GIS Data Sources & Geospatial Data Resources

⭐ Best One-Stop Data Sources

• USGS Data Products Hub Best FederalLinks to The National Map, EarthExplorer, ScienceBase, NHD, and every USGS data program
• Data.gov — Federal Open Data Portal PrimaryThe U.S. Government's open data portal — thousands of geospatial datasets from all federal agencies
• ArcGIS Hub — Open Data Portals Huge CatalogThousands of city, county, and state open data portals built on ArcGIS Hub — search any topic or location
• Natural Earth Data Top PickFree vector and raster map data at 1:10m, 1:50m, 1:110m — the gold standard for cartographic basemap data
• OpenStreetMap (OSM) FreeCommunity-built global map dataset; downloadable in GIS formats via GeoFabrik and other mirrors
• GeoFabrik OSM Data ExtractsFree regional OSM downloads in shapefile and PBF format for every country and region worldwide
• DIVA-GIS Country DataFree copyright-free country shapefiles — roads, elevation, land cover, climate, population
• GADM — Global Administrative BoundariesDetailed administrative boundary data for every country, downloadable by administrative level
• ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World ESRICurated authoritative global GIS content — demographics, imagery, boundaries, real-time feeds
• Overture Maps Foundation New 2024Open map data from Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and TomTom — high-quality POI, buildings, transportation, and boundaries
• GeoSeer — Geospatial Data Search EngineSearch engine specifically for geospatial data and WMS/WFS services worldwide

Primary USGS Data Portals

• The National Map Downloader Best USGS ToolDownload topo maps, elevation, hydrography, transportation, structures, and boundaries for any U.S. area
• USGS EarthExplorer Imagery PortalSearch and download Landsat, aerial photography, ASTER, MODIS — free after free registration
• USGS ScienceBase Data CatalogCatalog of USGS scientific data and publications — thousands of downloadable datasets
• National Hydrography Dataset (NHD)The complete national stream, river, lake, and waterbody dataset
• 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) LiDARNational LiDAR and elevation data — high-res point clouds and DEMs for the entire U.S.
• GNIS — Geographic Names Information SystemOfficial federal authority for domestic geographic names and gazetteer data
• USGS Earthquake Hazards DataReal-time and historical seismic data, fault lines, and hazard maps
• USGS Water Resources (NWIS)National water information — streamflow, groundwater levels, water quality, and more
• USGS Mineral Resources DataGeochemistry, mines, mineral deposits, and geologic unit data
• USGS GAP — Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)National database of protected lands — parks, refuges, conservation easements
• National Map Advanced ViewerInteractive web viewer for all National Map data layers
• USGS EROS — Earth Resources ObservationComplete archive of satellite and aerial imagery — Landsat 1 through 9, aerial photography since 1930s

NOAA GIS Data & Services

• NOAA Digital Coast Data Viewer Top PickCoastal data — land cover, LiDAR, sea level, flood zones, socioeconomic data for coastal communities
• NOAA NCEI — Climate and Data MapsNational Centers for Environmental Information — historical climate data, storm events, bathymetry
• NOAA National Weather Service GIS DataWeather zones, county warning areas, CWAs, watch/warning polygons — downloadable
• NOAA ETOPO Global Elevation and BathymetryUpdated global elevation and ocean depth grids — replacement for the old NGDC ETOPO pages
• NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer DataCoastal inundation mapping data for climate planning — widely used in 2026
• NOAA GSHHS Shoreline DatabaseHigh-resolution global shoreline data — still a standard reference for cartography
• NOAA Bathymetric Data ViewerOcean floor data, multibeam sonar, tracklines, and coastal charts
• NOAA Natural Hazards GIS DataTsunamis, hurricanes, storm surge, and other hazard GIS data

NASA Earthdata and Imagery

• NASA Earthdata Portal Primary HubThe main portal for all NASA satellite data — MODIS, Sentinel, ASTER, VIIRS, GPM, SMAP, and hundreds more
• NASA Earthdata SearchSearch and download any NASA satellite dataset by location, date, and instrument
• NASA Visible Earth — Blue MarbleGlobal imagery composites including the famous Blue Marble — high-resolution, free to download
• SRTM — Shuttle Radar Topography Mission30m global DEM from NASA and NGA — the foundation of most global elevation datasets
• NASA Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)Comprehensive metadata directory for Earth science and GIS datasets
• NASA FIRMS — Active Fire and Wildfire Data WildfireNear real-time fire data from MODIS and VIIRS — download as shapefiles, GeoJSON, or KML
• NASA LP DAAC — Land Processes Data CenterMODIS, ASTER, VIIRS land products — land cover, vegetation, surface temperature data
• NASA Earth ObservatorySatellite imagery and scientific data visualizations — many datasets downloadable
• NASA POWER — Meteorological DataSolar and meteorological data for renewable energy and climate applications

ESRI and ArcGIS Platform Data

• ArcGIS Hub — Open Data Huge CatalogThousands of city, county, state, and federal open data portals on ArcGIS Hub — searchable by topic or location
• ArcGIS Living Atlas BrowserAuthoritative datasets curated by ESRI — basemaps, demographics, imagery, real-time feeds
• ESRI Open Data InitiativeESRI's index of open GIS data published by governments and organizations on ArcGIS platforms

Major Cloud Data Platforms

• AWS Open Data — USGS 3DEP LiDAR CloudLiDAR point cloud data hosted on Amazon S3 — access programmatically or via the AWS console
• Microsoft Planetary Computer Catalog Cloud APICloud-native access to petabytes of Earth observation data — Landsat, Sentinel, MODIS, NAIP and more
• Google Earth Engine Data Catalog APIHundreds of Earth observation datasets accessible via GEE's cloud analysis platform
• STAC — SpatioTemporal Asset CatalogOpen standard for discovering satellite imagery catalogs — used by most modern imagery providers

• Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles EssentialEvery U.S. administrative boundary — states, counties, tracts, block groups, roads, water, ZIP codes
• Census Data API APIAccess all ACS, decennial, and economic survey data via REST API — joinable to TIGER geographies
• Census Data Explorer MapInteractive mapping of ACS, decennial, and economic census data by geography
• Cartographic Boundary FilesSimplified TIGER boundaries for mapping — smaller, faster file sizes
• NHGIS — National Historical GISCensus data and GIS boundary files from 1790 to present — free with registration
• Social ExplorerHistorical census mapping back to 1790 — powerful tool (some free, some subscription)

• USGS EarthExplorer Best Free SourceLandsat 1-9, ASTER, aerial photography — free to download after free account registration
• Copernicus Open Access Hub — SentinelFree Sentinel-1 SAR and Sentinel-2 optical imagery — 10m resolution, global, recent and archive
• Microsoft Planetary ComputerLandsat, Sentinel, NAIP, MODIS — cloud-native access via Python and STAC
• Landsat Collection 2Radiometrically calibrated Landsat archive — the most widely used free satellite dataset in history
• USDA NAIP Aerial PhotographyNational Agriculture Imagery Program — 1m resolution aerial photos of the continental U.S.
• OpenAerialMapCommunity-contributed open aerial imagery from drones and planes worldwide

• USGS 3DEP — 3D Elevation Program Best U.S. LiDARNational LiDAR — 1m to 10m DEMs covering most of the U.S.; point clouds available for download
• National Map Downloader — ElevationDownload 1/3 arc-second, 1 arc-second, and 2 arc-second DEMs nationwide
• NASA SRTM — Shuttle Radar Topography Mission30m global DEM covering 80% of Earth's land surface — a foundational dataset
• Copernicus DEM (COP-DEM)Very high quality global DEM at 30m and 90m — derived from TanDEM-X radar data
• CGIAR-CSI SRTM 90m DEMProcessed and void-filled global SRTM data — 90m resolution, easy tile-based download
• Viewfinder Panoramas DEMsSRTM voids filled using accurate topographic mapping — great for terrain cartography
• OpenTopography CommunityPortal for high-resolution LiDAR datasets — free cloud processing tools included
• USGS LiDAR on AWS CloudLiDAR point cloud data on Amazon Web Services for programmatic access
• JAXA ALOS World 3D (AW3D30)30m global DEM from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency — free for research use

• National Hydrography Dataset (NHD)Complete national stream and water network
• National Wetlands Inventory (NWI)U.S. Fish and Wildlife wetlands data
• USGS NWIS Water DataStreamflow, groundwater, water quality
• FEMA Flood Maps (NFHL)FIRM flood insurance rate maps as GIS data
• EPA WATERS Geospatial DataWatershed boundaries and water quality data
• NOAA Bathymetry DataOcean floor and coastal water depth data
• JRC Global Surface WaterGlobal surface water occurrence 1984–present
• NRCS Geospatial Data GatewayWatershed boundaries and soils

• BTS — National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD) ComprehensiveAll transportation modes — roads, rail, airports, ports, pipelines — as GIS layers
• National Highway Planning Network (NHPN) — FHWAFederal highway network for planning and analysis
• FTA National Transit Database with GISTransit agency data with geographic routing and stop data
• FAA VFR Charts and Aeronautical DataAviation sectional charts and airport GIS data
• TransitFeeds — GTFS DataGlobal transit feed repository — bus, rail, ferry GTFS files with geographic stop data
• OpenRailwayMapGlobal railway network from OpenStreetMap — downloadable

• NLCD — National Land Cover Database30m land cover for all U.S. updated regularly
• USDA Forest Inventory and AnalysisNational forest data and tree canopy cover
• EPA Geospatial DataBrownfields, Superfund, air quality, watersheds
• National Park Service GIS DataPark boundaries, trails, facilities, and more
• BLM Geospatial Data and ToolsFederal land status, grazing, minerals, recreation
• USFWS GIS DataWildlife refuges, critical habitat, species data
• GeoMAC Wildfire Data WildfireActive wildfire perimeters and historical fire boundaries
• NRCS Geospatial Data GatewaySoils (SSURGO), climate, watershed, and land use
• Protected Planet (WDPA)World Database on Protected Areas — global polygons
• Global Forest WatchNear real-time deforestation and forest cover data
• NRCS Web Soil SurveyDetailed soil maps downloadable as shapefiles
• CA Regional Water Quality Control BoardCA water quality and watershed data

• NOAA NCEI Climate DataHistorical climate, storm events, temperature records
• NOAA Climate.gov MapsPrecipitation, temperature, drought maps as data
• National Drought Monitor GIS DataWeekly drought status as downloadable shapefiles
• PRISM Climate Data (Oregon State)High-resolution gridded U.S. climate data
• NASA FIRMS Wildfire DataNear real-time active fire locations — global coverage
• TerraClimate Global DataMonthly global climate and water balance data
• NOAA Sea Level Rise DataCoastal inundation mapping for planning
• NOAA HYSPLIT Trajectory ModelAtmospheric particle trajectory with geographic output

Most states now maintain active GIS portals on ArcGIS Hub or similar platforms. Many link to county-level data as well.

• Alaska AGDC DatasetsAlaska Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
• Arizona ALRISAZ Land Resource Information System
• California Open Data GIS PortalComprehensive CA state GIS datasets
• CAL FIRE FRAP GIS DataCA fire, vegetation, and ownership data
• Connecticut MAGICMap and Geographic Information Center
• Cornell CUGIR — NY DataNY state geospatial data repository
• Florida FGDLFlorida Geographic Data Library
• Hawaii Statewide GIS ProgramOfficial Hawaii GIS data portal
• Louisiana GIS Atlas (LSU)Statewide Louisiana GIS data
• Maine Office of GISMaine GIS data catalog
• Maryland iMAP GIS PortalMaryland's GIS open data portal
• Massachusetts MassGISMA Bureau of Geographic Information
• Michigan GICMichigan GIS data portal
• Minnesota Geospatial CommonsExcellent MN open data portal
• Montana NRISMontana Natural Resource Information System
• New Hampshire GRANITNH geospatial data clearinghouse
• New Jersey NJGIN Open DataNJ Geographic Information Network
• New Mexico RGISNM Resource Geographic Information System
• New York State GIS ProgramNYS GIS clearinghouse and data portal
• North Carolina OneMapNC statewide GIS portal
• Rhode Island GISRI Environmental Data Center GIS
• Texas TNRISTX Natural Resources Info System
• Utah AGRCUT Automated Geographic Reference Center
• Vermont VCGIVermont Center for Geographic Information
• Virginia VGINVA Geographic Information Network
• Washington State GISWashington Geospatial Open Data Portal
• Wisconsin SCO Geospatial DataWI state cartographer's office
• Oregon ExplorerOR statewide GIS data portal

State DOTs are excellent sources for roads, bridges, transit, and infrastructure GIS data. Most now link to open data portals from their main sites.

• Alabama DOT (ALDOT)
• Alaska DOT (ADOT)
• Arizona DOT GIS
• Arkansas AHTD
• California Caltrans GIS
• Colorado DOT (CDOT)
• Connecticut ConnDOT
• Delaware DOT GIS
• DC DOT (DDOT)
• Florida DOT GIS
• Georgia DOT (GDOT)
• Hawaii DOT (HDOT)
• Idaho DOT GIS
• Illinois DOT GIS
• Indiana DOT GIS
• Iowa DOT Maps
• Kansas DOT (KDOT) GIS
• Kentucky DOT GIS
• Louisiana DOTD
• Maine DOT GIS
• Maryland DOT GIS
• Massachusetts DOT GIS
• Michigan DOT GIS
• Minnesota DOT GIS Lab
• Missouri DOT GIS
• Montana DOT GIS
• Nebraska DOT GIS
• Nevada DOT GIS
• New Hampshire DOT
• New Jersey DOT GIS
• North Carolina DOT GIS
• North Dakota DOT GIS
• Ohio DOT GIS
• Oregon DOT GIS
• Pennsylvania PennDOT
• Rhode Island DOT GIS
• South Carolina DOT GIS
• South Dakota DOT GIS
• Texas DOT GIS
• Utah DOT (UDOT) GIS
• Vermont Agency of Transportation
• Virginia DOT GIS
• Washington DOT GIS
• West Virginia DOT
• Wisconsin DOT GIS
• Wyoming DOT

The USFS GeoPlatform is now the primary source for national forest GIS data — replacing individual forest data pages. Individual forest links below are for direct contact and region-specific info.

• USFS ArcGIS Open Data Hub Start HereUSFS open geospatial data — roads, trails, boundaries, timber, recreation, fire, watersheds for all forests
• USFS GeoPlatform — Primary GIS Data HubMain USFS geospatial data gateway replacing individual forest download pages

Pacific Southwest — CA, HI (Region 5)

• Angeles NF — Arcadia, CA
• Cleveland NF — San Diego, CA
• Eldorado NF — Placerville, CA
• Inyo NF — Bishop, CA
• Klamath NF — Yreka, CA
• Lake Tahoe Basin MU
• Lassen NF — Susanville, CA
• Los Padres NF — Goleta, CA
• Mendocino NF — Willows, CA
• Modoc NF — Alturas, CA
• Plumas NF — Quincy, CA
• San Bernardino NF
• Sequoia NF — Porterville, CA
• Shasta-Trinity NF — Redding
• Sierra NF — Clovis, CA
• Six Rivers NF — Eureka, CA
• Stanislaus NF — Sonora, CA
• Tahoe NF — Nevada City, CA

Pacific Northwest — WA, OR (Region 6)

• Region 6 Office — Portland, OR
• Colville NF — WA
• Deschutes NF — Bend, OR
• Fremont-Winema NFs — OR
• Gifford Pinchot NF — WA
• Malheur NF — John Day, OR
• Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF — WA
• Mt Hood NF — Gresham, OR
• Olympic NF — Olympia, WA
• Umpqua NF — Roseburg, OR
• Umatilla NF — Pendleton, OR
• Willamette NF — Eugene, OR
• Wenatchee NF — WA

Intermountain (NV, UT, ID, WY) & Northern (MT, ID) Regions

• Ashley NF — Vernal, UT
• Boise NF — Boise, ID
• Bridger-Teton NF — Jackson, WY
• Caribou-Targhee NF — ID
• Dixie NF — Cedar City, UT
• Humboldt-Toiyabe NF — NV
• Manti-La Sal NF — Price, UT
• Sawtooth NF — Twin Falls, ID
• Wasatch-Cache NF — Salt Lake City, UT
• Flathead NF — Kalispell, MT
• Gallatin NF — Bozeman, MT
• Clearwater NF — Orofino, ID

Southwest (AZ, NM) & Rocky Mountain (CO, WY) Regions

• Apache-Sitgreaves NF — AZ
• Coconino NF — Flagstaff, AZ
• Coronado NF — Tucson, AZ
• Gila NF — Silver City, NM
• Tonto NF — Phoenix, AZ
• Santa Fe NF — NM
• Arapaho-Roosevelt NF — Fort Collins, CO
• White River NF — Glenwood Springs, CO
• San Juan NF — Durango, CO

• Natural Earth DataBest global basemap vector data — free
• GADM Global Admin BoundariesAdmin polygons for all countries by level
• DIVA-GIS Country DataFree shapefiles for every country worldwide
• GeoNames Gazetteer11M+ global place names with coordinates
• GEOnet Names Server (GNS)Official U.S. govt foreign geographic names
• UN Geospatial — Official UN MapsUN cartographic division and global boundary data
• Geoscience AustraliaAustralian national geospatial datasets
• European Environment Agency GISEU land cover, climate, water, biodiversity data
• Eurostat GISCO Boundary DataOfficial EU administrative boundaries and regions
• WorldPop — Global Population Data100m gridded population estimates every country
• International Steering Committee for Global MappingGlobal map data from national agencies worldwide

Most large U.S. cities now have open data portals — many with extensive GIS datasets. Also check ArcGIS Hub by searching your city name.

• LA County GIS Data PortalExtensive county-wide GIS data
• City of Los Angeles Open DataLarge catalog of LA city GIS layers
• San Francisco Open DataComprehensive SF GIS datasets
• DC Open Data (DCGIS)Excellent DC geospatial data catalog
• NYC Open Data — GISNYC Dept of City Planning and more
• Seattle Open DataCity of Seattle GIS datasets
• Chicago GIS Data PortalCity of Chicago geospatial open data
• Portland OR — RLIS DataMetro Portland regional land information
• King County WA Open GISExtensive regional GIS datasets
• San Diego Open DataCity of San Diego GIS layers
• Maricopa County AZ Open DataPhoenix metro area GIS datasets
• Austin TX GIS PortalCity of Austin geospatial open data

• Overture Maps FoundationHigh-quality open POI, buildings, roads
• JRC Global Human Settlement LayerGlobal urban extent, population grids
• SEDAC Socioeconomic DataColumbia Univ global socioeconomic datasets
• GBIF — Global Biodiversity Data1.7 billion occurrence records with coordinates
• OpenAddressesOpen global address database
• World Resources Institute DataGlobal forests, water, climate, agriculture
• UNEP GRID — Global Resource Info DBUN Environment Programme global data
• JRC Global Surface WaterSurface water occurrence 1984–present

University GIS programs frequently publish data clearinghouses and research datasets. Use the university name plus "GIS data" to find current pages.

• USC Spatial Sciences InstituteGIS research and data at USC
• UCSB Geography and NCGIANational Center for Geographic Information
• Cornell CUGIRNY Geospatial data repository
• UC Berkeley Geodata RepositoryOpen-access geospatial dataset library
• UT Austin GIS Data GuideComprehensive GIS data resource guide
• Columbia University GISGIS data and services at Columbia
• UW Seattle GIS Data GuideUniversity of Washington GIS resources
• University of Oregon GeographyUO Geography dept GIS programs
• Univ. of Edinburgh GeoSciencesScottish GIS research programs
• Univ. of Zurich GeographySwiss GIS research — GIUZ