Lizard Adventure Blog
May 21, 2026
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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May 21, 2026
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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Mar 25, 2026
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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A Taste of Michaux Forest, PA: Cabin Camping, Climbing, Cycling, Hiking All In One Weekend
Michaux State Forest, less than 3 hours from Philly, Pittsburgh, D.C., and 2 hours from Baltimore, MD and State College, PA, offers something for everyone: Over 85,000 acres of public land loaded with biking and hiking trails (over 300 miles of hiking and over 250 miles of shared use), great climbing crags, cross country ski trails, 40 miles of the Appalachian Trail, plus Caledonia, Mont Alto, Kings Gap, Pine Grove Furnace State Parks. Michaux is just waiting for you to explore!
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Hike To Four Waterfalls in Ohiopyle State Park, PA
There are plenty of waterfalls to see in and around Ohiopyle State Park. We've listed four of these waterfalls below (plus a few post-hike bonus waterfalls), all of which are accessible via a nice 5-mile hiking loop.
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Rincón, Puerto Rico – Caribbean Romance Awaits
Rincón Puerto Rico is the perfect romantic getaway! Just enough off the beaten path with everything you and your lover need to make memories to last a lifetime. Beaches, sunsets, romantic dinners, and all the adventure options you desire.
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Winter Wonderland: Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia
Lizard seeker Eriks Perkons recently completed an overnight winter backpacking trip in Dollys Sods Wilderness Area, West Virginia. This was his first time exploring this area. Even though winter clouds and an oncoming winter storm blocked the vistas, he still had a great time! Read about his trip below.
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Dec 27, 2025
An ode to my favorite map
While I don’t necessarily remember thevery first time I picked up and actually read a map, I do know that I rely on maps regularly. There are too many places with unreliable cell reception to think our digital resources can guide us, unwaveringly. But, with a map in hand and a few other necessary supplies, we can be unstoppable.
Re-published for winter inspiration (Dec 2025) c. Purple Lizard Maps
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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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Holiday Greetings from Mike and Justine at Purple Lizard Maps
The winter holidays invite a pause. In this year’s Holiday Greetings, Mike and Justine reflect on a year of thoughtful mapping, deep connections to landscape, adventures big and small (including with Loki the trail dog), and the Purple Lizard community that makes it all possible—plus a look ahead to exciting new maps and collaborations coming in 2026.
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The Gift of Adventure: Purple Lizard Maps Holiday Gift Guide 2025
Find meaningful, fun, affordable gifts for hikers, bikers, campers, and outdoor adventurers. Shop Purple Lizard Maps for holiday gifts that bring joy all year long! Handcrafted best in class recreation maps, cozy hats, gear, and more — all from an award winning family-run cartography studio in Pennsylvania.
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