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. After you complete the sheet, you can receive a sticker. The visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. First Day Hikes logo […]
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 the woods. We will meet at the Picnic Shelter located at the Mayo Mountain Access. We will have a fire, ready for you to warm […]
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 the trail. Learn about animals of Jordan Lake and their special adaptations. Wed, Jan 1 2025, 9 - 11am Ebenezer Church Recreation Area 2582 Beaver Creek Rd Apex, […]
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 offering four ranger-led hikes this year, two at 9 a.m. and two at 2 p.m. The shorter hike at 9 a.m. will offer a short […]
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 Shoals access, the park's property on the north side of the Yadkin River. In addition to the 3-mile hike, participants will get to see the […]
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 the top there will be a journaling experience for you be intentional about what goals you have for the coming year. Dress warm with appropriate […]
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 longleaf pine forest. You'll meet the oldest known living longleaf pine tree in the world, as well as the former state champion longleaf! Come dressed […]
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 easy. Wed, Jan 1 2025, 9 - 10am Raven Rock State Park 3009 Raven Rock Road Lillington, NC 27546
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 Cedar Rock Trail for a total of 2.5 miles. These trails are rated as moderate. Please come dressed for the weather and bring plenty of […]
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– you never know what you’re going to see! A great way to spend the first day of the new year! Meet at the trailhead near […]
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 Day Hike! The hike is approximately 2.4 miles round trip, so make sure to dress warmly, wear appropriate footwear, and bring snacks and water for […]
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 will be meeting at the Upper Bearwallow Picnic Shelter. Wed, Jan 1 2025, 10 - 10:30am Gorges State Park – Grassy Ridge Access 976 Grassy Ridge Road […]
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 setting the pace for a year filled with adventure and physical activity. All are welcome. Bring your family and friends. Wed, Jan 1 2025, 10 - 10:45am
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 on the 3.3-mile moderate to strenuous Sugarloaf Mountain trail. Sugarloaf’s 850-foot summit is a fitting destination with expansive views stretching across the Uwharrie Mountains, Lake […]
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 Day Hike initiative. Learn all about animal winter adaptations on this route, approximately 2 miles in length along even, natural terrain. Please dress for the […]
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 hike. Participants will get a First Day Hike sticker following the hike! No registration needed. Bring water and dress for the weather. Closed-toed shoes are […]
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 your new year off right. Hike will begin at 10:00am. Start with the group and stay with the group or find your own path! Wed, […]
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 the visitor center. Wed, Jan 1 2025, 10 - 11am Jones Lake State Park – Visitor Center 4117 NC Highway 242 N. Elizabethtown, NC 28337
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 plants and wildlife, as well as some of the history of the area. Dress for the weather, and wear your walking shoes! This hike is […]
First-Day Trek Together with Burlington Recreation & Parks! Come stroll and roll through beautiful City Park!
A good way to start the year on a trail. Join the MTA on this out-and-back 5 mile hike to Point Lookout.
Join Dr. Ken Bridle from Piedmont Land Conservancy on January 1st, 2025, for an inspiring hike
5-mile round trip hike to Point Lookout. The trail is paved and features a great view from the lookout.
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 also have free hot chocolate as a treat after the hike! Meet in the Catawba River Area (McDowell County side) office breezeway at the day-use parking […]
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 different habitats within the longleaf pine forest. Come dressed for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Meet at the visitor center. Wed, Jan 1 2025, […]
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 the "best view" of the surrounding area that Hanging Rock State Park provides. Please dress for the weather, and anticipating shedding layers as the hike […]
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 will be meeting at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead area. Wed, Jan 1 2025, 2 - 3pm Gorges State Park – Grassy Ridge Access976 Grassy Ridge RoadSapphireNC 28774
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 head and we will walk the 2.2 mile trail. Stay with the group or go at your own pace. Trail covers various terrain including very […]
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. This Ranger led program will last approximately one hour while we stop and discuss Rendezvous Mountain's history. Wed, Jan 1 2025, 2 - 3pm Rendezvous Mountain State […]
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 two or four mile hike. Stay after for hot cocoa in the picnic shelter! Both hikes will start from the picnic shelter in the Fews […]
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 offering four ranger-led hikes this year, two at 9 a.m. and two at 2 p.m. The shorter hike at 2 p.m. will offer a short […]
Join Palmer McIntyre from Piedmont Land Conservancy on January 1st, 2025, for a refreshing start to the year w
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 easy 1.5 mile. This property has more elevation change than much of the Sandhills, as well as a rare plant called the Sandhills pixiemoss (Pyxidanthera […]
Join a park ranger on a hike to Wolf Rock. On this 2-mile hike we will meander through a mixture of oaks and pines, climb out on an outcropping of quartzite, and listen for the sounds of nature. Bring water and wear weather appropriate clothing. We will start and end our hike at Shelter 4 […]
Join a Park Ranger to explore topics about what makes Hanging Rock State Park unique. Learn about what a Park Ranger does, look for creatures, and earn a Junior Ranger badge, all while hiking around our lake. The trail is an easy 1-mile loop. This program is for children ages 5-12 and their families, but all are welcome. Be sure […]
Join Jockey's Ridge State Park and the OBX Astronomy Club for an evening under the stars. Telescopes will be set up for public viewing at the visitor center parking area. Table activities for kids will take place in the Community Room. Buckle in and let an educational video take you on a trip through space. There is also HOT COCOA! Join in the fun […]
Join a park ranger on a hike to learn how to identify winter birds. You will learn how to identify birds visually and by their calls. We will hike 1.8 miles along the Wolf Rock Trail. Please wear proper hiking attire and bring water. There will be a limited number of binoculars to borrow so […]
