First Day Hikes In FL: State Parks To Visit On Jan. 1

FLORIDA — Take a break from a house full of relatives, work off the Christmas cookies and hit Florida's trails New Year's Day as part of the nationwide initiative First Day Hike.

Florida State Parks has put together a list of where you can go on Jan. 1 — there are 175 state parks across the state.

First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages all 50 states to offer outdoor hiking opportunities on the first day of the new year.

Some state parks offer ranger-guided hikes. But anyone can participate in their own First Day Hike, whether on your own or with family and friends.

For more information, contact the Statewide Information Line at (850) 245-2157 or send an email to: FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov.

Here are some of the locations open for hikers:

Northwest Florida and the Panhandle

• First Day Hike, Camp Helen State Park, Bay County.
• First Day Hike, Florida Caverns State Park, Jackson County.
• First Day Hike, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State, Okaloosa County.
• First Day Hike, St. Andrews State Park, Bay County.
• First Day Hike, T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Gulf County.
• First Day Hike, Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, Escambia County.

North Central Florida

• First Day Hike, Crystal River Preserve State Park, Citrus and Levy counties.
• First Day Hike, Dudley Farm Historic State Park, Alachua County.
• First Day Hike, Fanning Springs State Park, Gilchrist County.
• First Day Swim, Madison Blue Spring State Park, Madison County.
• First Day Hike, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Alachua County.
• First Day Hike, Price's Scrub State Park, Marion County.

Central Florida

• First Day Hike, De Leon Springs State Park, Volusia County.
• First Day Hike, Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach, Flagler County.
• First Day Hike, Tomoka State Park., Volusia County.

Southwest Florida

• First Day Hike, Collier-Seminole State Park, Collier County.
• First Day Hike, Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, Sumter County.
• First Day Hike, Highlands Hammock State Park, Highlands, Hardee counties.
• First Day Hike, Hillsborough River State Park, Hillsborough County.

South Florida

• First Day Hike, Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park, Martin County.
• First Day Hike, Bahia Honda State Park, Monroe County.
• First Day Hike, Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, Broward County.
• First Day Hike, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Monroe County.
• First Day Hike, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Broward County.
• First Day Hike, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin County.
• First Day Hike, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach County.
• First Day Hike, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Monroe County.
• First Day Hike, Oleta River State Park, Miami-Dade County.

Here are a few tips for hikers:

• Stay on the trail. Wandering off the trail can cause you to become injured or lost.
• Be courteous and observe trail etiquette. Communicate with others as you pass.
• Bring supplies. You’ll need drinking water, insect repellent, sunscreen and a hat.
• Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes to help prevent injury.
• Never feed or touch wildlife. If you encounter wildlife on the trail, keep your distance and back away slowly.