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This month, the National Park Service observes its 110th birthday. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act “to conserve the scenery and natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein” and to enable generations of visitors to enjoy them. Today this federal agency manages and protects more than 400 properties. You’ll find them in all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and U.S. territories.

In addition to 60 or so national parks, NPS sites are designated as national monuments, preserves, historic sites, historical parks, memorials, battlefields, cemeteries, recreation areas, seashores, lakeshores, rivers, parkways, trails, and more. Even the White House is an NPS site.

And what about the official National Park Service symbol? It’s shaped like an arrowhead and illustrated with a bison, a sequoia, a lake, and a mountain range, symbolizing the natural and cultural resources the agency protects.

Consider adding some national parks to your must-see list.

The FRVA Team

Nobody heads into a national park to spend a hike staring at backpacks or stepping off the trail to let others pass. When crowds threaten the landscape, safety, or visitor experience, federal land managers may turn to lotteries.

In these lotteries, the prize isn’t cash; It’s the chance to experience a popular place while protecting what makes it special.

How does it work? A recreation lottery is a random drawing for limited permits, tickets, or passes. Some lotteries automatically issue these items to the winners, while others require the winners to proceed to the next step.

Start with Recreation.gov. Check application dates, deadlines, time zones, group limits, and fees. Some lotteries open months ahead, while others are held daily. If your application is selected, read the email carefully. You may need to accept, pay for, or complete the reservation quickly.

One catch: Not every required booking is a lottery. Rocky Mountain National Park’s 2026 timed entry is a reservation, for instance. Vehicle reservations, tours, and activity passes work differently than lotteries.

From hiking Angels Landing in Zion National Park or The Wave near the Arizona-Utah border, to rafting through the Grand Canyon or watching synchronous fireflies, lotteries are part of planning some bucket-list experiences. “May the odds be ever in your favor!”

Interested in trying the recreation lottery? Visit here for more details.

FRVA Pet Insurance

Your pets are part of the adventure, so make sure they're always protected wherever the road takes you. FRVA Insurance offers several pet insurance plans for dogs and cats through Nationwide. You can even choose to visit any licensed veterinarian, regardless of whether you're at home or are traveling hundreds of miles away in your RV; your pet receives timely care without the need for you to find an in-network provider.

Pet coverage can help with:

In addition to pet coverage, FRVA Insurance offers specialized RV policies and a full range of personal lines of coverage, including auto, home, personal umbrella, e-bikes, ATVs/UTVs, golf carts, and more.

For additional info, visit FRVAInsurance.com or call (877) 589-3599.

Perry Convention Showtimes

Reserve your spot now for Hollywood On Wheels, Family RV Association’s 114th International Convention & RV Expo. Registration is open for this cinematic-themed event, set to take place March 17-20, 2027, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. (Note: These new dates are a day earlier than initially announced.) Located in the heart of Georgia off Interstate 75, Perry makes a great stop for snowbirds who will be returning to their northern roosts. FRVA’s event staff is already preparing for social events, seminars, exhibits, and FUN. As details become available, they’ll be posted at frva.com/frva-perry-2027-learn-more, on FRVA’s social media channels, and in Family RVing magazine.

RV-Related Recall Information

Visit FamilyRVingmag.com for a list of the most recent recalls issued by RV and component manufacturers. To search for recalls, investigations, and complaints by vehicle year, make, model, and VIN, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline is (888) 327-4236.

America Celebrates National Park Week 

Calling all National Park geeks. Our week is almost here!

National Park Week is an annual celebration of all things National Park Service. It usually takes place in April around Earth Day, but this year the party moves to August 22–30 to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and the National Park Service’s 110th birthday.

On August 25, the NPS celebrates its big day, and we get the present! U.S. citizens and residents will receive free admission at National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee. Camping, tours, transportation, and reservation fees may still apply.

Luckily, there are plenty of places to enjoy that birthday present. The National Park Service oversees 400+ sites. Who knows? You might discover a new favorite close to home!

National Park Week daily themes. This year’s overall National Park Week theme is Celebrate America’s Story, with a different focus each day: 

Sat | August 22

Kickoff Saturday

Sun | August 23

Safety Sunday

Mon | August 24

America in
Motion Monday 

Tue | August 25

NPS Birthday
& Fee-Free Day 

Wed | August 26

Watch Wildlife Wednesday

Thu | August 27

Thankful Thursday 

Fri | August 28

Freedom Friday 

Sat | August 29

Staff Saturday

Sun | August 30

Junior Ranger Day 

Join us on social media. Family RV Association is celebrating National Park Week on our social media pages, and we’d love you to join us. Share a park memory, tell us which site is next on your list, or post a photo using #NationalParkWeek, #NPSBirthday, and #NationalJuniorRangerDay.

Looking for more ways to celebrate? Visit the National Park Foundation’s National Park Week page to take a virtual tour, explore park history, and more. And if you can’t visit this year, consider donating to help protect these special places for generations of park lovers to come.

Movies Filmed in National Parks

USA’s national parks feature some of the most gorgeous landscapes ever constructed by nature. So, of course, their picturesque scenery makes the perfect backdrop for movies. Whether a park location is standing in for a distant planet, takes center stage in a Wild West adventure, or steals the scene in a film’s climax, parks have contributed to some memorable movie moments.

Here are just a few of the parks that have starred on the big screen.

The National Park Service App

Designed by park rangers, the NPS App will help you maximize your park visits. Scan photos and maps; read about a park, including its activities, amenities, and events. If your internet access may be spotty, save content for offline use later. Download the free app from the App Store and Google Play.

National Park Restaurants

U.S. national parks offer an array of features that satisfy our senses, including the sense of taste. Park visitors can discover a host of charming and tasty spots to try, many highlighted in this Food Network blog. While some on the list have sadly closed their doors, there’s no shortage of eateries to try. Here’s a sampling:

OCTOBER 2026

Rocky Mountain

October 7-11

Farmington, NM

JANUARY 2027

Western

April 7-11

Tulare, California