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First Day Hikes Draw Crowds to State Parks Nationwide on New Year’s Day

States tailor offerings to local conditions, balancing access with safety.

Overview

  • Texas Parks and Wildlife urged advance day-pass reservations as some parks were expected to hit capacity, highlighting a $70 annual Texas State Park Pass that waives entrance fees for the passholder’s vehicle.
  • Texas events feature guided and self-guided outings alongside bike rides, paddling trips and polar plunges, with trails ranging from family-friendly walks to more challenging routes.
  • Connecticut scheduled guided and self-guided hikes, walks and tours at 16 parks and forests, with officials noting free entry for visitors arriving in Connecticut-registered vehicles through the Passport to Parks program.
  • New York marked the program’s 15th year with staff-led and self-guided options, including North Fork hikes at Orient Beach, Hallock State Park Preserve and Wildwood State Park with distances generally between one and five miles.
  • Maine hosted guided hikes at Camden Hills, Holbrook Island Sanctuary, Sebago Lake and Two Lights, with additional self-guided and virtual choices, while Wisconsin offered free First Day Hikes at about 30 parks with snowshoeing, skiing, bonfires and warming shelters.