Apple Launching National Parks Activity Challenge on August 28 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Launching National Parks Activity Challenge on August 28

Apple's next Apple Watch Activity Challenge is set to take place on Saturday, August 28th, in celebration of national parks worldwide.

apple national park awards
Apple will ask Apple Watch owners to complete a hike, walk, run, or wheelchair workout of a mile to earn a special National Parks award.

Let's take a day to appreciate the beauty of national parks all over the world. On August 28, earn this award by recording a hike, walk, run, or wheelchair workout of a mile (1.6K) or more with any app that adds workouts to Health.

As with all Activity Challenges, the award will be accompanied by animated stickers that can be used in the Messages app.

national parks 2021 1

national parks 2021 4

national parks 2021 3

national parks 2021 2
Apple always celebrates national parks in August, and last year introduced an Apple Pay donation program and highlighted Apple TV+ content, Apple Music songs, podcasts, books, and more all focused on national parks.

Popular Stories

national parks activity 2026

National Parks Apple Watch Activity Challenge Launching August 23

Tuesday August 18, 2026 12:09 pm PDT by
Apple will launch its annual National Parks Apple Watch activity challenge on Sunday, August 23 to celebrate national parks across the United States. Apple Watch owners can earn an Apple Watch activity award by doing a hike, walk, run, or wheelchair push that lasts for 20 minutes or more on August 23, 2026. Earning this award is a walk in the park. Or a run. Or a hike. Or a wheelchair push. ...
All Screen iPhone 2030 Feature Sans Text

iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone. If you're thinking of...
iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Reportedly Starts With 256GB of Storage

Thursday September 3, 2026 9:22 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro has double the base storage compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, there will apparently be no further increase this year. Taiwanese research firm TrendForce today again reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models will start with 256GB of storage, like the iPhone 17 Pro models. Minimum storage capacities by model:iPhone 16 Pro: 128GB iPhone 17 Pro: 256GB iPhone 18 Pro...

Top Rated Comments

jamcgahey Avatar
66 months ago
I love these medals! I wish they did more of them
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
66 months ago

Apple remains one of the most savvy public relations oriented companies I have ever seen. They really know what buttons to press.
Yeah, these special activity challenges are a great way to keep people engaged. That's something Fitbit doesn't do as well.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Captain Trips Avatar
66 months ago

And as every time we get this challenge, we are not allowed to ride our bike through Apple's national parks 😂 :(
Come on Apple, why not including riding your bike???
How about riding your bike for your usual distance, and then walk with your bike for a mile? :D🚲
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
66 months ago
And as every time we get this challenge, we are not allowed to ride our bike through Apple's national parks 😂 :(
Come on Apple, why not including riding your bike???
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
66 months ago
My wife and I will be on vacation in Hawaii during that time. It will be a BEAUTIFUL walk! :)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
calzon65 Avatar
66 months ago
Apple remains one of the most savvy public relations oriented companies I have ever seen. They really know what buttons to press.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)