If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more active, you can get off on the right foot on the very first day of 2024. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation has recently announced the return of the annual New Year’s Day First Day Hikes at many North Carolina State Parks.
As the name suggests, the hiking events will take place at most NC state parks on January 1. Participants will be able to enjoy breathtaking scenic views of the Tarheel state as they walk along different trails and paths according to their comfort level and hiking experience.
In a recent news release, State Parks Director Brian Strong spoke excitedly about the upcoming events for First Day Hikes. “After a few years of smaller First Day Hikes programming, we are excited to offer a wide variety of guided hikes and events at most of our state parks for 2024,” Strong said. “We hope our visitors take the opportunity, as we wrap up the holiday season, to bring family and friends and begin a new year of outdoor adventures together.”
First Day Hikes is a nationwide event put together by the National Association of State Park Directors. While the tradition itself is over 30 years old, it wasn’t until 2012 that all 50 states participated.
Boasting over 40 state parks and a seemingly endless array of picturesque landscapes, North Carolina is more than well-suited for this sort of thing. There are many official First Day Hikes events set to take place across various North Carolina state parks. Registration is required at most of them so make sure you’re quick to sign up if you wish to participate.
The official list of upcoming First Day Hikes in North Carolina State Parks can be seen here, but here are some of the can’t-miss events. Whether you’re a novice hiker or a seasoned backpacker, these are the perfect First Day Hikes events for you!
