Where to find a hiking trail on New Year’s Day
Have you been snacking on Christmas cookies or fried latkes for days? Set a New Year’s resolution to exercise more often? Disappointed, no bowling match is scheduled on New Year’s Day?
Consider a “first day hike” instead.
Each year, the National Association of State Park Directors hosts guided walks across the country to celebrate the first day of the new year and encourage Americans to get moving.
As California State Parks says, “What better way to start 2023 than to enjoy spectacular views and breathe in the fresh air.”
Time spent in nature rejuvenates the mind and body and promotes mental and physical health. So here’s what to know about “First Day Hike” and where you can find a great trail.
Where can I find a list of hikes?
The association maintains a list of all the hikes planned in the country with a map on its website here.
For example, hikes are planned at a dozen state parks in Arizona, and in Oregon, hikers will help start a celebration of 100 years of Oregon State Parks.
On social media, use the hashtag #FirstDayHike to find hikes and view and share photos.
GUIDED HIKES BY STATE:Find a hike near you
Where did ‘First Day Hikes’ start?
The hiking program celebrated its 30th anniversary in January 2022. It began in the Massachusetts State Parks system in 1992. Patrick Flynn, a former Blue Hills Reservation supervisor near Milton, is credited with designing the ‘idea.
Twenty years later, the program was launched nationwide through the American State Parks Alliance, with 400 New Year’s Day hikes. Today, Canada’s parks are also getting in on the action.
State and national parks are popular locations
How popular are they? The country’s 8,565 state parks welcome more than 807 million visitors a year, according to the State Park Superintendents Association. Visitors have access to 14,672 trails in state parks, offering more than 52,600 miles of hiking.
The National Park Service reported 297 million visitors to its 423 parks in 2021. New visitor number records were set at 44 parks.
Family hike:This mom and grandma hiked 18 miles with a baby
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Want loneliness? These are the busiest parks in the country.
If you don’t like sharing the trail with crowds, you might consider avoiding the country’s most popular parks. Here are the top 10 most popular, according to the National Park Service:
- Blue Ridge Parkway – North Carolina and Virginia
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Border between North Carolina and Tennessee
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area – San Francisco Bay
- Gateway National Recreation Area – New York and New Jersey
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area – Nevada and Arizona
- George Washington Memorial Parkway – Virginia and Washington, DC
- Natchez Trace Parkway – Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee
- Lincoln Memorial – Washington, D.C.
- Gulf Islands National Seashore – from Mississippi to Florida
- Zion National Park – Utah
Protect yourself from the cold
Consider these tips from the American Hiking Society:
- Wear layers that you can remove or add to keep your body temperature at the same level.
- Wear a hat to retain body heat and protect yourself from the sun.
- Don’t forget sunscreen, especially if you’re hiking in snowy landscapes that can reflect the sun.
- If you are hiking in very cold weather, protect your water from freezing by using a foam sleeve or carrying it inside your jacket.
Before going on a hike, some safety tips
- Check the weather.
- Know your trail conditions, stay off icy trails unless equipped accordingly.
- Tell someone about your plans.
- Remember that the sun still sets early.
- Keep in mind that visitor centers and restrooms may be closed in some places.
USA Today
