For thousands of New Yorkers, First Day Hikes are a favorite way to ring in the New Year.  

This tradition is an opportunity to get active outside with friends and family while working towards your New Year’s resolutions. 2025 marks the fourteenth iteration of the event in New York State, with hikes taking place on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 

More than 90 hikes will take place across New York’s public lands, at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, forest preserves, nature centers, and canal trails. These family-friendly hikes range from one to five miles, based on location and trail conditions. No matter your experience level or time commitment, there’s a suitable adventure to be found! 

These hikes take place in the most beautiful parts of New York and provide a chance to learn about the world around us. With opportunities to explore the history of our state and the wildlife which inhabit it, First Day Hikes stimulate your body and mind, setting you up for a year of positive physical and mental wellbeing. 

Particularly notable hikes to kick off 2025 include:

• a historic landscape and winter wildlife hike at Crown Point State Historic Site along Lake Champlain
• a scenic hike up the Appalachian Trail to Perkins Memorial Tower at Bear Mountain State Park
• an exploration of Shirley Chisholm State Park
• a hike along the old tow paths of the Erie Canal at Schoharie Crossing
• a hike to the fire tower at Grafton Lakes State Park as well as a route accessible for most wheelchair users
• a hike long the Lake Erie shoreline at Evangola State Park
• a hike focusing on Indigenous history on Peebles Island 

No matter where you find yourself on New Year’s Day, there’s a First Day Hike nearby. Check your preferred locations for details about registration and starting times. 

You can view the full list of First Day Hike locations, registration requirements, and itineraries for state parks, DEC lands, and canalways on their respective websites or by using the map. 

As always with winter hiking, remember to dress warmly, wear non-cotton layers, use condition-appropriate footwear, and consider adding traction devices like ice cleats for additional stability. Stay hydrated, check the weather before you go and remember to stick only to marked trails. 

Make getting offline and getting outside a part of your New Year’s tradition and join us for the fourteenth annual First Day Hikes! Find participating state parks and historic sites by visiting our dedicated events landing page. 

– Written by Jennifer Robilotto, OPRHP Public Affairs Assistant