Find Your Way Back—Beyond the Blue Dot

The blue dot can tell you where you are, but it can’t show you what you’re missing, help you imagine, get inspired, or create plan B, C, D, and E — and let’s be real, it doesn’t work in some of the best places.

That’s why we make Purple Lizard Maps the real way: by getting outside, walking the land and exploring.  Because adventure isn’t just about finding your way, it’s about finding your way back to what matters.

When you unfold a Lizard Map, you’re not just holding a navigation tool — you’re opening up a world of possibility. Every contour line, trail marker, and little green patch tells a story of connection: to the land, to the communities around it, and to yourself.

For over 25 years, we’ve been mapping the Mid-Atlantic’s most extraordinary outdoor destinations from Pennsylvania’s deep forests and rocky ridges to Maryland’s mountain lakes and Virginia’s National Parks. Along the way, we’ve learned that the best adventures don’t start on screens—they start when you decide to explore beyond the blue dot.

Inspiration From the Lizard Community

Many of you already know this, you’ve unfolded your own Lizard Maps on trailheads, picnic tables, and car hoods, tracing lines and planning adventures sitting by the fire, or over a cold beer or a hot coffee at your kitchen table.

You’ve told us about the places these maps have led you, the trails you didn’t mean to find, and most importantly, the stories that unfolded along the way.

“Our Purple Lizard Maps have taken us on many adventures throughout Pennsylvania. We’ve discovered new areas and trails we didn’t even know existed.”
— Steve, Pennsylvania

“Whenever I’m planning a ride, hike, or backpacking trip, I start with a Lizard Map. It’s the best way to see the big picture.”
— Jason, West Virginia

Sometimes, your stories literally stop us in our tracks - like this one from Bethany Phillips, who wrote recently to tell us:

“A few weeks ago, my fiancé and I hiked all the way to the rocks at the very top of Seneca. We have quite the collection of Purple Lizard Maps — all of which are held in a map holder in our garage. We’ve been making our way to see different purple lizards over the last two years, and the next on our list was Seneca. All the way at the top, after many attempts by me to turn around and go back down, my now fiancé proposed. I wanted to share this photo, because not only do we get to spend many more years together searching for purple lizards, we also now know the maps make fantastic backdrops for engagement ring photos.”

Bethany and her fiancé’s engagement at Seneca Rocks is proof that Lizard Maps lead to all kinds of special adventures.

These and countless other stories we get from you every week, remind us that these maps don’t just lead people to trails, they create moments that last a lifetime.

Every Lizard Map is designed to make that discovery easier.

You’ll find hiking and biking trails, waterfalls, scenic overlooks, small-town coffee shops, trailheads, campgrounds, and all those hidden Lizard Spots that make each region unique. Whether you’re road-tripping, bikepacking, or just heading out for a short afternoon hike, a Lizard Map opens up more options than you ever imagined.

Everyone has a favorite map, the one that’s folded and refolded, a little weathered at the edges, with stories written between the contour lines. Maybe it’s the map that led you to your first waterfall or the trail you didn’t mean to find. Maybe it’s the one that got you a little lost — in the best way.

That’s what we love about Lizard Maps: they become part of your story.

They hold the memory of every adventure, every wrong turn, every vista that stopped you in your tracks. A Lizard Map is made to live that kind of life — field-tested, coffee proof, trail-tested, and always ready for what’s next.

Of course we use digital tools too, (and Lizard maps are available digitally), but we make and use real world Lizard maps because they offer something really important digital tools can’t: a bigger, more beautiful, more nuanced, in-depth perspective. They show how everything connects: forests, roads, rivers, towns. They invite you to see what’s around the bend, to notice what others pass by, and to find your own path.

Of course, beyond the blue dot is also more practical. Each Lizard Map is waterproof, field-tested, never needs batteries and is built to last: because we know your adventures are too, and the outdoor adventure story can by windy and unexpected.

If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out 15 Ways Lizard Maps Make Every Adventure Better or take a moment to read An Ode to My Favorite Map. Each story captures the spirit of what we do, helping people discover, connect, explore, and protect the places they love.

Why Lizard Maps Make Every Adventure Better

• Waterproof & field-tested durability
• Highlights public lands, local gems, and real adventure
• Designed by cartographers who explore the landscape, connect with locals, and meet with land managers - to get it right!
• Opens doors to hundreds of free outdoor experiences

So this fall, when the world feels a little too loud, step outside, grab your Lizard Map, and find your way back: back to connection, back to something real, and back to yourself.

Explore Maps & Plan Your Next Adventure 
Real Gear for Real Adventures — The New Lizard Trail Cap + Fleece Cap