The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) invites New Yorkers to celebrate the New Year exploring the outdoors at one of the 75 hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas and trails across the Empire State.  The guided hikes are being hosted by New York State Parks and the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as part of the seventh annual First Day Hikes program taking place throughout the nation on January 1, 2018. 

“First Day Hikes have become a popular outdoor tradition for families and friends; a healthy way to kick off the New Year amidst the stunning beauty of our state’s most scenic natural backdrops, said Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “This year’s program includes an expanded variety of winter walks and hikes, and is the perfect reminder that New York’s parks are open year-round, offering world-class recreation and enjoyment for people with varying interests and abilities.”

Hikes are being offered at 14 DEC wildlife areas, Forest Preserve trails and environmental educations centers and 59 state parks and historic sites with some facilities offering multiple hikes for different age groups, skill level and destinations within the park.  Staff from State Parks and DEC, along with volunteers at many sites, will lead these family-friendly walks and hikes, which range from one to five miles depending on the location and conditions. 

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Start the New Year off on the right foot by participating in the popular annual First Day Hike at one of New York’s magnificent outdoor destinations. DEC is proud to partner with State Parks to help New Yorkers of all ages and abilities enjoy this growing tradition, which brings friends and families together in our State’s great outdoors.”

A sample of this year’s programs feature a seal walk, walking history tour, snowshoe waterfall hike, pet-friendly treks, gorge walks, military musicology, canal towpath walk and more.  New entries for 2018 include a bird survey, full-moon hike, mountain trails, views from a fire tower, and a walk through a maritime forest. 

“America’s State Parks provide havens for young and old alike to discover the tranquility and beauty of nature through outdoor recreation,” National Association of State Park Directors Executive Director Lewis Ledford said. “Hiking offers inspiring ways to improve your physical and mental health, while exploring beautiful public lands in every state.”

If weather conditions permit, some First Day Hikes may include snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.  Many host sites will be offering refreshments, giveaways and a drawing for a 2018 annual Empire Pass.  A list of the following hikes, and details about hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain, registration requirements and additional information are listed at https://parks.ny.gov/events/first-day-hikes.aspx 

Western New York

Allegany State Park- Red House, self-guided anytime 10am-2pm; 716.354.9101 x.232

DeVeaux Woods State Park, Niagara Falls; 10am; 716.282.5154

Evangola State Park, Irving; 10am; 716.549.1050

Genesee Valley Greenway, Canawaugus Park, Scottsville; 11am; (2 hikes from this location) 585.493.3614

Genesee Valley Greenway, Route 305 Parking, Belfast; 1pm; (2 hikes from this location) 585.493.3614

Genesee Valley Greenway, Route 408 Parking, Mt. Morris; 11am

Knox Farm State Park, East Aurora; 11am; 716.549.1050

Letchworth State Park, Castile; 1pm; (four hikes); 585.493.3600

Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls; 1:30pm; 716.282.5154

Reinstein Woods, Depew; 11am; 716.683.5959

Finger Lakes & Central New York

Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, Westford; 10am; 607.638.5421

Bowman Lake State Park/McDonough State Forest, Oxford; 11am; 607.334.2718

Catharine Valley Trail, Watkins Glen; 10am; 607.535.4511

Chenango Valley State Park, Chenango Forks; 1pm; (2 hikes) 607.648.5251

Clark Reservation State Park, Jamesville; 11am; 315.492.1590

Fort Ontario State Historic Site, Oswego; 10am; 315.343.4711

Gilbert Lake State Park, Laurens; 10am; 607.432.2114

Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville; 11am; 315.637.6111

Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, Savannah; 1pm; 315.365.2134

Seneca Lake State Park, Geneva; 9am; 315.789.2331

Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg; 1pm; (three hikes) 607.387.7041 ext. 131

Two Rivers State Park, Waverly; 10am; 607.732.6287

North Country/Adirondacks

Hadley Mountain, Hadley, 9am; 518.623.1200

Poke-O-Moonshine, Keeseville; 10am; 518.897.1200

Robert G. Wehle State Park, Henderson; 10:30am; 315.938.5302

Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, Sackets Harbor; 1:30pm; 315.646.2321

Stillwater Fire Tower, Webb; 10am; 315.785.2263

Wellesley Island State Park, Fineview; 1pm; 315.482.2479

Willie Wildlife Marsh, Johnstown; 9:30am; 518.863.4545

Greater Capital District

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, Delmar; 9-11am; 518.475.0291

Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton; 4pm; 518.279.1155

Mine Kill State Park, North Blenheim; 11am; 518.827.8690

Moreau Lake State Park, Gansevoort; 11am; 518.793.0511

Peebles Island State Park, Waterford; 10am; 518-732-0187

Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs; 10am; 518.584.2000 ext. 116

Schodack Island State Park, Schodack Landing; 1pm; (2 hikes) 518.732.0187

Thacher State Park, Voorheesville; 11am; 518.872.0800

Hudson Valley/Catskills

FDR State Park, Yorktown; 10:30am; 914.245.4434

Hudson Highlands State Park, Cold Spring;11am;

John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, Katonah; 1pm; 914.232.5651

Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Peter’s Kill, Kerhonkson; 1-4:30pm; 845.255.0752

Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Sam’s Point, Cragsmoor; 9:30am & 2pm; (two hikes) 845.647.7989

North South Lake, Hunter; 9am; 518.357.2068

Olana State Historic Site, Hudson; 11am; 518.828.0135 x303

Old Croton Aqueduct, Cortlandt; 12pm;  914.522.5000

Rochester Hollow, Big Indian; 10am; 845.256.3083

Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville; 9am; 914.666.6503

Split Rock Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo; 12:30 pm; 607.746.9694

Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo; 11am; 845.351.5907

Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center, Wappingers Falls; 10am-12pm; 845.831.3800

Taconic State Park - Copake Falls, Copake Falls; 1pm; 518.329.3993

Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park; Poughkeepsie; 2pm; 845-834-2867

NYC & Long Island

Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale; 10am; 516.249.3560

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, Lloyd Neck; 1pm; 631.581.1072

Clay Pit Ponds, Staten Island; 1pm; 718.605.3970 x201

Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale; 1pm; 631.581.1072

Hallock State Park Preserve, Wading River; 12pm; 631.315.5475

Jones Beach State Park, Wantaugh; 1:30-3pm; 516.780.3295

Montauk Point State, Montauk; 1:30pm; 631.668.5000 x201

Mount Loretto Unique Area; Staten Island; 10am; 718.313.8591

Ridge Conservation Area, Ridge; 9am; 631.444.0200

Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park; 1pm;631.581.1072

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which are visited by 69 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.parks.ny.gov, connect with us on Facebook, or follow on Instagram and Twitter.