Exploring
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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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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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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Beat The Heat: Six Ways to Stay Cool On Summer Hikes
Summer can get pretty darn hot these days, and here in the Mid-Atlantic Region keeping the basics in mind when playing outside in the summer has become an absolute necessity.
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Explore Loyalsock State Forest in the PA Wilds
Loyalsock State Forest, located in the heart of the PA Wilds has just about everything that an outdoors lover could want. Waterfalls, vistas, trails, forest roads, swimming holes, historical relics, camping sites; this forest has it all!
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Gearing Up For A Winter Adventure
Winter is a fantastic time for fun in the outdoors, but small mistakes can add up to big problems for explorers who aren't prepared for winter weather.
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Exploring Cook Forest
Cook Forest will always be my favorite Pennsylvania state park. It has a great combination of “stuff for the kiddos,” good restaurants, many hiking trails, the Wild & Scenic Clarion River, historic sites from Native Americans, logging history, CCC history, and of course, one of the last remaining stands of “Penns Woods” that has been untouched for over 400 years.
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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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Loyalsock Trail - Finding Trust
I held my breath with each up and down, stopping every so often to let out some tears. The creek was rushing and beautiful this morning. The sun was bright, the sky was clear, and the temperature was perfect. Approaching the finish, I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. Before the last climb, I took one more glance at the water and smelled the pine that surrounded me. I will always belong out here. The forest took care of me this week, I will forever be thankful.
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