15 Ways Purple Lizard Maps Make Every Adventure Better

If you really love outdoor adventure, you know the value of an excellent map. One that doesn’t just show you where you are, but reveals the full story of the land around you. That’s what Purple Lizard Maps do best.

We build maps that help you see the entire landscape — ridges, valleys, trails, waterways, access points — all at once. It’s the big picture, created with precision, care, and deep local knowledge.

Whether you’ve been exploring public lands for years or are just getting started, Lizard Maps invite you in. With award-winning design and unmatched detail, they’re trusted by seasoned adventurers and welcoming to anyone ready to step off the screen and into the wild.

Our maps blend cartographic precision with local insight, artistic detail with on-the-ground experience — because you deserve a map as exceptional as the places you're exploring. We spend countless hours hiking, biking, paddling, and studying these landscapes so you don’t have to second-guess your route or wonder what’s around the next bend.

The result? Best-in-class accuracy and design that help you plan smarter, explore deeper, and feel more confident every step of the way.

See how we were honored for our work.

Are you still mostly a digital explorer? You can follow the blue dot with a Lizard Map, too — we’re available on Avenza and Hiker. You’ll get the same award-winning maps in your pocket, with the added benefit of expert-built accuracy that digital crowd-sourced maps can’t match.

But there’s still nothing like unfolding the full map, seeing the terrain in context, and planning your adventures with clarity, creativity, and confidence.

That’s why we make Purple Lizard Maps.

A Lizard Map is more than a map. It’s a beautifully designed, deeply researched, field-verified guide to public land and outdoor recreation. It shows you the big pictureand the best details. It works without batteries. It helps you understand where you are, how to get where you're going, and what else you might find along the way.

To help you explore even better than before, here are 15 ways Lizard Maps are built to help you make every adventure better.

1. Excellent Legends Lead to Legendary Adventures

Start here. The legend isn’t just for orientation—it’s full of hints about what your next adventure could be. From hiking-only trails to shared-use paths, from campsites to waterfalls, the legend helps you discover what’s out there, even before your boots hit the ground.

2. True North, Every Time

All our maps are oriented to true north, not magnetic. That means no confusion, no adjustment needed—just align your compass, and you're good to go. This design standard makes navigation intuitive and seamless. 

3. Align Your Map with the Terrain & Your Route/ Direction of Travel

At a trailhead or scenic overlook, rotate your map to match the land. When you do, everything lines up—mountains, ridge lines, rivers, roads. You’ll see where you are and muchmore importantly where you could go next - your Lizard Map shows you the big picture, and all of. your options.

4. Built for Weather and Wilderness

Our maps are printed on waterproof, synthetic paper designed to hold up through rain, sweat, folding, stuffing, and being dragged in and out of your pack. It won’t rip easily, and it certainly won’t vanish when the signal dies.

All of our almost-indestructible Lizard Maps are printed on a paper-like waterproof synthetic material. Purple Lizard Maps are not completely tear proof or fire proof. You can tear them if you try. Our maps don't make good fire starters.

Lizard Maps are completely waterproof. You can use them as a makeshift umbrella or tent patch, and they do float, but they are not suitable as a floatation device unless you are a grasshopper. Test yours out by going on an adventure in the elements and don't forget to tag us in your favorite Lizard Map in the wild shots @PurpleLizard.

Purple Lizard Maps are big.They measure 24 x 36 inches and include information on both sides of the map. There is a lot of public land to cover and we want you to get out and enjoy as much as possible. With that said, many of our maps overlap slightly so adventurers don't encounter any gaps of information!

5. Understand Distance at a Glance

Each map has a clear scale. For example, one inch on the Rothrock Lizard Map equals 0.6 miles on the ground. That lets you estimate your hike time, route options, or how far off the road that hidden vista really is.

6. Elevation = Insight

As any hiker, cyclist or weekend wanderer knows, elevation change is not a laughing matter. Knowing what the elevation change is before you set out can make or break an outdoor adventure - so here at Purple Lizard we take elevation very seriously.

Contour lines and shaded relief tell the story of the terrain. Are you heading up a steep ridge or cruising along a gentle grade? On most Lizard Maps, each contour line represents 50 feet of elevation change. Closely spaced lines = steep. Wide spacing = a mellow stroll.

Lizard Maps use contour lines and shaded relief to show elevation changes throughout the landscape. Contour lines are the squiggly lines, and shaded relief is the shadowy image behind the lines that looks like a soft airbrushed shadow. In combination, these two cartographic elements help you to understand how steep, or flat, an area is.

Most, but not all, Lizard Maps use 50 foot contour lines. What the heck does that mean?

Simply, the space in between every little squiggly contour line indicates an elevation change of 50 feet. The distance between two floors of a dwelling, maybe from your downstairs kitchen to your upstairs bedroom, is roughly 10 feet of elevation change. So, the space between each line on the image that you see below represents 5 stories. The closer the lines are together, the steeper the elevation.

But how can you tell how far it is on the map?  Again, we do our best to make it as simple as possible for you to calculate on the fly - the thicker contour lines are labelled with an elevation number, so  so you can use that and add or subtract the unlabelled lines to determine your elevation gain or loss. 

7. Ready for Compass or GPS

Lizard Maps include latitude and longitude (Lat/Lon) as well as Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) numbers and tic marks on the outer edge. 

For those who know, love and work with these grids for their adventuring - on a Lizard Map the UTM grid data is printed in magenta numbers and lat/lon is shown in black. 

Lat/Lon and UTM grids are for the serious map and adventure enthusiasts. Without getting too deep into the map weeds, these grids basically work as a universal location guide to help you know where you are on the planet.  

Deep in the map geek weeds note: Our maps do not have an internal grid or internal tic marks. For orienteering use or backcountry hikers navigating by compass, one can easily add such a grid or tics using a yardstick and a fine point permanent marker. Since the vast majority of our users don't need this grid, we avoid adding this visually noisy element. However, if you are attempting an off-trail hike in the backcountry, adding your own grid on the area you are exploring can be a helpful and fun way to reference your location and direction of travel.

8. Know Where to Go!

 

Know Where You Can Explore — and Where You Shouldn’t

Purple Lizard Maps clearly distinguish between public and private land, so you can adventure confidently and respectfully. Whether you're backpacking through public forest or taking a detour off trail, our maps help ensure you stay on legal ground. No more worrying if you’ve wandered into someone’s backyard — you’ll know exactly where you stand.

Choosing the Right Trail for Your Activity

Some trails are hiking-only. Others are open to biking, horses, or shared use. Our maps make that clear, using color-coded lines and easy-to-read design, so you can choose the right trail for the day—or for the crew you’re with. This is a super important piece of information that is often lacking on platforms for crowdsourced data. When you use a Lizard Map, you will always know what use is allowed on each trail you choose.

9. Go Beyond the Trail

Lizard Maps don’t just show designated paths—they give you the confidence to explore. If you're comfortable and well-prepared, you can bushwhack, scout, or find your own quiet place. Our maps show terrain, contour and access points so you can make informed decisions off trail.

10. Ride More, Worry Less/ Surface Information

When it comes to adventure on two wheels, nothing beats your Lizard Map for giving you all the info you need. Gravel rides, road rides, Rail Trails, or MTB trail systems—we highlight them all. Every Lizard Map includes detailed cycling information, including terrain type and road or trail surface, so you can plan smarter and ride farther.

Roads, Backroads & Byways

If you are looking for a more mellow cycling experience, there are thousands of miles of scenic and beautiful backcountry roads for the road cyclist on virtually every Purple Lizard Map.

Rail Trails

Rail Trails are fun for the whole family (photo by Ryan Michelle Scavo). They also present outstanding opportunities to explore on two wheels in beautiful remote places while enjoying a smooth surface.  

Gravel Riding

Gravel riding on the untold miles and miles of unpaved mostly gravel forest roads is another great way to experience the forest. You can find unpaved roads on your lizard map using your legend.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is very popular on all the areas we map but be aware that easy mountain biking trails are a bit like Big Foot - you may hear about them but spotting them is another thing entirely.  

Most of the Appalachian Mountains offer rough, rocky trails that mountain bikers refer to as 'technical trails'. These are prime challenges for intermediate and advanced riders but can be hike-a-bike slogs for novice trail riders. The Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake in Pennsylvania offer some of the best trail riding in the state, and those are called 'flow trails' because they are smooth and rock-free! 

E-Bikes 

All the types of riding above are increasingly available to those choosing e-bikes.  E-bike regulations are still uneven and rapidly evolving across the country. In the areas we map eBikes are often legal on most trails that traditional bicycles are legal on, but some exceptions exist. It is always a good idea to check out the local regulations in the area you plan to ride. 

11. Paddle, Fish, Explore

Water features aren’t just decoration. We map rivers, streams, lakes, and their access points so you can find paddling put-ins, fishing holes, or just a quiet spot to soak it all in.

Hydrography is mapspeak for water data, and luckily your Lizard Maps have the best there is for the water based explorers. Again, since we are real world mapmakerswho visit the landscapes we map, on your Lizard Maps you will find stream, creek, river, lake  (some maps also feature water depth info) as well as comprehensive and verified put in informationso you know where you can find a stream, dip your toes in to cool off, or put your boat in for some water adventures. Of course, like everything in the real world, water courses do change seasonally, but with your Lizard Map you will have a great tool for planning your water adventures.

12. Hit the Road (Less Traveled)

Looking for a scenic drive or a remote back road? Lizard Maps show paved roads, gravel roads, seasonal roads, and high-clearance-only tracks—so you don’t end up turning around at a gate or a washed-out ridge top.

 You can read more about driving adventures using Lizard Maps here.

The attention to detail and real world field work involved in our processallows Lizard Maps to delineate major paved roads, local paved roads, gravel/dirt roads, and 4wd roads with an accuracy not found on other maps.

We take the time to drive, walk, or ride almost all of the roads that appear on our maps and note the surfaces and the existence of gates and other trail management devices used by land managers in the areas we map. (Gates are the 'dumbbell' symbol that you notice at the beginning of some trails or dirt roads on your maps)

Why do we do this? Because you are exploring in the real world, and your maps need to show what is there.

In short - for you. First, you usually can't find this information on any other map. 

Second, so you don't end up on an unexpected dead end.

Third, so our non-motorized users can feel confident enjoying these roads without encountering a motorized vehicle. Gated roads are great dog walking roads! 

Note: we consider any manufactured barricade across a roadway as a gate on our maps. This includes modified trenches, mounds, boulders, and of course gates.

The image below highlights a small section of a working copy of our Dolly Sods-Seneca Rocks Map after a day of field work. Notice all of the gate symbols in black marker (the ones that look like dumbbells). 

13. Find the Perfect Campsite

Campgrounds, backcountry sites, primitive camping zones—they’re all noted. With a Lizard Map, you can plan where to spend the night and make sure you’re camping legally and responsibly. 

We show established campgrounds and campsite systems in each area, so you can easily plan your trip. Note that some forests require reservations in advance for camping, and we do our best to note this on the map and provide you information on how to obtain permits.

Note: While you may occasionally come across campsites we do not show there is probably a good reason.  We often chose not to include specific backpacking campsites and roadside campsites in primitive locations. Many of these sites are unofficial, meaning they are not maintained by land managers.

14. Chasing Purple Lizards & Lizard Seekers

What's the deal with all those tiny little lizards on your maps?

If you are not already a Lizard seeker (someone who spends a lot of time in the outdoors looking for special places)get ready - you might be about to become slightly obsessed. 

Look closely and you’ll spot small purple lizard icons on the map. These are special spots we think are worth checking out—not tourist traps, but little surprises: views, swimming holes, quirky landmarks. It’s our way of saying: hey, you might love this place too.

Because its fun and because it's just a big part of who we are, we left some breadcrumbs for you along the way as we spent our countless hours making your Lizard Map and we just had to give you some hints to some of the cool stuff we found.  So, we put tiny purple lizards at special places for you to discover.

 

As the Map legend states, our little Purple Lizards "could mean anything."

 Basically, we thought there was something special there and you may just want to check it out. Sometimes these little lizards land in locations with no trail, but with a little research you should be able to figure out how to get to them.

(A Lizard Spot that you can drive right up to)

Some are easy to get to, along a roadside or a short hike in, and others take considerable effort and skill to reach.

Whether you are seeking the lizards on the map or discovering your own special places along the way, the most important thing is to get out there and explore.

15. Expand Your Sense of Place - Connect with the Landscape

Lizard Maps also include unique details that help you connect more deeply with the landscape — from local lore and cultural landmarks to historical context and subtle terrain features. We include points of interest that aren’t just scenic, but significant. These stories and insights, gathered from years of exploration and community knowledge, invite you into the deeper narrative of the place you're standing in.

More than anything, a Lizard Map helps you understand the landscape, not just follow a route. You see the valleys and ridgelines, the watersheds and forests. You don’t just get from point A to B. You get a sense of what makes a place special.

With a Lizard Map, you see the big picture: the full landscape, all your options, and everything in context.

Because adventure is more than a line on a screen.It’s understanding the place you're in — and choosing your own path and making your own adventure. 

That’s the difference. That’s the Lizard way.

BONUS: The Purple Lizard Maps Community

And finally, one of the best parts of using a Lizard Map  the Purple Lizard Maps Community that comes with it.

Lizard Maps are carried into wild places, passed between friends, shared across generations, and posted proudly in trip reports and journals. The Purple Lizard community is full of incredible folks who love to explore, protect, and celebrate the outdoors.

Whether you're summiting a peak, soaking in a quiet overlook, or biking into the forest with your favorite people, we hope you’ll share your story and inspire others.

Tag @purplelizardmaps on Instagram or Facebook, and let the Lizard community adventure with you.