We have had so much fun visiting all of our National Parks these past couple of years. As we have visited each one, we get a decorative pin to place on a map to document our travels. Another thing we like to do to keep track of our travels is to take a picture with the Entrance Sign that welcomes us to each Park.
A lot of tourists like to take pictures of the entrance sign. So there's usually an opportunity for someone to snap a pic for you...and you'll also make instant friends. 😃 If no one is around to take your picture, there is usually some kind of stand to place your camera on (or I guess you could always use the dreadful selfie stick, but usually the signs are too big to do a good selfie).
Some of the National Park entrance signs are strikingly beautiful. This can be due simply because of the setting, or a unique creative design, or even an interesting font. Some are pretty old, built in the heyday of the CCC back in the 1930s. This post will rank our Top 10 Favorite National Park Entrance Signs.
Here is our post about the pins: https://paulnationalparks.blogspot.com/2018/03/put-pin-in-it.html
First, an honorable mention:
Glacier National Park, St. Mary Entrance
What a beautiful sign. Located on the eastern edge of the Park at the St. Mary Entrance. First of all, a fantastic setting with a great view of the mountains and secondly, I love how the shape of the sign evokes the fabulous peaks of this jewel of the NPS.
And now the Top 10:
#10. Mesa Verde National Park, Park Entrance Station
This sign was built in the 1930s, when the CCC built trails cut into the mountainside that lead down to the beautiful and mysterious cliff dwellings of this Park. I love the Art Deco font of the sign that perfectly captures the late 20s and early 30s. I also love how the bricks that buttress the sign remind me of the famous cliff dwellings.
#9. Voyageurs National Park, Ash River Visitor Center
Ok, the sign is incredibly basic and is in desperate need of repair (it's all faded, cracked and bleached by the sun). However, this entrance sign is awesome because of the incredible setting. Voyageurs National Park is all about water, so it's only fitting that it's entrance sign lies along the true highways of this park (the extensive network of lakes and rivers). This sign is no where close to a paved road like most other parks, it lies next to the beautiful blue waters of Lake Kabetogama.
#8. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit Visitor Center
Theodore Roosevelt astride a bucking horse perfectly captures the essence of these epic badlands of the Wild West. Roosevelt spent many years here ranching, mourning the loss of his mother and first wife (who both passed away on the same day), developing a love for nature and wilderness, that inspired him to champion conservation causes as President.
#7. Pinnacles National Park, West Entrance
This unique sign depicts the distinctive craggy peaks of one of our newest National Parks.
#6. Zion National Park, South Entrance
Zion is an embarrassment of riches and this simple, elegant sign is perfectly complemented by the stunning backdrop of the gorgeous canyon. I like how the colors blend together so that the sign almost appears as a natural feature.
#5. Mammoth Cave National Park, Eastern Entrance along Cave City Road
The traditional, iconic brown-and-white NPS design is used to great effect for this beautiful sign. The lovely, forested setting doesn't hurt either.
#4. Mt. Rainier National Park, Nisqually Entrance
The sign itself is rather basic and unimpressive, but the way it's placed over the road?...Wow! Awesome. This is an exceptional gateway to an exceptional park.
#3. Grand Teton National Park, South Entrance (Gros Ventre Junction)
#2. Sequoia National Park, Ash Mountain Entrance
This sign was built by the CCC in 1935 and is famous for its carved Native American face. It is definitely a relic of its time (I can't imagine the NPS designing a sign like this today), and I appreciate its uniqueness and intricate design. Landscape architect Harold Fowler sketched the profile using the Indian Head Nickel (aka Buffalo Nickel) as a guide. The Native American depicted is allegedly Sequoyah, the Cherokee chief and namesake of the mighty trees found here. Supporting the sign is a four foot diameter sequoia log that had fallen in the Giant Forest.
#1. North Cascades National Park, Western Entrance
The NPS went all out on this one. I love it! This incredibly unique, detailed, and intricate sign is less an Entrance sign, and more of an Entrance diorama. Its a perfect way to greet you to this incredible wilderness. The best National Park entrance sign in the country. It rocks!
