How to Order - Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us via email or phone and tell us the name of the map, publication, or material you’re looking for. KGS will quote you a price and finalize the order over the phone.

• Email: KGS-PUB@lsv.uky.edu
• Phone: 859-257-5500

Please make an appointment to ensure the best service and availability if you plan to visit us. KGS does not have reserved visitor parking.

If an item is marked as "Out of Print," that means original copies are not available for purchase. However, if KGS has a digital copy of the publication, we are happy to print the item on demand for you from a PDF, and we offer comb binding upon request, for a small fee. Oversize publications may be reduced to 8.5x11, and maps will be printed at original dimensions up to 36x80 inches.

• USGS TopoViewer – Digital Maps

  This USGS tool is free to use and contains all archival and current topographic maps of the United States. Map files may be downloaded for free and printed at a local print shop. It is searchable by physical address, county/quad name, and latitude/longitude coordinates. Visit USGS TopoViewer.

• USGS Online Store – Paper Maps

  Paper copies of topographic maps can be ordered here, as well as U.S. Forest Service maps, hydrologic maps, extraterrestrial maps and more. USGS accepts online payments and will ship internationally. Visit USGS Online Map Store.

• Kentucky Geological Survey – Paper Maps

  The Kentucky Geological Survey will print Kentucky topographic maps for $15.00 each plus shipping and tax. Call or email for more information (see contact info above).

Please note: if you are seeking a topographic map for septic installation, you may submit a digital version. Search for your address on TopoViewer, download the map, and send it with your application. You do not need a paper copy.

• USGS Geologic MapView – Digital Maps

  A free, interactive online archive of geologic maps available for viewing and download. Map files may be printed at a local print shop. All KGS quadrangle maps are available through this tool. Visit USGS Geologic MapView.

• USGS National Geologic Map Database – Digital Maps

  Search the entire USGS geologic map collection using this page. All KGS geologic quadrangle maps, and more, are available through this interface. Downloadable map files may be printed at a local print shop. Search the National Geologic Map Database.

• Kentucky Geologic Map Service – Digital Maps

  An interactive tool showing Kentucky geology based on location created by the Kentucky Geological Survey. This map is responsive to scrolling and zooming, and is searchable by address, quadrangle name, etc. Contains links to scanned versions of paper quadrangle maps. Visit the KGS Geologic Map Service.

• USGS Online Store – Paper Maps

  Physical copies of geologic maps can be ordered here, as well as U.S. Forest Service maps, hydrologic maps, extraterrestrial maps and more. USGS accepts online payments and will ship internationally. Visit USGS Online Map Store.

• Kentucky Geological Survey – Paper Maps

  The Kentucky Geological Survey will print Kentucky geologic maps for $15.00 each plus shipping and tax. Call or email for more information (see contact info above).

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or personal checks made out to "KGS" or "Kentucky Geological Survey." We cannot accept cash payments. Kentucky State 6% sales tax is added to the total order cost (including shipping). If you are tax-exempt, please provide that information and certificate when you order.

We process credit or debit card payments over the phone. If you make an appointment for item pickup, we can accept cards in person. We do not save, share or store any personal payment information.

Most orders are shipped USPS, but if preferred (or if the volume of material requested is greater than what can be packed into a standard envelope), we will ship via UPS or FedEx. Standard shipping of oversized materials (charts, maps, etc) is folded in flat envelopes, but items may be requested to be shipped in tubes which cost more and will be delivered via FedEx.

Appointments are strongly advised to ensure customer service availability. Walk-in visitors cannot be guaranteed service anytime due to staff schedules. We highly recommend pre-ordering materials for pickup, due to the time-consuming nature of fulfilling orders, especially print-on-demand publications with many pages.

Please note that KGS does not provide parking passes nor reserve parking spots for visitors.