On New Year’s Day, outdoor enthusiasts with mobility impairments can join the national “First Day Hikes” movement in several Georgia State Parks. All-terrain wheelchairs will be available for free at Sweetwater Creek near Atlanta and Tallulah Gorge in northeast Georgia. Adventurers using these wheelchairs must register by December 27. Additional state parks have planned outings on accessible trails, including Black Rock Mountain’s Blue Ridge Overlook, High Falls’ Historic Trail, Panola Mountain’s paved trail and Skidaway Island’s Big Ferry Trail. Details can be found at GaStateParks.org/FirstDayHikes.
At Tallulah Gorge State Park, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will provide six EcoRover wheelchairs so that visitors with mobility impairments can hike 1.5 miles to Inspiration Point. Visitors will learn how to start a campfire and write down their burdens from 2024, tossing them into the fire for a fresh start to 2025. The program begins at 1 p.m., and participants are encouraged to bring their friends and family along. Hikers must register and get verified by December 27 by calling 706-754-7981.
At Sweetwater Creek State Park, participants and their loved ones can travel one mile to the iconic mill ruins along the beautiful creek. Georgia’s State Park System has partnered with the Aimee Copeland Foundation and All Terrain Georgia to have six Action Trackchairs available for the program. Hikers must get verified and make reservations by December 27 by emailing sweetwater_creek_park@dnr.ga.gov. The New Year’s Day program begins at 10 a.m.
“We are thrilled to welcome hikers of all abilities to join us for such an inspirational kick-off to 2025,” said Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Director Angie Johnson. “Providing these high-mobility all-terrain wheelchairs is just one way that the Department of Natural Resources is ensuring the great outdoors is accessible to all of Georgia’s citizens and visitors. Through the DNR’s Outdoors Beyond Barriers initiative, we have these wheelchairs at several state parks, plus accessible trails, kayak launches, fishing piers, campsites, adaptive hunts and more.”
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. In addition to the Outdoors Beyond Barriers hikes, Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites will offer nearly 70 more New Year’s Day excursions, from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain adventures. Among the more unique programs are watching sunrise over the Okefenokee Swamp at Stephen C. Foster State Park, exploring a pitcher plant bog at Jack Hill State Park, watching musket firings at Fort Morris Historic Site, and birding at Crooked River State Park. All New Year’s Day programs are listed on GaStateParks.org/FirstDayHikes.
