Bring the Outdoors In

March 24, 2026

As spring blooms, the call of America’s National Parks grows stronger. The towering peaks, ancient forests, and sprawling deserts offer a chance to disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with nature’s raw beauty. While nothing truly compares with standing amidst these wonders, you can bring a piece of their awe-inspiring majesty into your own home.

The Government Publishing Office (GPO) U.S. Government Bookstore offers a fantastic collection of vibrant posters that capture the essence of these cherished landscapes, transforming your walls into windows to the world. For art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, these stunning prints showcase the distinctive work of renowned artist Charley Harper.

Charley Harper was a master of “minimal realism,” distilling complex natural scenes into elegant, geometric compositions. His genius lay in using bold colors and clean lines to capture the spirit of an animal or landscape. These aren’t just posters; they are artistic statements that celebrate biodiversity and the breathtaking scale of our National Parks.

Why do you need a Harper print?

  • Iconic Art: Own a piece of American design history celebrated in galleries worldwide.
  • Vibrant Decor: Infuse your space with dynamic compositions that spark conversation.
  • National Heritage: Celebrate and advocate for the lands these posters depict.
  • Versatile Design: These prints fit seamlessly into a living room, home office, or bedroom.

Below are a few popular posters from the collection.

The Rocky Mountains Poster. Dive into the vibrant ecosystem of the Rocky Mountains. Harper’s artistic take on the park’s wildlife—set against glaciers and crystal-clear streams—is sure to inspire your next adventure.

Canyon Country Poster. This masterpiece showcases the breathtaking “Canyon Country” of the American Southwest. The rich illustration depicts striking pinnacles, buttes, and mesas teeming with wildlife, transporting you to a primeval wonderland.

Keep the spirit of exploration alive year-round. Visit the GPO Online Bookstore to discover how Charley Harper’s unique vision can bring the heart of America’s natural wonders into your home.

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

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From the 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 Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

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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