Jungles are among the most unique settings, ripe with thematic encounters—whether it’s navigating the dense underbrush of a tropical rainforest, uncovering ancient ruins hidden beneath the canopy, or surviving the myriad of creatures and hazards that call the wilderness home.
The promise of hidden treasures, lost civilizations, and perilous expeditions—bolstered by tropes from popular media—all come together to form an ever-present sense of discovery, setting the stage for unforgettable adventures for your players.
In this article, we’ll highlight a selection of maps that capture the beauty and peril of these tropical environments, equipping you with everything you’ll need to bring the lush, adventurous spirit of the jungle to life.
Using This Article For Your Jungle Adventures
For each map, we’ve provided a descriptive overview, some immersive “boxed text” you can read to set the scene, and three suggested scenarios to kickstart your imagination.
Whether you’re a seasoned GM or you’re embarking on your first campaign, this article is here to help you tell the unforgettable tropical tale your table deserves.
Looking to flesh out your jungle adventure with more encounters and maps? This is just the start of our Jungle Adventures series. Keep the adventure going with the next part here!
1. Beachside Cliff
Leading our list is the Beachside Cliff — Natural Day map, a simple but versatile starting point for your tropical setting. Whether your players are shipwrecked or arriving by boat, this map is great for setting the stage for their first, gorgeous glimpse of their new adventure.
his map features a stunning series of craggy red rocks, adorned with lush greenery, that frame the tranquil coast of a tropical beach. The map’s variants also include several weather conditions and unique scenarios, such as a giant turtle making landfall and a giant roc nest settled on one of the rocks.
💡 You step onto the beach, the warm, golden sand shifting beneath your feet. The gentle rhythm of waves crashing against craggy red rocks is broken only by the occasional call of distant seabirds. The lush greenery atop the cliffs sways gently in the hot breeze, carrying the sea spray and the faint scent of flowers. As your eyes turn inland, the sprawling jungle stretches out before you, beckoning with the promise of untold mysteries and adventures.
Suggested Encounters
- Shipwrecked Arrival: The party’s ship, boat, or rowboat has just dashed itself against the rocks, and the players are stranded! To survive, they must come together and use their respective strengths to search for supplies, build a shelter, and explore the surrounding area for signs of civilization or other survivors.
- Smuggler’s Cove: The players find evidence of a smuggler’s or pirate’s hideout tucked away within the cliffs. They might investigate further to uncover hidden caches of stolen goods and end up in a violent confrontation with the thieves returning to claim their loot.
- Tutelary Turtle: (To be used with the Guardian Landfall variant of this map) The tranquil beach is disrupted by a deep, rumbling sound as the waters begin to churn and swell—just before a behemoth turtle breaches the surface and begins to amble up the shore. Does the shrine atop its back hold ancient knowledge, powerful artifacts, or a gateway to another realm?
2. Hanging Gardens — Jungle Palace
We started off with a simple map; now, let’s explore the height of extravagance that a jungle setting can offer. This stunning map is a breathtaking representation of ancient splendor, showcasing a magnificent palace adorned with vibrant tropical plants and meticulous parterres.
Deep, vibrant blue waters flow from fountains and wind through the gardens, setting a grand scene that’s sure to drive home exactly how opulent your party’s patrons, enemies, or new acquaintances are.
💡 As you walk up the steps, the vibrant greenery, colorful flora, and ancient stonework unfold before you in a tapestry of breathtaking beauty. Towering stone columns, draped with lush tropical vines, rise amid deep blue channels of water, their surfaces shimmering in the dappled sunlight. The air is filled with the sweet fragrance of tropical flowers and fruit, mingling with the sounds of cascading fountains.
Suggested Encounters
- Garden Festival: The palace is hosting a grand festival celebrating a cultural holiday or commemoration. The party can participate in the festivities, which might include games and performances—and might even need to foil a plot to disrupt the festival.
- Scholar’s Quest: A scholar of the city beseeches the party’s help in obtaining an ancient text within the palace library. The party must avoid the guards in the gardens and other security measures to access this valuable—and perhaps forbidden—information.
- Cultural Exchange: Ambassadors from distant lands have arrived at the palace for a cultural exchange or a diplomatic mission. The party must manage rising tensions, protect the dignitaries from hostilities, showcase the palace's splendor, and facilitate negotiations.
3. Impending Waterfall
This Impending Waterfall map features a long, forested river rushing swiftly through dense foliage, past a rickety makeshift “bridge” log, culminating in a dramatic drop. It’s simple but picturesque and can fit into any jungle travel session. The dangerous nature of the map also makes lots of room for encounters that require quick thinking and agility from the party.
💡 The sound of rushing water fills the air as you emerge into a clearing. Small pebbles and rocks line a lush riverbank as the river’s relentless pace builds towards a thunderous crescendo and plunges over the edge in a tumultuous waterfall. A log spans the swift current—and appears to be the only visible way across the river.
Suggested Encounters
- Bridge Crossing: The party must cross the river to continue their journey, navigating the slippery rocks or precarious log “bridge”, or even braving the current to wade across. This encounter could be a way for players to showcase their skills and abilities—though their attempts might be hindered not only by bad rolls but also by lurking creatures in the water.
- Ambush Location: Enemies pursuing or stalking the players might use this strategic location to ambush the party, forcing a battle on the narrow riverbanks and slippery rocks. What might be a normal battle could be made exciting and dangerous by the natural hazards present along the river.
- Behind the Waterfall: Ironically, if the party does get swept away (and, of course, if the fall doesn’t result in a TPK), they might find something hidden behind the waterfall, such as long-buried treasure or even the ruins of an ancient dungeon.
4. Fairy Treetop Village
This Fairy Treetop Village map captures the ethereal beauty of a woodland haven, nestled high up in the gnarled branches of towering trees. With elven-inspired architecture, this treetop village can serve as a home for any number of interesting NPCs for your players to interact with and explore: from woodland tribes to mystical creatures.
The village itself features numerous wooden platforms connected by winding branches, bridges, and vines, creating an enchanting, unique setting—lush, sunlit, and magical.
💡 As you ascend into the village, the air itself seems to grow lighter; the scent of foliage and flowers fills your lungs. An enchanting village sprawls across the branches of towering, ancient trees, with gnarled branches and vines forming natural pathways between the wooden platforms and rope bridges. The sunlight filters through the canopy, making a mosaic of light on the delicate elven structures perched gracefully among the leaves.
Suggested Encounters
- The Withering Grove: The grove that supports the village has become gravely ill, afflicted by some disease or curse. The party must investigate and find the source, or a cure before the village comes crashing down to the forest floor.
- Build a Bridge: A recent storm or attack has destroyed several bridges and damaged the wooden platforms supporting the village. The party must help the villagers rebuild, all the while dealing with the challenges of obtaining materials so high up, avoiding accidents while navigating the heights, and protecting the carpenters from opportunistic predators.
- Fey Market: A mystical fey market exists in the village, or occasionally appears for a short period of time. The party can buy unique items and trade for secrets here, but must avoid falling into the tricks and traps of the mischievous—or deceitful—fey merchants.
5. Jungle Temple Entrance
This Jungle Temple Entrance map drops your party in a marshy grove leading up to some ancient stone ruins, overgrown with moss and vegetation. Stone steps lead to the temple’s entrance; flickering torches hint at ongoing activity within; a central altar inscribed with strange runes suggests a ritual site waiting to be explored and secret puzzles to be solved.
Note that this map also comes with an “open” variant, where the temple's entrance yawns open to the dungeon within. If you intend on having your players proceed further, consider using the “open” variant to reward them with a visual representation of their puzzle-solving efforts!
💡 The air grows thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. The dilapidated wooden bridge creaks underfoot as you cross the murky water, the surface lit by the dim light of torches lining the path. Ahead, the overgrown stone ruins of a magnificent temple loom, vines clinging to every weathered and carved surface. In the center of the platform, an altar with strange runes carved around it sits in eerie silence.
Suggested Encounters
- Runic Riddles: The party has to decipher the strange runes on the center altar to unlock the secrets of the temple and open its doors. Solving the puzzle will cause the walls behind the altar to shift open, allowing the party to delve deeper into the ruins.
- Guardians of the Grove: Perhaps the key to opening the temple isn’t in a puzzle, but rather, in combat. The temple might be protected by ancient guardians, such as enchanted statues or well-trained monstrosities. The party will need to defeat or appease these creatures to gain access to the temple.
- Rowdy Rivals: If the party has any competitors, perhaps in the form of rival treasure hunters, this could be the perfect moment for a final showdown. Just as the doors to the temple swing open, the rivals could appear, eager to lay claim to the treasures within. And what better place for the party to face off against their adversaries and settle the score, once and for all?
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Don’t worry—with over 8,000 maps in our Fantasy library, the perfect one is just waiting to be discovered. Every map is tagged by setting and characteristics, making it super simple for you to find exactly what you need to tell your story.
Visit the Czepeku Map Library to browse the full collection and find the perfect map to bring your campaign to life!
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