All across the country, people can welcome 2025 with an inspirational “First Day Hike” on New Year’s Day. Georgia’s State Park and Historic Site rangers are offering more than 70 guided adventures where participants can connect with friends, family and the great outdoors. Visitors can choose from a variety of distances and difficulties, from kid-friendly strolls to heart-pumping treks and even wheelchair accessible trails. Participants will go home with a First Day Hikes sticker to commemorate their accomplishment as part of this nationwide movement.
This year, Georgia State Parks is partnering with the Aimee Copeland Foundation to offer accessible hikes where mobility-challenged visitors can borrow all-terrain wheelchairs free of charge. Reservations are required for these programs at Sweetwater Creek and Tallulah Gorge, and participants may bring their own all-terrain wheelchairs as well. A few more state parks have also planned First Day Hikes on accessible trails, including Panola Mountain, Florence Marina, Seminole and Richard B. Russell.
Other unique First Day Hikes include watching sunrise over the Okefenokee Swamp at Stephen C. Foster State Park, exploring a pitcher plant bog at Jack Hill State Park, a musket firing at Fort Morris Historic Site, and birding at Crooked River State Park. Dozens of additional hikes are listed on GaStateParks.org.
First Day Hikes is a national initiative from America’s State Parks that encourages people to get outside and explore nature. It began more than three decades ago, and all 50 states have participated.
For park guests who want to celebrate New Year’s Eve surrounded by fresh air rather than fireworks, Georgia’s State Parks offer cozy cabins, heated yurts and modern campsites. Fireworks and sparklers are not allowed in state parks, making them a peaceful choice for the holiday – especially those with dogs. For reservations, call 1-800-864-7275 or visit GaStateParks.org.
Calendar Listing:
January 1, 2025
First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day
Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites
Times and locations vary.
Start New Year’s Day with a ranger-led hike in one of Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites. More than 70 hikes vary from easy to challenging, creating an inspiring and memorable kick-off to 2025 for all interests and abilities. Two of the hikes are specifically for visitors borrowing all-terrain wheelchairs from Sweetwater Creek and Tallulah Gorge state parks.
#FirstDayHikes
770-389-7286
GaStateParks.org
https://gastateparks.org/FirstDayHikes
