Seasonal & Holidays
First Day Hikes In VA: 43 State Parks To Visit Jan. 1
First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative to draw people outdoors on New Year's Day 2025. Check out where to hike in Virginia.
VIRGINIA — Take a break from a house full of relatives, work off the Christmas cookies and hit Virginia's trails New Year's Day as part of the nationwide initiative First Day Hike.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has put together a list of 43 Virginia State Parks to visit on Jan. 1.
Whether you prefer a solo adventure or joining ranger-led hikes and activities, the parks offer numerous ways to enjoy nature.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Parking is free at all Virginia State Parks on Jan. 1, and visitors to each park will receive a celebratory sticker for the First Day Hike while supplies last.
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.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
There are two 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. There are 60 planned in the state between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
- Self-guided hikes: These hikes will be available throughout the weekend, on marked trails. Park staff and volunteers may be available to get you started but will not be joining you on the hike itself.
For more information and reservations, call 800-933-7275.
Here are parks taking part in the First Day Hikes:
- Bear Creek Lake
- Belle Isle
- Breaks Interstate
- Caledon
- Chippokes
- Claytor Lake
- Clinch River
- Culpeper Battlefields
- Douthat
- Fairy Stone
- False Cape
- First Landing
- Grayson Highlands
- High Bridge Trail
- Holliday Lake
- Hungry Mother
- James River
- Kiptopeke
- Lake Anna
- Leesylvania
- Machicomoco
- Mason Neck
- Natural Bridge
- Natural Tunnel
- New River Trail
- Occoneechee
- Pocahontas
- Powhatan
- Sailor's Creek Battlefield
- Seven Bends
- Shenandoah River
- Shot Tower
- Sky Meadows
- Smith Mountain Lake
- Southwest Virginia Museum Historical
- Staunton River
- Staunton River Battlefield
- Sweet Run
- Twin Lakes
- Westmoreland
- Widewater
- Wilderness Road
- York River
For more information and reservations, call 800-933-7275.
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