The question we get most about our park style signs is not about size or color. It is
“what should we put on it?” The shape is so recognizable that almost any wording looks right, so
the hard part is choosing.
Here are the formulas our customers use most, with real examples, to help you land on yours.
Formula 1: your name, as a national forest
Top line: your family name. Script line: “National Forest”. Bottom panel: your town and state,
then the elevation and the year. It reads just like the signs you pass on a mountain road, and it
is the format that makes people stop and look twice.
The elevation is the detail that sells it. Look up your address on a map that shows elevation
and round it to the nearest foot. A small town at 2,513 feet is just as fun as a mountain cabin
at 9,000.
Formula 2: “Now Entering” and a place nickname
Every family has a name for their property that nobody else uses. Put it on the sign. “Now
Entering” across the top, the nickname in big script, and a made up forest or wilderness name on
the light panel. These are the signs that get the most laughs, and the inside jokes are usually
the best ones.
Formula 3: welcome to the lake, the cabin, or the camp
The simplest option. “Welcome” in script, then “to the lake”, “to our cabin”, “to our camp” or
“to our adventure” in small capitals, and your family name on the light panel. It works on a lake
house dock, a cabin door, or a front porch in the suburbs.
Wording formulas at a glance
| Formula | Example layout | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Family national forest | Name / National Forest / Town, ST / Elevation, Est. year | Homes, cabins, gifts |
| Now Entering | Now Entering / Place nickname / Made up forest / Est. year | Properties, gates, inside jokes |
| Welcome to | Welcome / to the lake / Family name / Est. year | Lake houses, cabins, porches |
| Camp | Camp / Name / Town, ST / Date | Campsites, reunions, events |
| Room sign | Name / National Park / Room name | Offices, game rooms, kids’ rooms |
| Wedding | Welcome / Names wedding / Venue town / Date | Outdoor and mountain weddings |
Tips for wording that fits
- Keep the script line short. One or two words in the big script font reads
best. Long names still work, but the letters get smaller to fit. - Use the bottom panel for facts. Town, state, elevation, year, or a date.
Two short lines is plenty. - Pick an icon that means something. A bear, deer, bison, wolf, eagle, tent,
campfire, or even Sasquatch. Or send your own silhouette, like your dog. - Say it out loud. If it makes the family laugh or smile, it is the one.
These are personalized signs inspired by park entrance signs. They are not official park
signs and are not affiliated with the National Park Service or the Forest Service.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use different wording from the product page?
Yes. Type exactly what you want in the custom text box and we will lay it out in the proof.
Can I see a few wording options before choosing?
Yes. Tell us which ideas you are deciding between and we can show them in your proof.
What if I do not know my elevation?
Send your town and we can look it up for you.
Can I add a date instead of an established year?
Yes. Full dates work well for weddings, reunions, and anniversaries.
Still stuck? Send us the story
Tell us about the place and the people, and we will suggest wording in your free
digital proof. You only order once it looks right.
Related:
park style signs in the wild ·
painted park style signs ·
camp signs
