My first choice are usually USGS Topographic maps, but it can be hard to find a good selection of them locally. Here in Grand Junction our best source is a local mountaineering shop, but they can be hit or miss in terms of availability.
A. Because of that I found "The USGS Store". Not only can you find the quadrangles for the area you are interested in, but you can usually chose from 2 if not 3 versions of each quadrangle (hard copy) at their online store, and you can usually download a free full size PDF file of at least one version of each quadrangle. But the site can be a little confusing at first:
1. Go to Map Locator and Downloader
2. Zoom in in the state (or area) you are interested in (I'm serious... zoom in first)
3. Click on: "Don't display Footprints"… Then select: "7.5 and 15 minute"
4. Zoom in further until all quadrangle names are shown
5. Write down the the names of the quadrangles you need
6. Click "Go back to store" at top, then click "Maps" (under product catalog), then click "7.5 Minute maps".
7. On the new U.S. map, click on the state your quadrangles are in.
8. Now on the left find the alphabetical range of the your map title and click it
9. Set "products per page" to 25
10. Navigate thru the list until you find the desired map (There will usually be at least 2 versions) You can add to your cart right here (Repeat for all the other quadrangles in your set)... But…
11. You can also download a free full size PDF file of most of them: (doesn't work with " Content: Aerial Photograph;Contours;US Topo" types) Click on the map's name, then when the thumbnail comes up, click on the "image"… This will download a (full size) zipped PDF to your downloads file.
12. Open this file in your downloads, and print it either as a single page document, or using the "print poster" option, set it to a 6 sheet version and print… trim… and tape together.
B. I also like mytopo.com… Here you can customize exactly the area that you need topo-mapped, add shading if you like, and better yet, get it printed on waterproof and tear resistant paper…. And the 18" x 24" versions are just a little bit more expensive than the cheaper USGS quads. Just go to "Printed maps" and follow the step by step instructions. Here it is also helpful to search by quadrangle name...
You can also add "Game Managements Unit" boundaries, private and public land boundaries, and USFS and BLM boundaries... at an additional charge. And you can order your maps properly folded... "Yes Virginia, there is a proper way to fold a USGS Topo map."
C. National Geographic's "Trails Illustrated Maps" are really good too, though they only cover the most popular areas… here in Colorado there are a bunch (51), but for example in New Mexico There are only 2. These are not as detailed as USGS topos, but are far more up to date, and show many more hiking trails.
D. I'm also including this suggestion: Gmap4… This is a new "hybrid type" integration of "Google Earth" with "USGS topos"… It is still in development stage, but if you play around with it, you will find you can customize your maps and with the right browser print them out.
And then there are the phone apps…. Too many to even list, but one called "Topo Maps" ($7.99) is nice because you can download unlimited "USGS Quads" (for free with the paid app) at home and then you have a "digital copy" on your phone to use even when you have no cell or data signal.
P.S. I realized that because of this forum rule: "You may also NOT place affiliate, live or dead links for purposes of advertising or for any other purpose (other than when assisting a user) in any post or in your signature"... that the links I included may be in violation? I assure you, I have no affiliation with any of these sites, but because of this I am removing the links...
I will gladly re install them if Jason gives me the "go ahead".