What Color Is a Recreation or Tourism Sign?

By Anna Duncan

When it comes to recreation and tourism signs, the color plays a crucial role in conveying vital information to travelers. The color scheme is not only used for aesthetic purposes but also serves as a visual cue for drivers to recognize the type of sign and its intended message. In this article, we will explore what color is typically used for recreation and tourism signs.

Importance of Color in Signage

The use of colors in signage is essential as it quickly grabs the attention of passersby and helps them identify the message. Colors can convey different emotions, moods, and meanings depending on the context in which they are used. Therefore, understanding the psychology of colors is crucial when designing signs.

Recreation Signs

Recreation signs are typically used to direct travelers towards recreational activities such as camping, hiking trails, scenic routes, and other outdoor areas. The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has set specific guidelines for recreation signs’ colors to ensure consistency across different states.

Brown: Brown is commonly used for recreation signs that indicate parks, recreational areas, and cultural points of interest.

Example: Brown-colored signs with white lettering directing towards Yosemite National Park.

Tourism Signs

Tourism signs are designed to provide information about popular tourist attractions such as historical sites, museums, zoos, and other landmarks. The USDOT has also set specific guidelines for tourism sign colors.

Blue: Blue is commonly used for tourism signs that indicate services such as rest areas, food outlets or lodging.

Example: Blue-colored sign with white lettering directing towards a rest area on a highway.

Green: Green is commonly used for tourism signs that indicate recreational activities such as golf courses or hiking trails.

Example: Green-colored sign with white lettering directing towards a hiking trail in a national park.

Brown: Brown is commonly used for tourism signs that indicate cultural points of interest such as museums or historical sites.

Example: Brown-colored sign with white lettering directing towards the Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the color of recreation and tourism signs plays a crucial role in conveying important information to travelers. Understanding the specific guidelines for each sign type’s colors can help ensure consistency and make signage more visually engaging. Designers must use appropriate colors to create effective signage that catches people’s attention while also providing valuable information.