National Park travel posters from the Golden Age of travel—spanning roughly the 1920s through the 1950s—include many iconic pieces of art that capture the grandeur of America’s natural landscapes. These posters were often commissioned by government agencies like the National Park Service (NPS) and private entities like railroads and bus lines to entice travelers to explore these then-pristine destinations. Produced during a time when America was still discovering its own landscapes, these posters reflect an era that celebrated both adventure and preservation. With vibrant colors and bold designs, they offered a stylized view of iconic locations like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon, among others.
WPA Federal Art Project National Park Posters
One of the most famous series of National Park travel posters came out of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal agency that employed artists to create public works. The WPA’s Federal Art Project produced 14 original designs for national parks in the late 1930s and early 1940s, though many more parks were likely planned. These posters were distinct for their minimalist and sometimes Art Deco-inspired style, emphasizing broad planes of color and dramatic contrasts to convey each park’s unique character. For example, the Grand Canyon posters highlight the sweeping vistas and layered cliffs, while those for Yellowstone emphasize the park’s famous geysers. Created using silkscreen techniques, these posters stand out for their simplicity and stunning effectiveness in capturing the essence of the parks.
Railway National Park Posters
The Golden Age of travel was also the age of rail, and train companies saw America’s parks as a prime attraction to draw more customers. Companies like the Northern Pacific and the Great Northern Railway released stunning posters showcasing destinations along their routes. Posters for Rainier National Park, for instance, often featured pristine alpine landscapes, reinforcing a romanticized view of the American wilderness. These railway posters encouraged travel by promoting the parks as accessible yet distant enough to promise an escape from urban life.
Travel Company Posters
Beyond the WPA and the railways, commercial travel companies also capitalized on early and mid-twentieth century America’s love for the outdoors. Companies like Greyhound and United Airlines produced posters that were prominently displayed in travel agencies and stations nationwide. These posters were often more colorful and detailed than their WPA counterparts and featured smiling families enjoying the scenery, appealing to a broad audience eager for an all-American adventure. This marked the beginning of the National Park system’s shift from catering primarily to rugged explorers to inviting families, creating an early form of tourism advertising that we recognize today.
Promotion of Travel, Conservation, and Nature in National Park Posters
In addition to being beautiful artworks, National Park posters served as educational tools. Through their imagery, they introduced Americans to landscapes many had never seen before. They conveyed a message that these natural wonders belonged to everyone, helping build a collective national pride around the parks. Their timeless appeal endures, as these posters are now considered not just collectible vintage items but also valuable historical artifacts that document America’s evolving relationship with nature and conservation.
Today, reproductions of these travel posters are popular among collectors and decor enthusiasts alike. They bring a sense of nostalgia for a time when travel was slower, grander, and focused on exploration. Hanging a reproduction of a National Park travel poster on a wall is more than just an aesthetic choice; it’s a nod to a period when the beauty of America’s natural landscapes was first being celebrated and preserved for future generations. These posters continue to inspire people to visit and protect the parks, just as they did nearly a century ago.
Click on each image below to enjoy this gallery of vintage National Park posters from the Golden Age of travel.