I recently returned from a trip to the Malberg area using a Mckenzie map I had from 2012 and a brand new map of the area from True North. True North, as well as this site, shows 2 portages into Bow lake while the old map does not. WE spent signifiacnt time seraching for both. Further research on these 2 portages upon return indicates that neither exist.

So my questions are:
1. Where do all the mapmakers get their data? Same source?
2. My assumption is that no new campsites are being created outside of a few that are closed due to bears, weather, etc. and no new portages are being created so the data more or less remains static for years? Is there any value on getting new maps for every trip?

Rare to create new campsites. There is a FS website that shows closed campsites in the fire areas.....but it hasnt been updated in years as far as I know. My buddy Kip could not find that other Bow portage either earlier this year. I think even when it existed, it barely existed.

I know that a few years ago they opened a couple new campsites on Lake One and closed a couple others. On my most recent McKenzie map they are shown and the closed ones are Xed out.
Almost everyone who’s been on more than a couple trips has seen portages marked in the wrong places.

Campsites seem like they're rarely, if ever changed barring a fire. Portages as well unless there's an improvement or something. Beaver activity (or lack of) tends to change portages more than the actual trail getting moved...but your map probably won't reflect that anyway.

I take multiple map brands and compare the two, sometimes they match and sometimes campsites and portages are shown in slightly different areas. One of them will usually be correct

All I can say is my Mackenzies for Clearwater & Pine Lakes, that general area, several campsites' dots are either in the wrong spot or outright missing.

One would think that somewhere out there is an accurate database of coordinates for all the campsites, but that's probably a pipe dream.

I have thought on several occasions its the registration or alignment if a traditional multi-color printing process. In particular the red was offset iirc, putting portages and camp sites off a little.

Most of my maps are from the eighties, I’ve never considered updating them.

jwartman59: "Most of my maps are from the eighties, I’ve never considered updating them."

You don’t mark a new campsite or a location change for a campsite or portage? My maps are full of little notes like that. I keep a red sharpie and a pen in my map case.

EDIT: By “updating”, you may have meant buying new maps. Sorry for jumping to conclusions.

We did a refresh this year on all campsites on the online maps against the most recent forest service data. There are bound to be some inaccuracies in the FS data, online maps, and paper maps. It is good to check multiple sources.

While most details are static, I have run across several spots where maps and reality diverge.

My first experience with that issue was on Hazel Lake. Maps then showed 3 campsites on the lake. There was an empty spot in the woods where there should have been a campsite, but there was no fire grate or latrine. Now maps show only 2 campsites.

Other spots I can remember are:

Forest Service moved the entire portage from south of the creek to the north side between Rush and Little Rush.

I think there is a newer portage between Boze and Frond that created 1 portage from the two.

The paddle (and portages) between Square and Kawasachong Lakes is much different now than when I first paddled it almost 20 years ago. The same is true for sections of the Phoebe River. Any river paddle is subject to change due to beaver activity.

The Forest Service has rerouted a portion of the portage between Kelly and Burnt Lakes. Also a portion of the south end of the Lujenida/Zenith portage has been rerouted. The landings have not changed, but the routes in between are different now.

So while these changes are infrequent, they do happen. I know that some like to go and fly by the seat of their pants while they trip. I find that researching my route is part of the fun and anticipation of the trip. The maps feature here, helps with some of that. I heard about the route changes near Sawbill Lake from the outfitter. While I have become mostly self-sufficient for tripping, I like to spend time with the outfitter to pick up details like these.