Last updated: December 18, 2024
Article
First Day Hikes

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!

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

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

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.
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KENTUCKY & TENNESSEEEastern Kentucky & Tennessee Parks
Stack up miles at Big South Fork NR&R, Obed W&SR, and Manhattan Project NHP for the annual GO BIG Challenge!
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WEST VIRGINIANew River Gorge National Park & Preserve
People—and pets—can start the 100-mile challenge any time! You can also earn miles at neighboring park Bluestone National Scenic River.
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NEW YORKSaratoga National Historical Park
Hike or bike your way through history with the park's 100 Mile Challenge. You can even keep going to join the 1,777 Club!
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
Trip Ideas
Need some ideas of where to go? Check out these trip ideas from rangers to plan your trail excursion.
- 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
- 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
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
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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