First Day Hike Scavenger Hunt at Dismal Swamp State Park

Dismal Swamp State Park 2294 US 17 N, South Mills

For First Day Hike 2025, Dismal Swamp is offering a self-guided scavenger hunt! Stop by the visitor center to pick up the scavenger hunt sheet, follow the directions, and explore. […]

First Day Hike at Hammocks Beach State Park

Hammocks Beach State Park 1572 Hammocks Beach Road, NC

Maritime Eco-Hike Join a park ranger on the first day of 2025 for an adventure-packed maritime eco-hike following our nature trails through the woods! Deer, eagles, a scampering wild turkey– […]

First Day Hike at Stone Mountain State Park

stone mountain state park Backpack Parking trailhead N36.39460, W81.06890

Join a Ranger for your first hike of 2025 at the Lower Trail Head at 9:00 AM. The hike will start on the Wolf Rock Trail and connect into the […]

First Day Hike at Raven Rock State Park

Raven Rock State Park 3009 Raven Rock Road, Lillington

Join a Park Ranger on this one-hour hike to discover some of the natural wonders of this piedmont landmark to celebrate First Day Hikes. Hike is 0.5 miles long and is […]

First Day Hike: Boyd Tract

Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines

Start the year off right by getting outside for a First Day Hike! For this hike at the Boyd Tract, we will hike an easy 1 mile through old growth […]

First Day Hike at Pilot Mountain State Park

Pilot Mountain State Park - Bean Shoals Access 622 Hauser Road, Pinnacle

Come out to Pilot Mountain's Bean Shoals access on January 1, 2025 for a guided first day hike on the Horne Creek trail! This trail is located at the Bean […]

First Day Hikes at Fort Macon State Park

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Rd., NC

First Day Hikes – 9 a.m. (one short and one long) Start off the new year with a hike in your favorite state park. Fort Macon State Park will be […]

First Day Hike: To Hanging Rock!

Hanging Rock State Park 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, NC

Bring your thermos, a warm snack, and a journal as we celebrate the New Year by getting outside and experiencing nature with this guided hike up to Hanging Rock. At […]

First Day Hike at Mayo River State Park

Mayo River State Park - Mayo Mountain Access 500 Old Mayo Park Road, North Carolina

Join us for a guided 1.8-mile hike along the fox trail. A ranger will navigate, while sharing inspired insight as we start the new year off with a stroll through […]

Jordan Lake First Day Hike

Ebenezer Church Recreation Area 2582 Beaver Creek Rd, Apex

Come join a park Ranger on a scavenger hunt at Ebenezer Church Recreation Area to kick off the New Year!  The hike consists of locating various park animal silhouettes throughout […]

First Day Hike Scavenger Hunt

Boone Fork Parking Area Linville

Meet a ranger at the Boone Fork Parking Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway (mile marker 299.9) to grab a scavenger hunt to complete on Nuwati Trail for your First […]

First Day Hike – Upper Bearwallow Falls

Gorges State Park - Grassy Ridge Access 976 Grassy Ridge Road, NC

Join Park Staff for a 2025  First Day Hike to the Upper Bearwallow Falls Overlook. Please be prepared for a moderate, 30 minute hike, with proper footwear and water. We […]

First Day Dune Hike

Jockey's Ridge State Park 300 W Carolista Dr., NC

Kick the year off right by joining Ranger Austin for a fun and informative hike to the ridge.  We will discuss all things Jockey's Ridge.  Let us embrace 2025 by […]

First Day Hike at Lake Norman State Park

Lake Norman State Park 759 State Park Drive, NC

What a better way to ring in the New Year than by taking a hike with a Ranger? Meet at the swim beach parking lot for a 1 to 1.5-mile […]

First Day Hike at Jones Lake State Park

Jones Lake State Park 4177 NC 242, NC

Start 2025 with a guided hike around a Carolina bay lake. Learn about the flora and fauna of this unique environment while we hike an easy 1 mile. Meet at […]

First Day Hike: Animal Superpowers In Winter

Haw River State Park - Iron Ore Belt Access 6068 N. Church Street, NC

Join us at the Iron Ore Belt Access of Haw River State Park for a leisurely walk with a North Carolina State Parks Education Specialist as part of the First […]

First Day Hike at Morrow Mountain State Park

Morrow Mountain State Park 49104 Morrow Mountain Rd, North Carolina

Come out to Morrow Mountain State Park on New Year’s Day to get your wellness goals started off on the right foot. Join a park ranger for a guided hike […]

First Day Hike at Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach State Park 1010 State Park Road, North Carolina

Join a Park Ranger to hike the Sugarloaf Trail at the Marina for a two mile round trip hike to Sugarloaf Dune.  Lace up your shoes, bring water and start […]

First Day Hike (Salmon Creek State Natural Area)

Bertie Beach 243 Bal Gra Road, Merry Hill

Join park ranger Katie Sanford for a leisurely, approximately 2-mile hike at Bertie Beach. This county-owned property adjoins Salmon Creek State Natural Area in Merry Hill, NC. Learn about local […]

First Day Hike: Weymouth Tract

Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines

Start the year off right by getting outside for a First Day Hike! For this hike at the Weymouth Tract, we will hike an easy 2 miles to see the […]

First Day Hike at Lake James State Park

Catawba River Office Breezeway 2785 NC Hwy 126, Nebo

Put your best foot forward in 2025! Join Ranger Hughes for a nature walk along the Fox Den Loop Trail for Lake James State Park’s first guided hike of the year. We'll […]

First Day Hike: To The Tower!

Moore's Wall Trail 1280 Campground Rd., Danbury

Join Ranger Fields on this moderate to challenging hike to the old fire tower on top of the mountain. This is the highest point of the park, and quite possibly […]

First Day Hike – Raymond Fisher Pond

Gorges State Park - Grassy Ridge Access 976 Grassy Ridge Road, NC

Join Park Staff for a 2025 First Day Hike down the Raymond Fisher Pond Trail. Please be prepared for a moderate, 60 minute hike, with proper footwear and water. We […]

Fort Fisher First Day Walk

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area 1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach

Start 2025 outside and active.  Join us for a hike on the Basin Trail at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.  Meet at 2pm at the Flag Pole beside the trail […]

First Day Hike at Rendezvous Mountain State Park

Rendezvous Mountain State Park 1956 Rendezvous Mountain Rd, Purlear

On January 1st 2025 at 2pm, you can meet at the park office, (two story cabin building) for a Ranger led one mile stroll through the mountains mixed hardwood forest. […]

First Day Hikes at Fort Macon State Park

Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Rd., NC

First Day Hikes – 2 p.m. (one short and one long) Start off the new year with a hike in your favorite state park. Fort Macon State Park will be […]

First Day Hikes at Eno River

Eno River State Park – Fews Ford Access Picnic Shelter 6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham

Start the New Year on the right foot with guided hikes along the Eno River! Join staff from Eno River State Park and the Eno River Association for either a […]

First Day Hike: Paint Hill Tract

Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines

Start the year off right by getting outside for a First Day Hike! For this hike at one of Weymouth Woods' satellite properties, Paint Hill Tract, we will hike an […]