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.

Leave a Comment » | Art, Department of the Interior, 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