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!
Trails & Hiking
Learn more about hiking and trails across the National Park System, including where to go, tips, and ways to get involved.
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.
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.
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KENTUCKY & TENNESSEEEastern Kentucky & Tennessee ParksStack 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 & PreservePeople—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 ParkHike 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.
Showing results 1-10 of 884
- Rocky Mountain National Park
Bear Lake
- Type: Things To Do
- Subtype: Hiking
- Locations: Rocky Mountain National Park
- Reservations: Yes
- Pets: No
- Location: Bear Lake Trailhead
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Bear Lake is seen in winter and spring. This lake and the surrounding trail is typically covered with snow from late October through late May. Be prepared for snow and ice on the trail. Traction devices and waterproof boots are advised.
- Valles Caldera National Preserve
Hike the Cabin District Trail
- Type: Things To Do
- Subtype: Front-Country Hiking
- Locations: Valles Caldera National Preserve
- Duration: 30-60 Minutes
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Cowboy Cabin
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day
The Cabin District Trail is a short and gentle route traversing the historic ranch headquarters for Baca Land & Cattle Company. Interpretive signs along the trail describe each building and its purpose in the ranching operation that persisted here for nearly a century.
- Valles Caldera National Preserve
Hike the Cerro del Medio Loop
- Type: Things To Do
- Subtype: Backcountry Hiking
- Locations: Valles Caldera National Preserve
- Duration: 7-8 Hours
- Reservations: Yes
- Pets: No
- Location: Cerro Del Medio Trailhead
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day
The Cerro Del Medio Loop is 13.8 miles (22.2 km) round-trip and combines 4 different trails within Valles Caldera: Obsidian Valley Trail, Posos Trail, Rincon Trail, and East Valle Grande Trail. Although the trail is long, it is very nearly flat and may be hiked in either direction. Excellent opportunities for elk sightings.
- Indiana Dunes National Park
1966 Hiking Challenge
- Type: Things To Do
- Subtype: Hiking
- Locations: Indiana Dunes National Park
- Duration: 1-5 Hours
- Reservations: No
- Age: 18 and Older
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Indiana Dunes National Park - 19 Trails
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
The 1966 Hiking Challenge is comprised of 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of trail in the park, celebrating the park’s founding in 1966. We will offer 19 weekly ranger led hikes every Saturday at 8:00 am starting on May 11 and culminating at the Outdoor Adventure Festival on September 14.
- Type: Things To Do
- Subtype: Road Biking
- Locations: Pea Ridge National Military Park
- Offices: American Battlefield Protection Program, Employee Wellness, Federal Lands to Parks Program, Harpers Ferry Center, Healthy Parks Healthy People, more »
- Duration: 30-120 Minutes
- Reservations: No
- Age: 5-95 years old
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Beginning of Park Tour Road
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day
Cycling at Pea Ridge National Military Park is a great way to discover the true scope of the park, both in size and meaning. It is also a wonderful opportunity to experience a quiet peaceful place of nature in bustling Northwest Arkansas.
- Type: Things To Do
- Subtype: Hiking
- Locations: Pea Ridge National Military Park
- Offices: Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program, Federal Lands to Parks Program, Geographic Information Systems Program, Historic Preservation Fund, Historic Preservation Planning Program, more »
- Duration: 45-90 Minutes
- Reservations: No
- Age: 7-70 years old
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Williams Hollow Loop
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day, Dawn
Hiking at Pea Ridge National Military Park is a great way to understand the true scope of the park, both in size and meaning. It is also a wonderful opportunity to experience the quiet peace of nature in bustling Northwest Arkansas.
- Type: Things To Do
- Subtype: Front-Country Hiking
- Locations: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Rainbow Bridge National Monument
- Duration: 2-8 Hours
- Reservations: No
- Pets: No
- Location: The hike from the docks
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day
There is one designated trail within the boundaries of Rainbow Bridge National Monument. It runs the length of the monument, from the boat dock on one side, to the border with the Navajo Nation on the other. We ask that you stay on this trail when you visit Rainbow Bridge for your safety and out of respect for the local Native American tribes that hold this place special to them.
- Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
Exciting: Paddle from Lackawaxen to Sparrowbush
- Type: Things To Do
- Subtype: Paddling
- Locations: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
- Duration: 8-10 Hours
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Lackawaxen River Access
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day
Paddle this longer stretch of river with a mix of calm waters, rapids, and rifts from Lackawaxen River Access to the New York DEC river access at Sparrowbush, NY. This stretch is approximately 20 river miles and takes on average 8-10 hours to paddle.
- Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
Moderate: Paddle from Ten Mile River to Lackawaxen
- Type: Things To Do
- Subtype: Paddling
- Locations: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
- Duration: 2-4 Hours
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Ten Mile River Access
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day
Paddle this stretch of river with a mix of calm waters and rapids from Ten Mile River Access to Lackawaxen River Access. This stretch is approximately 6.5 river miles and takes on average 2.5 hours to paddle.
- Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
Easy: Paddle from Narrowsburg to Ten Mile River
- Type: Things To Do
- Subtype: Paddling
- Locations: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
- Duration: 2-3 Hours
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Narrowsburg River Access
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day
Paddle this calm stretch of river from Narrowsburg River Access to Ten Mile River Access. This stretch is approximately 6 river miles and takes on average 3 hours to paddle.