Washington State Parks will be inviting the public to take a First Day Hike on January 1st, 2022. First Day Hikes offers an experience for everyone to get outside and enjoy our beautiful state parks. Participate in ranger and staff-led hikes, dog strolls, cross-country ski trips and more offered at 40+ parks on New Year’s Day. When you are done, don’t forget to pick up your free, collectible Washington State Parks 2022 First Day Hikes pin!
First Day Hike activities include:
- A 5.5-mile, ranger-led hike on the Columbia Plateau Trail in southeastern Washington
- A .25-mile staff-led trip on a paved walkway to views of Palouse Falls with geological information.
- A dog-friendly stroll at Sacajawea State Park.
- A guided snowshoe at Lake Wenatchee with snowshoe rentals available.
- A stroller-accessible hike in an old-growth forest at Millersylvania
- And much more!
First Day Hikes is a national initiative led by America’s State Parks, encouraging people to get outdoors on New Year’s Day. Last year, nearly 85,000 people hiked over 176,366 miles during these free events throughout the nation.
First Day Hikes will range in difficulty from paved, flat ADA-accessible trails to moderate hill climbs. A few parks will host more than one hike with options tailored to various interests and abilities. Additionally, some hikes may include an educational component as rangers will speak on the history or natural features of the area.
Most First Day Hikes require advanced registration and group sizes may be limited. Visit our website to view all activities and registration information. All hikes are free and you will NOT need a Discover Pass on Jan. 1, our first Washington State Parks Free Day of 2022. However, you may need to register for some events with participation limits and/or purchase the appropriate Sno-Park permit
