First Day Hikes See Record Participation Nationwide

A First Day Hike in Colorado

Across the nation, a record-breaking 41,000 people kicked off the New Year with First Day Hikes January 1. All 50 states hosted outdoor adventure, offering special hikes and environmental activities to encourage adults and children to get outside and celebrate the first day of 2015.

“We invited the nation to start the year hiking in America’s state parks and more than 41,000 people answered the call,” said Priscilla Geigis, President of the National Association of State Park Directors. “We are thrilled with the turnout and hope this great showing will inspire more kids and adults to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of our state parks year-round.”

A total of 992 First Day Hikes were held nationwide, with participants logging a total of 79,442 miles. This year’s participation increased from last year’s record turnout of 27,800, as many participants have declared First Day Hikes a family tradition. Additionally, thousands more celebrated with their own state park hikes throughout the day.

From guided hikes, celebratory bike and equestrian trail rides, and historical presentations, each state’s park system sponsored unique adventures. California hosted hikes in the Redwoods, in the desert, along the coast where dozens of migrating whale were spotted, and even a snowshoe trek through its higher elevations. Many of Colorado’s state parks received up to a foot of snow on New Year’s Eve, creating a winter wonderland the following day for hikers who viewed raptors, deer and coyotes. Kids participating in Wisconsin discovered geocaches and learned about the region’s wildlife along the way. Families in Missouri were awed by wintering bald eagles, and Georgia birdwatchers were witnessed blue heron and pileated woodpeckers. Montana hikers compared the sounds of the thundering buffalo herds on a prairie to a symphony orchestra.

Click the associated link to view news coverage from First Day Hike celebrations in Utah, Washington, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, or search for other state’s highlights and adventures via social media using #firstdayhikes.

Sponsored by America’s State Parks, First Day Hikes highlight the value of state parks in providing year-round recreation, connecting Americans to the outdoors with natural and cultural opportunities, and promoting healthy lifestyles. The annual celebration originated more than 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Milton.

America’s State Parks is committed to promoting outdoor recreation in state parks as a way to address obesity, especially among children. Encouraging kids to get outside and unplug from electronics creates a unique connection with nature that promotes physical and mental well-being and promotes creativity and stewardship of our shared resources.

Hikers taking a lunch break on Sugarloaf Mountain in California

Media Contacts:

Priscilla Geigis, President, NASPD
Priscilla.geigis@state.ma.us
617.208.8500

Lewis Ledford, Executive Director, NASPD
lewis@naspd.org
919.218.9222

Gregory Miller, President, American Hiking Society
gmiller@americanhiking.org
301.565.6704 x210