Celebrate America’s National Parks: From Trails to Your Walls!

July 16, 2025

There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of America’s national parks to help you disconnect and recharge. July is National Park and Recreation Month, making it the perfect time to explore the many outdoor activities within the National Park System. You can also bring the awe-inspiring beauty of these natural wonders into your home.

The GPO Online Bookstore offers a fantastic collection of vibrant posters that capture the essence of these cherished landscapes. Many of these stunning prints are by the renowned artist Charley Harper, whose unique style brings the parks to life with bold colors and captivating designs.

Featured National Park Posters:

  • The Rocky Mountains Poster: Dive into the vibrant ecosystem of the Rocky Mountains with this captivating poster by Charley Harper. His distinctive artistic take on the park’s animal and plant life, set against glaciers, crystal-clear streams, and a busy beaver, will inspire your next adventure.
  • Canyon Country Poster: Another masterpiece by Charley Harper, this poster showcases the breathtaking “Canyon Country” parks spanning southern Utah, northern Arizona, eastern Nevada, and western Colorado. The rich, multi-colored illustration depicts striking pinnacles, buttes, spires, mesas, and canyons teeming with wildlife, making you feel like you’re standing on the edge of a primeval wonderland.

The GPO Online Bookstore features many more posters by Charley Harper. These high-quality prints are perfect for adding a touch of natural beauty to any home or classroom.

We hope you enjoy National Park and Recreation Month, whether exploring a trail or admiring a national park from your favorite armchair!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Visit our Retail Store: To buy or order a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up(s).

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

Leave a Comment » | Art, Department of the Interior, National Park Service | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

How to Make the Most of National Park Week?

April 17, 2025

National Park Week is around the corner, from April 19th to the 27th. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover (or rediscover) the breathtaking beauty of America’s National Park System.

If you’re dreaming of towering mountains, serene forests, dramatic coastlines, or historical landmarks, there’s a national park waiting to captivate you. This annual event is a chance to connect with these treasured places and learn about their significance.

Can’t get out to enjoy the parks in person? The National Park Service (NPS) recently remastered its popular posters, which bring the beauty of America’s national parks to life. The posters showcase stunning art by the iconic artist Charley Harper. Charley Harper was an American mid-century modern artist recognized for his bold, graphic style and nature illustrations. Harper created fascinating artwork for a series of ten posters for the NPS that captured the essence of different parks in America.

Here are a few of the National Park posters featuring Charley Harper’s artwork:

Atlantic Barrier Islands depicts the animal and plant life of the Atlantic Barrier Islands. This poster showcases the rich wildlife of the barrier islands, including shorebirds, sea turtles, and dolphins.

Hawaii Volcanoes depicts Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This poster features the volcanic landscapes of Hawaii, with flowing lava, cinder cones, and native Hawaiian plants and animals.

The Rocky Mountains depict color and the animal and plant life of the Rocky Mountains. On the poster, a beaver pond reflects the landscape of the Rockies, a terrain shaped by glaciers, streams, and the beaver itself.

How to Make the Most of National Park Week:

  • Plan Your Visit: Check the website of the national park or parks you’re interested in visiting for specific events and activities during the week. Reservations may be required for some programs.
  • Explore Something New: Consider visiting a park you’ve never visited! You might be surprised by the hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
  • Get Involved: Look for volunteer opportunities or ways to support the National Park Service.
  • Share Your Experience: Use the hashtag #NationalParkWeek to share your photos and stories on social media and inspire others to explore.

Whether or not you plan on visiting a national park this summer, Charley Harper’s nature-oriented prints can take you there without leaving home.

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Trudy Hawkins is Government Book Talk Editor and Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office, supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Art, National Park Service, National Park Service | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Captivating Posters from the NPS

March 29, 2024

The National Park Service (NPS) recently remastered its popular posters that bring the beauty of America’s national parks to life, showcasing stunning art by the iconic artist Charley Harper. Charley Harper was an American mid-century modern artist recognized for his bold, graphic style and nature illustrations. Harper created fascinating artwork for a series of ten posters for the National Park Service that captured the essence of different parks in America.

Here are a few of the National Park posters featuring Charley Harper’s artwork:

Glacier Bay, Alaska poster explores the abundance and variety of life inhabiting the Bay.

Canyon Country poster depicts the Canyon Country National Parks in southern Utah, northern Arizona, eastern Nevada, and western Colorado. Enjoy enchanted landscapes of colorful pinnacles, buttes, spires, mesas, and canyons teeming with wildlife.

The Coral Reef poster explores the abundance and variety of coral reef sea life inhabiting Caribbean reef preserves.

Plus, seven more amazing posters of enduring beauty are available here.

These iconic posters feature vivid colors, simplified shapes, and a whimsical depiction of the flora and fauna of each park. They continue to be popular today, celebrating the beauty and diversity of America’s national parks.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publications and Information Sales Office.

Images and additional content provided by Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins. Trudy is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Art, Art and Architecture, Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Park Service | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Discover U.S. National Park Service Posters

March 8, 2019

In the 1990s, National Park Service (NPS) commissioned Charley Harper, an American Modernist artist, to design 10 posters of wildlife. They wanted the art to capture the diversity of public lands in America; “from the lava flows of Hawaiian Volcanoes . . . to the icebergs of Glacier Bay, Alaska, . . . from the heights of the Rocky Mountains . . . to the depths of the Coral Reef.” Harper, an experienced traveler, drew inspiration from nature and used his unique style of minimal realism.

The poster with Hawaii’s volcanoes shows a typical volcanic eruption that destroys everything in its path but Harper also gives the audience multiple perspectives. Upon closer inspection, the art illustrates how life is created through a destructive force. The archipelago of Hawaii was formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The image of Hawaii that we know of today is a lush, tropical island with volcanoes. The greenery is direct result of volcanic soil which is rich in nutrients. “[The soil] are light and fluffy, low density and have remarkable water-holding capacity.” Another view is that lava is flowing into the ocean thus creating more land. The island of Hawaii, also known as Big Island, is continually growing and providing more habitats for life. Harper’s artistic style maybe minimalistic but is by no means simple.

Can you find multiple perspectives in the Rocky Mountains poster?

Several of the commissioned posters are available for purchase at the GPO Bookstore. The Catalog of Government Publications (CGP) is another GPO resource that can be used to discover Government posters. For example, the University of Iowa digitized Harper’s Glacier Bay poster, and it’s available through the CGP. The CGP can also be used to learn more about the extensive research Federal agencies have conducted about natural wonders in the U.S.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Visit our Retail Store: To buy or order a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up(s).

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Vanathy Senthilkumar is a Systems Librarian at GPO.

2 Comments | Art, Art and Architecture, Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Travel and Tourism | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

GPO’s Gift Guide Series: Books for the Great Outdoorsman

December 6, 2018

Hey there! How is the holiday season treating you so far? What’s that? You’ve got a competitive cookie exchange coming up, you need to find a tacky sweater last minute, and you’ve been struggling to come up with what to get your nature-loving niece? Your GPO elves are here to help! Well, with the last thing, that is. Today, we’re bringing you gift ideas for the great outdoorsman.

Our first gift idea is a National Park Pack. The lovely coffee table book Treasured Landscapes from the GPO Bookstore showcases paintings, watercolors, sketches, and other works on paper from over 50 National Park Service museum collections. These works of art are seen together in this book for the first time to illustrate and tell the story of the Service’s first 100 years. Pair this book with a framed print of your friend or family member’s favorite national park that they can hang in their home for their daily dose of the outdoors. Next, add in a t-shirt or sweatshirt from the park so they can wear their nature-filled heart on their sleeve … literally! Voila, you have a beautiful present.

Next on the list is a mountain man’s … or mountain woman’s … survival kit. In it, include a pocketknife, a canteen, a headlamp, a compass, and snacks like trail mix, granola, and dried fruit. Rocky Mountain National Park Map from the GPO Bookstore will go perfectly in your survival kit. Top it off with cool posters from the GPO Bookstore like Alpine Northwest and Rocky Mountains by renowned late graphics artist Charley Harper. Another great addition? North Cascades, a guide that provides a brief introduction to North Cascades National Park and the surrounding region and includes travel and reference information.

Help the fisherman in your life plan his or her next fishing trip. The Upper Salmon River in Idaho provides a variety of boating opportunities. Between Stanley and Clayton, the river bounces through several classified rapids and is a favorite stretch for whitewater enthusiasts. The Upper Salmon River Boating Guide will help visitors navigate the river and learn about nature. The upper section is also unique in its combination of easy access and backcountry scenic quality. Pair this guide with a new rod, fishing line, fresh bait, and a cool vest, and you’ll hook, line and sinker all those other gift givers!

Finally, if you know someone who was really good this year, give the ultimate gift of travel. Surprise that lucky someone with a trip to the Grand Canyon, Redwood National Park in California, or Yosemite. Hide the plane tickets in a fun way by sticking them inside their passport … which, by the way, was printed right here at GPO. To get them even more excited, include a travel guide for the trip. The GPO Bookstore offers guides to many National Parks, including Trip Planner, a guide for planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, Redwood, a guide to Redwood National and State Parks, and Yosemite, a guide to Yosemite National Park.

They hike, they swim, they bike. They appreciate fresh air and fields of green. The great outdoorsman (or woman) doesn’t want a new iPhone or a watch or cologne. Show them you know them. Give a gift they will be sure to love as much as they love the mountains and the sea. We hope the ideas above inspired you to get creative. Stay tuned for more unique holiday gift ideas right here on the Government Book Talk blog.

GPO’s Gift Guide Series: Books for the Environmental Enthusiast

Click here to shop our Holiday Gift Guides for everyone on your list.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | Consumers, Gifts | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Travel to National Parks with These Charley Harper Posters

August 4, 2016

Thinking of traveling to a national park this summer? In addition to being prime time for outdoor exploration, August is American Artists Appreciation Month and the National Park Service’s (NPS) centennial month. Even if you can’t swing a national park trip, Charley Harper’s nature-oriented prints can take you there.

West Virginia-born, Cincinnati-based artist Charley Harper (1922-2007) is beloved for his highly stylized interpretive artwork. In the 1980s and early 1990s, NPS commissioned him to illustrate the wildlife of our parks. Based upon his cross-country travels and the stimuli of nature, Harper produced a 10-poster series in his trademark minimalist, geometric style. Four of those eye-catching renderings—Alpine Northwest, Atlantic Barrier Islands, Canyon Country, and The Rocky Mountains—are available through GPO.

024-005-01047-5Alpine Northwest—a bald eagle lords over his dominion, representing Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades National Parks.

Atlantic Barrier Islands024-005-00982-5—marine birds skirt along shifting bodies of sand and white-tipped tides that one could find on Fire Island, Assateague, Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout, Cumberland Island, and Biscayne National Park.

024-005-01064-5Canyon Country (Large Version)—the American Southwest’s dizzyingly high pinnacles, buttes, and mesas are a signature of the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and the like.

The Rocky Mountains (Large Version)—a beaver drinks at a pond that reflects the landscape of the great Continental Divide. 024-005-00967-1

It’s quite remarkable how Harper’s compositions use shapes to imaginatively depict an entire ecosystem. Bold colors and whimsical lines will brighten a schoolroom, playroom, breakroom, workroom, any room. Each one takes you to a corner of our country’s public lands. Celebrate American artistry and the past 100 years of national parks with Charley Harper’s tribute to wild, enchanted America.

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE CHARLEY HARPER POSTERS?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

 Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Chelsea Milko is a Public Relations Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations Office.

Leave a Comment » | Department of the Interior, Libraries, National Park Service, Travel and Tourism | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Charley Harper Posters

April 7, 2010

It’s easy to become blasé about the things you deal with on the job. For years, I’ve been seeing a variety of National Park Service posters whose design was along similar lines. They depicted stylized birds and animals, evoking, at least for me, a sort of Native American sensibility. I admit, though, that this is more thought than I actually put into them. If asked, I would have surmised vaguely that the stylistic resemblance was due to some kind of “look” the Park Service was trying to achieve, rather than because they were the work of a particular artist.

Recently, we reprinted a number of these posters and our content acquisition staff kept referring to them as “Charley Harper” posters. Then we got an inquiry from the depository library side of the house about “Charley Harper” posters. My first response: Who’s he? Well, Charley Harper (1922-2007) was a noted American artist, particularly esteemed for his wildlife posters, prints, and illustrations in a style he described as “minimal realism.” He’s also an eminently collectible artist, so once again Government publications suddenly appear in a new guise,  far removed from the tired old stereotype.

These posters are sold by stores in the various national parks and also are available from GPO. It’s easy to pick them out! To see all of the posters and handbooks produced by our Park Service colleagues in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, go here, where you’ll also find a link to the various parks associations that sell Park Service products.

6 Comments | National Park Service | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by govbooktalk

March Madness

March 30, 2010

College basketball playoffs are wildly popular and followed by millions of fans, including some in our office. Last year, we came up with the idea of doing a “Sweet 16” playoff of Government publications on GPO’s online bookstore. After working with our web support team, which is both creative and very patient, we launched our first playoff last year. We sent out a message to all of our customers who have requested information about our products and sat back to see if anything would happen. It did! By the time our “tournament” was over, we received more than 139,000 votes and a mention in the New York Times business blog.

I think this proves that Government publications have fans, and highly motivated fans at that. The winner? You can find it here.

Now it’s March again, and this year it’s a National Parks Playoff, featuring eight National Park Service handbooks and eight posters by the noted artist Charley Harper (who will be the subject of a future posting here). If you get a chance, stop by and vote!

15 Comments | National Park Service | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by govbooktalk