45 First Day Hikes In MD: Find A State Park To Visit On Jan. 1

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

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has put together a list of where you can go Dec. 31 through Jan. 2.

For 2025, Maryland State Parks will offer more than 60 hikes across 40 state parks. There are two types of hikes available:

For 2025, there will be three types of hikes available:

• Ranger-led hikes: These hikes will be led by a park ranger, have specific start times, and many require pre-registration.
• Self-guided hikes: These hikes will be available throughout the three-day period on well-marked trails. Park staff and volunteers may be available to get you started but will not be joining you on the hike itself.
• AllTrails-Guided: Maryland DNR has partnered with the AllTrails Public Lands Program to help Marylanders discover and navigate trails across our parks.

“There is no better way to start the New Year right than spending time with family and friends in the great outdoors,” said Ranger Mark Spurrier, Maryland Park Service South Central Region manager. “Begin a new tradition by visiting one of your Maryland state parks and participating in a First Day Hike near you.”

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.Here are parks taking part in the First Day Hikes:

• Assateague State Park
• Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park
• Bohemia River State Park
• Calvert Cliffs State Park
• Cedarville State Forest
• Chapman State Park
• Cunningham Falls State Park
• Cypress Branch State Park
• Dans Mountain State Park
• Deep Creek Lake State Park
• Elk Neck State Park
• Fair Hill NRMA
• Fort Frederick State Park
• Fort Frederick & Sideling Hill Creek Complex
• Gathland State Park
• Greenbrier State Park
• Greenwell State Park
• Gunpowder Falls State Park
• Gunpowder Falls State Park (Harford County)
• Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park
• Herrington Manor State Park
• Janes Island State Park
• Martinak State Park
• Merkle NRMA
• New Germany State Park
• North Point State Park
• Palmer State Park
• Patuxent River State Park
• Patuxent River State Park (Montgomery County)
• Patapsco Valley State Park (Carroll County)
• Patapsco Valley State Park (Howard County)
• Patapsco Valley State Park
• Pokomoke River State Park
• Rocks State Park
• Rocky Gap State Park
• Sandy Point State Park
• Sassafrass NRMA
• Seneca Creek State Park
• Smallwood State Park
• St. Mary's River State Park
• Susquehanna State Park
• Swallow Falls State Park
• Tuckahoe State Park (Caroline County)
• Tuckahoe State Park (Queen Anne's County)
• Wye Island NRMA

First Day Hike “I Hiked” stickers will be available at select locations while supplies last.

The DNR said residents are welcome to take a First Day Hike on any trail or at any state park during this weekend event, if you would prefer.

After your hike, you can fill out this form to let others know about your hike and how many miles you covered.