First Day Hikes facts for kids
First Day Hikes are special, free guided walks offered by state parks across the United States every year on New Year's Day. This program started in Massachusetts in 1992. It became a nationwide event in 2012, thanks to the America's State Parks group.
These hikes are a fun way to celebrate the new year. They encourage people to get outside, exercise, and enjoy nature and history. For example, in 2017, over 62,000 people joined First Day Hikes. They walked more than 110,000 miles (180,000 km) on about 1,300 different hikes!
What are First Day Hikes Like?
The number of hikes offered in each state can be very different. In 2018, for instance, New Jersey had 30 hikes, while California offered over 80!
Hikes come in many lengths and difficulties. Many are 1–3 miles (1.6–4.8 km) long and are easy to medium difficulty. They usually start between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and last one to two hours. Some hikes are very short and easy, perfect for families with young children. Others are much harder, with big hills to climb. Some, like those at Spruce Run Recreation Area in New Jersey, can even last all day!
Guides often stop to talk about local plants, animals, or historical spots. For example, at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in New Jersey, you might learn about history. In some places, park staff even offer hot drinks and snacks after the hike. The number of people on a hike can vary a lot, from a dozen to hundreds, often depending on the weather.
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Sometimes, guides might take you to parts of a park that are usually closed to the public. This happens at places like Spring Mountain Ranch State Park in Nevada. A few hikes even offer activities other than walking. These can include horseback riding, mountain biking, or even all-terrain vehicles. Some parks have even held night hikes when the moon is very bright!
Cold weather is common on January 1st across much of the country. Hikers are always told to dress warmly in layers. If the weather is too severe, some hikes might be canceled. But many still go on, even in very cold conditions. For example, over 1,000 people in Indiana participated in 2018, even though the average temperature was only 1 °F (−17 °C)!
How Did First Day Hikes Start?
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The idea for First Day Hikes began on January 1, 1992. It started at the Blue Hills Reservation state park in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, near Boston. Patrick Flynn, the park supervisor, thought of the idea. He remembered a winter hike he enjoyed in his home state of Ohio.
That first New Year's Day hike at Blue Hills attracted 380 people. It has become so popular there that the parking lots fill up quickly. People even park along nearby roads! The start of 2018 marked the 27th annual First Day Hike at Blue Hills Reservation. Patrick Flynn even received an award for his great idea. A Massachusetts official said, "One person having one idea can really spark a revolution."
Other parks in Massachusetts, like Breakheart Reservation, also started the tradition early. By 2008, more hikes were added across Massachusetts. These were sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The hikes kept growing in popularity in that state.
Separately, another New Year's Day walk began in 1970. This was at Assateague State Park in Maryland. Two women started it to celebrate the beauty of Assateague Island. They also wanted to protest plans to build on the island. This walk became an annual tradition. It grew very popular, with up to 300 people joining. Today, this walk is part of Maryland's First Day Hikes. It is named the Ilia Fehrer / Judy Johnson Memorial Beach Walk, after the two women who started it.
In 2011, Priscilla Geigis, a park director in Massachusetts, suggested the idea to other state park directors. The idea spread quickly across the country. So, First Day Hikes became a nationwide event on January 1, 2012. The America's State Parks association led this effort. About 400 hikes were offered that year. The program has continued to grow ever since. In 2016, about 55,000 people participated. This number grew to over 62,000 in 2017, with about 1,300 hikes.
Very cold weather in 2018 caused the numbers to drop. About 32,000 people participated in 1,200 hikes that year. But numbers bounced back in 2019, with 55,000 people walking 133,000 miles. On January 1, 2020, almost 85,000 people hiked over 175,000 miles!
The COVID-19 pandemic in the United States affected the 2021 First Day Hikes. Some states, like New Jersey, canceled their guided hikes. They suggested people hike on their own. Other states, like Connecticut, offered self-guided hikes. They even had ways to share experiences online. Some states, like New York, still had guided hikes. But they were smaller and followed social distancing rules.
Why Do People Go on First Day Hikes?
The America's State Parks group says, "What better way to kick off the New Year than by getting a jump start burning off those extra holiday calories in the great outdoors?" They even once said the hikes burned off as many calories as 41,000 fast-food hamburgers!
New Jersey's park system explains it well: "These free First Day Hikes offer a great incentive to get outside, exercise, experience history, enjoy nature, and celebrate the New Year with friends and family in one of your state parks." A park official in Massachusetts simply said, "We want to launch the year saying, 'Get outside!'"
Some people join First Day Hikes to feel better after New Year's Eve celebrations. Others just love that being outdoors is the best part of the holiday. A park official in Iowa shared, "We started this as a health initiative. But it's really just grown into a good way to spend time with the family." It's a chance to do something different on the holiday.
