Article

First Day Hikes

Hiker standing in a triumphant pose with fog-covered mountains in the background

Courtesy of Suki Syke

Kick off the new year on the right foot! National parks are a great place to begin your new year's resolution of enjoying the health benefits of parks while also admiring the stunning winter scenery.

"First Day Hikes" is a tradition started by state park systems inviting everyone to take a hike in a park on January 1 to encourage healthy activities in the outdoors all year long. Whether you walk, run, or even bike or paddle, come out to explore the trails in your national parks too!

Step 1: Find a park
Step 2: Plan ahead
Step 3: Set a goal
Step 4: Step off!
Step 5: Repeat until you reach your goal for the year

If you are heading to a national park on January 1—or any other day of the year—remember to recreate responsibly to promote health and safety of everyone. Share your experience and inspire others on social media using #FirstDayHikes and #YourParkStory!

Hiker using a pole to descend a trail in the woods
Trails & Hiking

Learn more about hiking and trails across the National Park System, including where to go, tips, and ways to get involved.

Hiking gear in a pile, including a backpack, water bottles, and sunglasses
Hike Smart

Whether going for a rough and tough wilderness hike or a casual stroll on a paved trail, get tips for a fun, safe hike.

Ranger holding a phone displaying the NPS App
NPS App

The free NPS App can help before and during your hike to make the most of your experience.

National Park Challenges

Need more motivation? Join a mileage challenge hosted by a park.

Hiking and Trail Events

Set the calendar to January to find ranger-led First Day Hikes in national parks. You can also use the calendar to find other events on trails hosted by national parks year-round.

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By State

By Event Type

 

Want to volunteer? Volunteer events will soon display directly on the NPS Event Calendar. Until then, visit Volunteer.gov to find ways to volunteer!

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Trip Ideas

Need some ideas of where to go? Check out these trip ideas from rangers to plan your trail excursion.

Showing results 1-10 of 882

  • Big Thicket National Preserve

    Hike the Birdwatchers Trail

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Locations: Big Thicket National Preserve
    • Duration: 30-60 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Menard Creek Corridor Unit | Romayor, TX
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day
    A wide, curving creek with trees and green shrubs lining its banks.

    ¾ mile roundtrip | This short hike leads to views of Menard Creek and the Trinity River, an important migration route for birds.

  • Bryce Canyon National Park

    Ride Your Bike in the Park

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Biking
    • Locations: Bryce Canyon National Park
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Historic Service Station
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Two cyclists ride along paved forested path

    The best way to cycle within the first three miles of the park is by using the Shared-use path. It provides 5 miles (8 km) of vehicle-free two-lane path connecting the shuttle station north of the park with the Visitor Center, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, and Inspiration Point. Bicyclists looking for a longer ride can travel along the main park road to the southern end of the park.

  • Dinosaur National Monument

    Hike the Jones Hole Trail

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Backcountry Hiking
    • Locations: Dinosaur National Monument
    • Duration: 2-10 Hours
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Jones Hole Fish Hatchery
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
    A hiker walks on a trail through golden colored grass as tall cliffs rise on both sides.

    8.5 miles (13.6 km) round trip, out and back trail. Jones Hole Trail is a popular hike along a babbling brook near the northwest corner of Dinosaur National Monument. The creek offers good trout fishing. A Utah State fishing license is required. Backcountry camping requires a permit. Camping at Ely Creek requires advanced reservations. No pets allowed.

  • Capitol Reef National Park

    Hike Cathedral Valley

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Backcountry Hiking
    • Locations: Capitol Reef National Park
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
    View looking down on triangular, reddish orange monoliths in a desert.

    Explore Cathedral Valley by foot. These hikes are accessible only by rough unpaved roads. A high clearance vehicle is necessary and four-wheel drive is recommended at times.

  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park

    Hike the Ledges Trail

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Locations: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
    • Duration: 1-2 Hours
    • Reservations: No
    • Age: 6 and Older
    • Pets: Yes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn
    Staircase of rough-hewn gray stones winds between two walls of green moss-covered rock, up to trees.

    The Ledges Trail circles a plateau of striking rock formations and provides stunning views along the way. Learn more about hiking this popular trail.

  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park

    Hike the Brandywine Gorge Loop

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Locations: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
    • Duration: 1-2 Hours
    • Reservations: No
    • Age: 6 and Older
    • Pets: Yes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn
    View down through bare trees at a deck overlooking a waterfall cascading into a gorge.

    The Brandywine Gorge Loop circles a deep ravine carved by Brandywine Creek, and provides stunning views of Brandywine Falls along the way. Learn more about hiking this popular trail.

  • Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

    Hiking along the Arkansas River

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Locations: Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
    • Duration: 30-90 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day
    Photo of Arkansas River with blue sky and sunflowers beside Bent

    Visitors can hike a 1.75 mile trail that winds its way through the cottonwood trees alongside the wetlands and the Arkansas River. Interpretive exhibit panels explain the further significance of this important river ecosystem.

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Locations: Montezuma Castle National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument
    • Duration: 10 Minutes
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day
    a dog standing on stone steps above a desert parking lot

    Do you think your dog has what it takes to become an official Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Bark Ranger? Stop by the visitor center to get certified. Certification allows you to purchase an exclusive BARK Ranger badge from the bookstore.

  • Colorado National Monument

    Hiking from Devils Kitchen Picnic Area

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Locations: Colorado National Monument
    • Duration: 1-8 Hours
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Devils Kitchen Picnic Area
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    Stone structure with open walls covering picnic tables, in an open area surrounded by canyon walls

    Many incredible hikes begin just inside the East Entrance to the Monument. Choose from short day hikes to longer, more difficult backcountry travel.

  • Colorado National Monument

    Hiking from Saddlehorn Visitor Center

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Hiking
    • Locations: Colorado National Monument
    • Duration: 1-8 Hours
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Saddlehorn Visitor Center
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    A low, mostly flat building with a flagpole and shrubs, standing before a desert canyon

    These hikes can be accessed from the visitor center. Several short hikes to incredible views begin here, as well as a longer trail perfect for a night in the backcountry. Come to the visitor center for an orientation film, Junior Ranger booklets, and more.

Last updated: December 18, 2024