The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 9, in collaboration with partner organizations, is hosting seven First Day Hike events on Thursday, January 1, 2026. First Day Hikes encourage New Yorkers to “Get Offline, and Get Outside” this holiday season, by celebrating the New Year at State parks, historic sites, natural areas, canal trails, environmental education centers, and various other public lands across the Empire State. The 15th annual First Day Hikes program offers varied hike options for people of all experience levels at more than 115 locations throughout the state.  

 

DEC, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Canal Corporation are partnering to host these many walks and hikes taking place on New Year’s Day. A full list of New York State First Day Hikes, location details, format, pre-registration requirements and additional information can be found online for DEC, Parks, and Canals. Interested participants are encouraged to check the details of their preferred host site and register where required. 

 

In Western New York, DEC Region 9 staff and partners are hosting the following hike opportunities for the public: 

 

Allegany County: 

 

Phillips Creek State Forest: West Almond Trail System – Hike with IMPACT 

 

Date: January 1, 2026 

 

Time: Please arrive at 10:30 a.m. for hiker registration. This hike starts at 11 a.m. and will end around 12 p.m. 

 

Meet Up Location: State Route 244 Parking Area, Phillips Creek Trailhead, West Almond Trail System (GPS Coordinates: 42.252832, -77.86177) Google Maps  

 

Description: Start the New Year outdoors. Hike, snowshoe, or ski with IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc. in Phillips Creek State Forest. The following trail options will be available: Beginner Trail (0.8 mi.), Trail 1 (1.5 mi.), Trail 2 (1.25 mi.), and Trail 3 (2.0 mi.). Registration is not required for these hikes. 

 

Difficulty Level: Trail 1 and Trail 2 are easy, 1.25 – 1.5-mile loops. Trail 3 is a 2-mile loop trail with moderate elevation change. There is a bench for resting at the 1-mile mark on Trail 3, and at the 0.6-mile mark on Trail 2. The beginner Trail is 0.8 miles, with no elevation change. 

 

Special Instructions: Depending on the weather, you can choose to cross-country ski, snowshoe, or hike with us. Please dress for the weather. For safety reasons, participants are required to sign in and sign out. Cancellation due to weather conditions will be announced on the IMPACT website one day prior to the event. All ages welcome. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. 

 

Point of Contact for Inquiries: Glenn Gebhard impactfriendsgroup@gmail.com; Website: https://www.impactfriendsgroup.org/ 

  

Erie County: 

 

DEC’s Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center 

 

Date: January 1, 2026 

 

Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

 

Meet Up Location: Reinstein Woods, 93 Honorine Drive, Depew, NY 14043 (GPS Coordinates: 42.891579, -78.717847) Google Maps 

 

Description: Ring in New Year’s Day with an easy 1–2-mile hike at the Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center. A DEC Forest Ranger will lead the hike and discuss how to prepare for any outdoor adventure. Registration is required. 

 

Difficulty Level: Easy. There are a few benches along the route for resting if needed. 

 

Special Instructions: Please dress for the weather. If you need to cancel your registration, please notify us as early as possible so others can join. Visit https://reinsteinwoods.org/events/ for additional information. All ages are welcome. No pets allowed on this hike. 

 

Registration Required: Call Reinstein Woods at (716) 683-5959 by Tuesday, December 30. Registration will close once full, so make sure to register early. 

 

Point of Contact for Inquiries: Reinstein Woods info@reinsteinwoods.org; (716) 683-5959 

  

Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area: Holcomb Pond – Hike with the Finger Lakes Trail Conference 

 

Date: January 1, 2026 

 

Time: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. 

 

Meet Up Location: Holcomb Pond Parking Area, Collins, NY 14070 (GPS Coordinates: 42.452478, -78.862726) Google Maps 

 

Description: Join the Finger Lakes Trail Conference for a 2-mile hike around Holcomb Pond and through the woods of Zoar Valley to several beaver ponds and wetlands. This hike is relatively flat and features several vantage points for viewing the pond and wetlands. Registration is required. 

 

Difficulty Level: Generally easy. There are one or two shallow sloped hills or inclines, but overall, this is a relatively flat hike with few obstacles. There are several viewing points along the hike where we can stop and rest. 

 

Special Instructions: In case of snowy weather, please bring warm boots and wear layers. Walking poles can be helpful. All ages are welcome. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash.

 

Registration Required: Contact Corey Schimpf at corey.t.schimpf@gmail.com or (440) 983-0023 by Tuesday, December 30. 

 

Point of Contact for Inquiries: Corey Schimpf corey.t.schimpf@gmail.com; (440) 983-0023 

 

Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area 

 

Date: January 1, 2026 

 

Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

 

Meet Up Location: Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area east side parking area, found on the north side of Genesee Road in Erie County, on the kayak launch side of the dam (GPS Coordinates: 42.553525, -78.851631) Google Maps 

 

Description: Ring in New Year’s Day with an easy, less than 1-mile hike at Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area. A DEC Wildlife Technician will lead the hike and discuss trees, tracks, birds, and the workings of a dam. Registration is required. 

 

Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate. 

 

Special Instructions: Please dress for the weather. If you need to cancel your registration, please notify hike leader Ann Wilcox-Swanson as early as possible so others can join. All ages are welcome. No pets allowed on this hike. 

 

Registration Required: Contact Ann Wilcox-Swanson at ann.wilcox-swanson@dec.ny.gov or (716) 851-7167 by Tuesday, December 30 

 

Point of Contact for Inquiries: Ann Wilcox-Swanson ann.wilcox-swanson@dec.ny.gov; (716) 851-7167 

 

Chautauqua County: 

 

Boutwell Hill State Forest: Chautauqua County Equestrian Trail System (CCETS) and Overland Trails – Hike with the CCETS, Inc. 

 

Date: January 1, 2026 

 

Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

 

Meet Up Location: Eastside Overland Trail Parking Lot off Ruttenbur Road (GPS Coordinates: 42.348525, -79.199254) Google Maps 

 

Description: Join the Chautauqua County Equestrian Trail System, Inc. for a 2.25-mile hike along trails in the Boutwell Hill State Forest. As we hike, we will learn about the various uses of these trails and keep an eye out for wildlife in the area. Registration is required. 

 

Difficulty Level: This hike will be fairly flat, with a total elevation change of 120 feet. The trail may be wet in areas. There are several benches and a porta potty located at the trailhead. 

 

Special Instructions: Depending on the weather, waterproof boots are recommended.  If there is an exceptional amount of snow, snowshoes may be required. All ages are welcome. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. 

 

Registration Required: Email Sandra Colvenback at colvenbs@gmail.com or text (716) 680-1865 by Saturday, December 27. 

 

Point of Contact for Inquiries: Sandra Colvenback colvenbs@gmail.com; (716) 680-1865 

  

Harris Hill State Forest: Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail – Hike with the Chautauqua County Parks Department 

 

Date: January 1, 2026 

 

Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

 

Meet Up Location: Parking area at the corner of Gerry-Ellington Road (County Route 50) and Harris Hill Road in Gerry, NY (GPS Coordinates: 42.218776, -79.183317) Google Maps 

 

Description: Join the Chautauqua County Parks Department for an out-and-back style hike over varying terrain in Harris Hill State Forest. We will check out some recent trail re-routes and view the steel beam bridge over a 28th Creek tributary that was constructed by the Chautauqua County Parks Department in 2024. This hike is just under 4 miles long. Registration is required. 

 

Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate hike, along a meandering trail that traverses rolling terrain. 

 

Special Instructions: Please dress for the elements (boots, layers, gloves, hats, etc.). All ages are welcome. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. 

 

Registration Required: Contact Jamie Reynolds at reynoldj@chqgov.com or (716) 753-0266 by Wednesday, December 31. 

 

Point of Contact for Inquiries: Jamie Reynolds reynoldj@chqgov.com; (716) 753-0266 

  

Cattaraugus County: 

 

Elkdale State Forest: Finger Lakes Trail – Hike with the FootHills Trail Club and the Finger Lakes Trail Conference 

 

Date: January 1, 2026 

 

Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

 

Meet Up Location: Meet at Access 6 Elkdale Golf Course on Route 353 (GPS Coordinates: 42.20444, -78.75274). Google Maps We will carpool to the start of the hike. 

 

Description: Join the FootHills Trail Club and the Finger Lakes Trail Conference for a 5.5-mile hike on CT2/M2 Access 5 to Access 6 trail. This will take us through Elkdale State Forest and the Pat McGee Trail. Registration is not required. 

 

Difficulty Level: Moderate, with a vertical climb of 500 feet. 

 

Special Instructions: Please dress for the elements (boots, layers, gloves, hats, etc.). All ages are welcome. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. 

 

Point of Contact for Inquiries: Martin Ruszaj msruszaj@gmail.com; (716) 689-4177