In the 31 years since the first First Day Hike, a lot of people have chosen to start the new year off right by taking a hike. To support this, NASPD and America’s State Parks have been coordinating hikes across the country, to inspire people to get outside, get active, and visit a park as part of their New Year’s tradition.
This year 47 states advertised First Day Hikes and more than 60,000 people joined in 1,175 hikes. Combined they walked 117,104 miles. With more than double the participants of 2022, state coordinators were asked to share a photo and a story about their state’s hikes. We have selected a few to include in this article to represent the creative and inspirational hikes across the country.
(Photo: Hanging Rock State Park)
The North Carolina Legislature and the Governor issued proclamations that 2023 be the Year of the Trail. So, North Carolina State Parks found it especially fitting to lace up their shoes for January 1st. The goals for NC Year of the Trail are to inspire people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to try trails; demonstrate the importance of trails to elected officials; boost outdoor recreation tourism across the state through Year of the Trail events in all 100 counties; promote safe and responsible use of trails, with the Outdoor NC Principles; and advance diversity and inclusion on trails.
(Photo: Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area)
This year Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area held their second First Day Hike for equestrian riders (a hike for the horses). Participants braved the snow, wind, and mud-sliced trail. Everyone, including the horses, had a New Year's Day to remember.
(Photo: Scantic River State Park)
About 180 happy hikers made their way through the muddy trails and kicked off the new Year at Scantic River State Park. Participants ranged in age from age 4 to 84 and were asked to bring food donations with them. Hikers saw beavers and beetle art on their hike and donated more than 440 lbs. of food to the Five Corner Pantry.
(Photo: Blue Hills Reservation)
Blue Hills Reservation, hosted their first First Day Hikes in 1992, had 1,100 people join their hike this year. The parks provided live animal demonstrations, a food drive, and the local Boy Scouts provided hot chocolate. Participants saw a red-tailed hawk was circling over Houghton’s Pond as the guided hikes were departing and took it as a good sign for 2023.
(Photo: Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site)
With nearly a foot of new snowfall at some participating Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites, Wyoming's 375 participants braved the cold and snowy conditions to ring in the New Year outside. This year, returning and first time First Day Hikers had the chance to win a 2023 Annual Day Use Pass at each participating location across the state.
Activities in state parks on January 1 have been ongoing for many years. Since 2012 when the National Association of State Park Directors began its sponsorship, our national volunteer coordinators and those coordinating hikes at the state levels, have been instrumental to the great success. Rob Barrett of Tennessee has been the National Coordinator for First Day Hikes since 2020, and after a record breaking first year, had the privilege of shepherding First Day Hikes through the pandemic. His service has been exemplary. With the support of state coordinators developing solutions for self-guided, socially distanced, and virtual hiking options were well received. As participation with the traditional First Hikes are returning, Dia Hitt of South Carolina State Parks will transition into the role of National Coordinator. Just as Ellen Graham of Georgia passed the torch to Rob in 2019, Rob and Dia will collaborate on the 2024 Hikes. Barbara Knisely, with Maryland State Parks, served as the first national coordinator prior to Ellen. Special, special appreciation is extended to Barbara, Ellen, Rob and Dia!