Lizard Adventure Blog
Spooky Hikes with Purple Lizard Maps
Feeling spooky this time of year? Check out these ideas for Halloween themed outdoor adventures that just might get your blood boiling...
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Explore a 15-mile Hiking and Running Loop Around Slate Run, PA
Years ago, local trail legend Bob Webber would lead a rambling hike along official and unofficial trails throughout the forest near Algerine Wild Area and Slate Run, PA. One of these trails, which helps to create a loop hike from Slate Run, had been seemingly forgotten until a local trail running group, PA Trail Dogs, found this trail again and re-opened the trail for all to use. Follow along below for a rambling description of this loop, which is an ideal adventure for hikers, backpackers, and trail runners alike.
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Fall Camping and Hiking in Shenandoah National Park with Purple Lizard Maps
Shenandoah National Park is a camper's paradise, offering a variety of campgrounds, each with its unique charm - and fall is the perfect time to explore the grandure of this gorgeous national treasure. Don't wait – grab your camping gear, your Purple Lizard Maps, and immerse yourself in the beauty of Shenandoah this fall. Your adventure awaits!
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Hiking, Biking, and Running, Oh My! How to Stay Safe on Public Lands During Hunting Season
The season that most hikers, cyclists, and runners are concerned about is firearm deer season, which typically lasts around two weeks. Hunters are out enjoying the woods in much greater numbers than in other seasons, and blaze orange attire is required to stay safe.
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The Ultimate Fall Foliage Adventure Guide to Pennsylvania
Fall is the best season to explore Pennsylvania! From the Grand Canyon of PA to the ridges of Rothrock, from elk country to old-growth forests, the colors of autumn light up every corner of the state. This guide highlights the best vistas, hikes, and drives across all Purple Lizard Map regions — plus the statewide Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Map to help you see the big picture.
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Fall Colors, Endless Trails: Your Lizard Map Adventure Guide
As autumn fully arrives, outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers relish in the arrival of fall's vibrant colors, the crisp mountain air, and the sense of wonder and excitement that this season can bring.
To make the most of this magical (and often short!) time, look no further than Purple Lizard Maps and our specially curated map packs, designed to unlock the treasures of the great outdoors to make planning your adventures easy and fun.
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Prime Time For Elk: PA Elk Scenic Drive and A Quehanna Wild Area Adventure
Elk are truly majestic animals, and they're really big! Cows weigh about 500 lbs and Bulls can weigh up to 700 lbs. Since elk populations move frequently, the best ways to find elk are to drive or hike throughout their range. Purple Lizard's newest map, Moshannon-Quehanna, highlights hundreds of miles of roads and trails in the heart of elk country.
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Visit Mount Davis: the Highest Point in Pennsylvania
Mount Davis, at 3,213 feet elevation, is the highest point in Pennsylvania. Peak baggers from across the country visit this roadside spot east of Ohiopyle State Park in Forbes State Forest to notch their highest point belt, or whatever it is one does to lay claim to reaching the highest point (on a natural feature) in Pennsylvania. And then they get a little higher by climbing the observation tower.
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Exploring the Northern Frontier of Bald Eagle State Forest: Millheim to Mile Run, PA
Purple Lizard takes you on a drive through the backroads of Bald Eagle State Forest, one of the most remote forests in Pennsylvania.
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Trailblazing Cartography: Purple Lizard Maps Earns Top Industry Honors
What started as our founder Michael Hermann's vision to make the best outdoor recreation maps anywhere has come to life over the past three decades and Purple Lizard Maps is now a publisher of nationally recognized best in class recreational maps. For the latest news about Purple Lizard Maps awards and recognition, read on.
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The Gulf of Mexico Rebranding - A Cartographic Response
The Gulf of America renaming isn’t just symbolic—it’s a deliberate act of cultural erasure, fueled by nationalist rhetoric and misinformation. Executive Order 14172 attempted to rename the Gulf of Mexico, overstepping international law and cartographic standards. This blog unpacks the overreach, explains key maritime zones like territorial seas and EEZs, and explores how tech companies, media, and government agencies responded. From jurisdictional confusion to political theater, it breaks down why this matters—and how our response is a historically accurate, bilingual map that tells the full story.
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Sweet Vistas and Cool Streams in Quehanna Wild Area, PA
There is so much wilderness to explore on the Moshannon-Quehanna Lizard Map it's hard to decide where to start! One easy place to start is with two great trails along the Quehanna Highway. The Lincoln and Teaberry Trail loops can be your destination hike or a side-hike on your way to see the elk herd at Benezette.
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