From the early- to mid-1900s, the Arts and Crafts movement inspired the National Park Service’s (NPS) signature rustic style. The early style blended several architectural approaches together, but design sensibilities quickly evolved into a more harmonious and refined style that centered on rustic design. NPS staff affectionately refer to it as “parkitecture”. Using native materials and an aesthetic that resembled being be built by hand (if not literally made that way), the national park buildings’ subtle but distinctive design adds to visitors’ experiences. There are a few defining principles of parkitecture beyond the inclusion of natural materials: buildings should harmonize with their landscapes without attempting to visually upstage the natural beauty of their surroundings; buildings should blend in with each other through material and design when located within the same park; and stone, timber, and log should be scaled to provide a balanced appearance. Like any architectural style, parkitecture had its famous architects, including Gilbert Stanley Underwood and Mary Jane Colter who advocated for simplicity in design, natural materials, and balance with its surroundings. As you travel through the parks, look around at the buildings, bridges, and entrance signs that harmonize with their natural environment just as parkitecture should.