Lizard Adventure Blog
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Meadow Run Trail: Big Rocks and Cool Falls In Ohiopyle State Park, PA
Meadow Run Trail is one of our favorite trails in Ohiopyle State Park. It has it all: woods, rocks and water, as it takes you to crazy big climbing rocks amidst giant rhododendrons, then to lots of access spots along Meadow Run where you'll find wading pools and waterfalls. Hiking, climbing, fishing, sightseeing and playing in the pools of Meadow Run are what you'll find along this short loop trail.
Read more
Chasing Lizards: How to Plan a Spontaneous Family Outing
Every trip has its ups and downs, no matter how much planning you put into it, so why not take advantage of an unexpected opportunity to get outside with your kiddos! No matter what lizard they choose, there will always be lessons learned and memories made.
Read more
Exploring the Dolly Sods-Seneca Rocks Lizard Map: The Northern Tier
There are a lot of dirt roads in Monongahela National Forest that are worth exploring. For that matter, many of the paved roads are also unique driving experiences. Camping options abound at the National Forest campgrounds or the Dispersed Camping Areas, as well as the simple fact that you are allowed to pull over and camp at many other spots within the forest. There are some rules on this – you can’t do that everywhere – but we’ll tell you about some of our favorite routes on the northern side of this Lizard Map.
Read more
Sep 14, 2024
Purple Lizard Cartography: Getting Lost in Michaux State Forest, PA
Purple Lizard Maps gives some insight on what it takes to create a recreational map of the highest quality.
Read more
Sep 6, 2024
Old Logger Path and Wild Roots Gets a Lil' Wilder in Loyalsock State Forest
Wild Roots Gets a Lil' Wilder with Tropical Storm Debbie
Hi! My name is Erica and I am the owner and guide of Wild Ro...
Read more
Orange Blazes - Hiking the Mid State Trail
In the fall of 2022, I opened up my Purple Lizard Bald Eagle State Forest Map and saw that I had completed a ten-mile section of the Mid State Trail. I said to myself, “Well what the heck, may as well hike the whole thing.” I started doing some research on the trail and coming up with a game plan. The 322-mile footpath is typically thru-hiked in about 30 days. With being a single mom and having a career, I couldn’t disappear for that long. I set a goal of finishing the trail before my 40th birthday.
Read more
Making the Deep Creek-Savage River Lizard Map
We finished our first Maryland Lizard Map! This map covers a huge chunk of Garrett County, Maryland, including Deep Creek Lake and adjacent parts of West Virginia. This comprehensive map features public lands, boating access, trail systems, and more. Perfect for any outdoor recreation enthusiast!
Read more
Exploring Pennsylvania and Finding Lizards Along the Way
I open my statewide PA Lizard Map because it helps me see everything there is to do in the areas surrounding the state parks and the possible adventures along the way. This first of its kind map has so many features, but my absolute favorite is that it features all 124 PA State parks, and 20 state forests (although it also features 115 Rail trails and Bikeways, long distance hiking trails, and much much more!).
Read more
Making the Ohiopyle-Laurel Highlands Lizard Map: Notes from the Field
Every map we make presents new challenges and the Ohiopyle-Laurel Highlands Lizard Map was no exception. About 7 months after we started field work, the Ohiopyle-Laurel Highlands Lizard Map was published. We really like this map, it opens up a lot of territory and will help people see the area in a way they haven't been able to. Put away your GPS, grab the Lizard Map and get out there to see what lies on the backroads of the Laurel Highlands!
Read more
