Signs

Signs are perhaps the most frequently used means of communicating with park visitors. The National Park Service Sign Program, located at the Harpers Ferry Center, helps establish the National Park Service’s identity through developing and maintaining sign standards. The sign program provides assistance to parks designing and planning signs.

NPS personnel can find the NPS Sign Standards on the National Parks Service Sign Program website and the NPS Sign Program Arrowheads in NPGallery. For more information please email the NPS Sign Program.

NOTE: The NPS website is only available to NPS employees who are connecting on an NPS network. Non-NPS users will encounter a "Page Not Found" error.

Park Identity

Identity signs display the name of a park or important site and facilities in a park. These signs greet our visitors and typically give them a photo opportunity. The Arrowhead reminds them that the place they are entering is part of a system of parks cared for by the National Park Service.

Motorist Guidance

Motorist Guidance Signs provide directions to motorists traveling to, or within parks. They also display traffic regulations (including parking control) and information about road hazards.

Visitor Information System (VIS)

VIS signs provide information to visitors who are on foot, riding bicycles, or traveling by motor vehicle at very low speed. These signs can include trailheads, trail directionals, orientation, resource protection, and safety.