On December 18, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it will host more than 70 guided hikes in 46 state parks and one forest district on New Year’s Day, as part of the nationwide “First Day Hike” initiative.

These guided hikes, all taking place on Wednesday, January 1, help promote a healthy start in the new year while offering every Pennsylvanian an opportunity to forge new and stronger connections with the outdoors.

“First Day Hikes are the perfect way to start the year by immersing yourself in Pennsylvania’s natural spaces,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “This year, we’re encouraging everyone to connect with our public lands — whether that means discovering programs at our state parks, exploring new outdoor activities, or uncovering the rich history preserved within our landscapes. Let’s make 2025 a year of connection and exploration.”

DCNR staff and forest staff, as well as volunteers lead the hikes, which are usually about one or two miles. Some hikes can be longer depending on the park and its terrain.

Click Here for a list of DCNR State Parks and Forests hosting First Day Hikes.

Click Here for details on individual hikes where you can filter hikes by various audiences, including families, seniors, and pet-friendly options.

As a part of Mosaic, the department’s initiative to create a more inclusive environment in outdoor spaces, and in response to survey data identifying challenges and equity concerns, DCNR is hosting Mosaic hikes at several parks.

Hikers are invited to share their experience on social media using #FirstDayHikes.

First Day Hikes are organized by the National Association of State Park Directors to promote healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks.

All 50 states have cooperatively sponsored First Day Hikes since 2012.

Visit America’s State Parks website for more information on First Day Hikes nationally.

The Great American Getaway

Earlier this year, Governor Josh Shapiro launched the Commonwealth’s new tourism brand, Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway. Pennsylvania’s state parks offer free opportunities to take a break from the daily grind and enjoy natural spaces.

Each year, America’s state parks receive more than 725 million visits, which helps contribute billions of dollars to the U.S economy.

State parks are a “close to home” resource and an important part of our country’s fabric, enhancing our quality of life.

The Shapiro Administration is committed to investing in the outdoors for the mental and physical health benefits tied to time in nature.

DCNR recently celebrated $10 million in support for trail projects across the Commonwealth and Pennsylvania’s 2023-24 budget included $112 million for state park and forest infrastructure, the single largest investment in public land infrastructure in decades. Respondents to recent DCNR surveys overwhelmingly agree that increasing permanent funding for parks and recreation should be a priority.

30th Anniversary Of DCNR

In 2025, DCNR is trekking into its 30th anniversary and will celebrate its stewardship of the Commonwealth’s 124 state parks, 2.2 million acres of state forestland, and the work it does to make nature a better place for Pennsylvanians and visitors alike throughout its anniversary year.

Check out DCNR’s 2024 Wrapped on Facebook to learn more about the department’s highlights from the past year.

In addition to First Day Hikes, many Pennsylvania state parks also have self-guided hikes, story walks, and adventure labs available in all four seasons.

Click Here for DCNR’s First Day Hikes announcement.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

Related Articles:

-- DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians To Trek Into 2025 During New Year's Day First Day Hikes Across The Commonwealth  [PaEN]

-- PA Natural Heritage Program Newsletter Highlights Monitoring The Upper Middle Allegheny River; Weasel Survey; Monitoring Vernal Pools; Invasive Jumping Worms; Mussel Restoration  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program Awards $40,000 To Recreation, Signage, & Education Projects [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Jan. 16 Webinar On Forest Carbon Markets And Payment Programs Expert Panel  [PaEN]

-- Dec. 20 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation  [PaEN]

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation: Bob Ross Happy Little 5K (Virtual) Run Registration Kicks Off To Support Tree Plantings

NewsClips:

-- River Reporter: Barbara Yeaman, Founder Of Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Turns 100

-- PennLive: Capital Area Greenbelt In Harrisburg Born More Than A Century Ago

-- WVIA: There Can Only Be One: Delaware River Among 3 PA Waterways Up For State River Of The Year

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Environmental Group Files Lawsuit To Ban ATVs In PA State Forests

-- LehighValleyLive.com: Lawsuit Seeks To Once Again Ban ATVs From PA State Forests

-- Tribune-Democrat: ‘Resiliency’ Project To Replace Struggling Flight 93 Memorial Tree Grove Moving Forward, US Park Service Says

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna County Seeks Volunteers For New Park Ambassadors Program

-- TribLive: Vandalism Does $50,000 Damage To Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Vehicles In Frick Park

-- AP: American Chestnuts Are Part Of Yuletide Lore; But In The US They’ve Nearly Been Wiped Out

-- North Branch Land Trust: Jan. 18 Tree ID Hike In Forest Echo Bird Sanctuary, Luzerne County

-- Warren Times: USDA Releases More Hungry Beetles In Allegheny National Forest To Combat Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

-- Jan. 22 Webinar: How Invasive Plants Drive An Insect Invasion, Penn State Extension  [PaEN]

[Posted: December 18, 2024]

12/23/2024