Activities for Kids
15 Ways Purple Lizard Maps Make Every Adventure Better
Purple Lizard Maps aren't just tools — they're gateways to adventure. Designed for those who truly value the outdoors, these award-winning maps offer the big picture, incredible detail, and real-world reliability that apps can't match. Explore 15 ways Purple Lizard Maps make outdoor adventures better — from field-verified accuracy and public land detail to elevation insight, local lore, and the unmatched big-picture view. Discover why award-winning Lizard Maps are the trusted choice for outdoor explorers.
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Explore Deep Creek - Savage River with Purple Lizard Maps
Looking for somewhere new to explore this season? Check out the Deep Creek Lake - Savage River State Forest Map. As an award-winning outdoor recreation map company, Purple Lizard Maps continues to set the standard in cartography with this exciting new release. Get ready to explore one of Maryland's most stunning outdoor playgrounds with a map designed to inspire your next adventure!
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Mom’s Camping 101
If you are starting from scratch and need gear, don’t fall for the myth that you need a ton of specialized gear to have a great time enjoying the outdoors. Most of what you need is already in your home. Think about what you need to keep your children happy at home and ask yourself if they will need it when you camp. No need to pack up your entire kitchen, or break the bank on specialized equipment.
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A Weekend in Cook Forest
The Forest Cathedral, brings back memories of childhood camping in the Sierras. The Cathedral, found in the heart of Cook Forest State Park, is Pennsylvania’s largest and is a registered national natural landmark. Multiple different species of trees reside here, reaching 150 years old.
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Let the blooms begin! Wildflower season is here
This symphony of floral blooms begins in May and continues throughout the summer with blooms of all shapes, sizes and colors. Some flowers are fleeting and others last much longer, but spring, with its sudden explosion of flowers is the perfect time to notice these wonderful little adventure companions.
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A Simple Way to Start Your Spring Adventures
Throughout the winter, the thousands of miles of state forest gravel roads are often inaccessible in the Mid-Atlantic Region. As spring thaw unfolds, outdoor adventurers of any speed can once again dive deeper into the forest to explore. Start planning your spring outdoor adventures with these tips today. Adventure is for every body!
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Winter Hiking with Kids - Tips and Tricks
We’ve all been there before: You got a late start, the kids fell asleep in the car, lunches are somehow insufficient and the kids are still hungry, and now you’re in the middle of the weather you planned to miss by leaving early. It happens to the best of us!
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Mountain biking at Herrington Manor State Park, Deep Creek MD
Mountain biking at Herrington Manor State Park in western Maryland feels like pedaling through a postcard. The seasons change and the trails “are just so beautiful today”... everyday. The appeal of riding here is how forgiving the terrain can be for beginners yet still fun for regulars; it’s perfect for a mixed crew to ride together and finish the day smiling. The trail system at Herrington Manor is our go-to for welcoming rides that are an absolute blast. It’s flowy singletrack with a few roots and rocks and perfect for the women’s ride vibe. You can scale it up or keep it mellow but it’s always a good time.
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Sinking into Summer in Loyalsock
Loyalsock is one of our go-to choices when we are looking for somewhere to unwind away from the world. There is something magical about this forest. Perhaps it is the fact that "Worlds End" is literally a place name in this forest, or perhaps it's the fact that in the era of overstimulation with technology and news and. . . well everything, this is one of those increasingly rare, beautiful places where for the most part you won't have cell service.
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A Summer Evening on the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail
Take a summer evening family ride along the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail - a lovely stretch of rail trail that runs between Mifflinburg PA and Lewisburg PA. If you are in Central Pennsylvania and are looking for a quick, family friendly rail trail ride to get your wheels under you and your crew this summer, this is a great option.
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Gearing Up - to Hike with Kids
In an age of seemingly perpetual “screen-time,” I find it more and more important to make time to introduce my son to nature. I am so lucky to have parents who made sure I lived a life rich with outdoor experience, (although back in my day, electronics weren’t such a big deal), and now more than ever, I want that for my son too.
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Cycling into the Future – So Many Bikes So Little Time
Whether you are a seasoned rider looking for new adventures or just dusted off your old mountain bike and and are looking to find some trails for the first time, you might consider experimenting with new ways to explore on two wheels this season. If so, this blog is for you.
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