Washington residents are invited to celebrate the new year with Washington State Parks during the First Day Hikes events on Jan. 1, 2025. 

More than 30 state parks will host staff-led and self-guided hikes, snowshoe excursions, trail rides, polar plunges, scavenger hunts and more on New Year’s Day. 

First Day Hikes events vary in difficulty, ranging from smooth, flat Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible trails to moderate hill climbs. A few parks will offer multiple hikes catering to different interests and abilities. Additionally, several hikes will include talks with rangers, which allow attendees to learn about the park's history and natural features.

First Day Hikes experiences for visitors to check out include:

• A 2.5-mile trek on scenic trails and through historic structures at Fort Worden.

• A photo scavenger hunt at Palouse Falls, home to Washington’s official state waterfall.

• A cold-water plunge experience at Maryhill’s swim beach.

• A guided 2.5-mile snowshoe hike at Lake Wenatchee with limited free snowshoe rentals available.

• A 1.5-mile exploration of the lush, old-growth forest at South Whidbey.

• A self-guided ride with your horse and other riders along the well-maintained, equestrian-friendly trails of Bridle Trails.

• ADA-accessible hikes at Bridle Trails, Columbia Plateau Trail, Lake Sylvia, Palouse Falls, Seaquest and Wenatchee Confluence.

First Day Hikes is a national initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages everyone to embrace the outdoors as the new year begins. Last year, more than 1,700 participants hiked, biked and snowshoed 2,907.2 miles of trails in Washington’s state parks.   

Most First Day Hikes require advanced registration, and group sizes may be limited. Select hikes will have snowshoes available for visitors to reserve. Visit https://tinyurl.com/3ha76f6d to view activities and registration information. 

New Year’s Day also marks the first Discover Pass free day of 2025 on state-managed lands. Visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park on state recreation lands. Those planning to participate in a First Day Hike at a park that becomes a Sno-Park during the winter (Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee and Mount Spokane), a Sno-Park permit is required. 

Local First Day Hikes

Lewis and Clark State Park in South Lewis County will host a First Day Hike.

“Come join Park staff as we explore the beautiful old-growth forest that Lewis and Clark State Park has to offer,” State Parks wrote in a news release. “Participants will learn about the area's rich history as well as the abundant flora and fauna. This scenic hike takes visitors under towering cedar and fir trees strung with lichen and moss, and through a lush understory teeming with ferns. The hike will begin in the (Civilian Conservation Corps) kitchen shelter where a warm fire and drinks and snacks will be provided. Enjoy a short show-and-tell session on the local wildlife as hikers are arriving. This year we're implementing an educational scavenger hunt, adding to the fun along the trail.”

All ages are welcome on the hike, which is 2 miles round trip. It will occur from 10 a.m. to noon. The park is closed to cars in the winter, so attendees are asked to park across Jackson Highway in the gravel lot and walk the road past the park entrance gate to the kitchen shelter where the hike begins. Registration is not required.

Another area First Day Hike will be held at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center near Seaquest State Park.

The “Birdwalk on the Boardwalk” will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

“Come join park staff for a birding experience in the wetland ecosystem of Silver Lake,” State Parks wrote in a news release. “This hike can take up to 1.5 hours for the full experience. For folks wanting a longer hike afterwards, we encourage you to check out nearby Seaquest State Park, with over 5 miles of forested trails.”

The hike is a little more than half a mile in length. All ages are welcome to attend. Registration is not required.

Though the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center will be closed Jan. 1, the parking lot will remain open. Attendees should park in the upper or lower lot and meet in front of the building.