What it does
The National Park Service publishes cartographic pictograms, map elements and related production files for visitor maps. Its symbols are free and public domain, with separate web adaptations designed for small pixel grids. ArcGIS styles and Illustrator pattern swatches support additional mapping work.
Build a visitor-map legend from the accessibility, recreation and service symbols, then use the north arrows, scales and road shields where the layout needs them. NPS separates these cartographic elements from its map-pattern library, which includes lava/reef, sand, swamp and tree swatches for Illustrator CS or later. An ESRI.style archive supports ArcGIS work.
For a small web map, the NPMap adaptations provide source SVG artwork designed around maximum dimensions of 14px and 22px. Its table relates each pictogram to point-of-interest or amenity types, helping a map team keep the data and legend aligned.
NPS identifies its published symbols as free and public domain. Some derive from the commercial Ultimate Symbol Collection; that permission does not extend to every additional symbol sold in that separate collection.
Strengths
- The collection covers accessibility, recreation, map elements and patterns.
- NPMap provides SVG adaptations for 14px and 22px web-map dimensions.
Best for
- Visitor maps and recreation legends
- Cartographic interfaces using park-style pictograms
Sources
- Map Symbols & Patterns for NPS Maps (Oct 27, 2026)
- Pictographic Symbols - NPMap (Oct 27, 2026)