What are your plans for the first day of the New Year? How about getting outdoors for a walk? On New Year’s Day all 50 states will offer free, guided First Day Hike programs, part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage families to enjoy some outdoor recreation.
Our family has participated in a First Day Hike each of the last two years. In 2016 we walked the trails at Patapsco State Park’s McKeldin area, and last year we hiked to the waterfall at Rocks State Park. Knowledgeable and friendly park staff or volunteers led each of the hikes, which moved at a moderate pace and included men and women of all ages, children, and dogs. Each year we stopped along the trail and gathered around when our leader shared information about the area, or slowed to give everyone an opportunity to enjoy a particularly scenic view. Both years it was cold outside (especially 2016), but dressed in layers we were very comfortable once we got moving.
Of course Team PropTalk staff understands that some of our readers will want to start off the year with a boat ride. But for the rest of us, who’ve tucked our boats away for the winter, First Day Hikes are a great way to start the New Year with some fresh air and exercise. Why not gather your boating, angling, or paddling friends and join us?
Maryland and Virginia’s state park systems each offered about 30 First Day Hikes in 2017. They vary in length, level of difficulty, and start time. Many are not too long or too challenging, so the whole family can come along. Look for information on Maryland hikes at
dnr.maryland.gov and on Virginia hikes at
dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks.
by Beth Crabtree
Maryland First Day Hikes
- Assateague State Park
- Calvert Cliffs State Park
- Cedarville State Forest
- Chapman State Park
- Cunningham Falls State Park
- Dans Mountain State Park
- Deep Creek Lake State Park
- Elk Neck State Park
- Fair Hill NRMA
- Fort Frederick State Park
- Gambrill State Park
- Greenbrier State Park
- Gunpowder Falls State Park, Jerusalem Mill
- Gunpowder Falls State Park, Big Gunpowder (Kingsville)
- Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park
- Herrington Manor State Park
- Janes Island State Park
- Martinak State Park
- Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary
- New Germany State Park
- North Point State Park
- Patapsco Valley State Park, Orange Grove (Avalon entrance)
- Patapsco Valley State Park, McKeldin Area
- Patuxent River State Park
- Pocomoke River State Park
- Rocks State Park, Falling Branch
- Rocky Gap State Park
- Sandy Point State Park
- Seneca Creek State Park
- Soldiers Delight NEA
- South Mountain State Battlefield
- St. Mary's River State Park
- Susquehanna State Park
- Tuckahoe State Park
Virginia First Day Hikes
- Bear Creek Lake State Park
- Belle Isle State Park
- Caledon State Park
- Chippokes Plantation State Park
- Claytor Lake State Park
- Douthat State Park
- Fairy Stone State Park
- False Cape State Park
- First Landing State Park
- Grayson Highlands State Park
- High Bridge Trail State Park
- Holliday Lake State Park
- Hungry Mother State Park
- James River State Park
- Kiptopeke State Park
- Lake Anna State Park
- Leeslyvania State Park
- Mason Neck State Park
- Natural Bridge State Park
- Natural Tunnel State Park
- New River Trail State Park
- Occoneechee State Park
- Pocahontas State Park
- Powhatan State Park
- Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park
- Shenandoah River State Park
- Smith Mountain Lake State Park
- Southwest Virginia Museum
- Staunton River State Park
- Staunton River Battlefield State Park
- Twin Lakes State Park
- Westmoreland State Park
- Wilderness Road State Park
- York River State Park