According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, state parks across Indiana and the rest of the country will be hosting guided hikes on January 1st, as part of their First Day Hike program.
DNR states that the hikes are organized in cooperation with America’s State Parks and that they will take place in all 50 states.
Locally, Tippecanoe River State Park, Indiana Dunes State Park, and Potato Creek State Park will all be hosting First Day Hikes.
Tippecanoe River State Park in Winamac will hold their First Day Hike beginning at 11am Eastern Time. Instructions state to meet at Trail 8’s parking area at 11am for a 1.2-mile hike through the Sand Hill Nature Preserve.
Indiana Dunes State Park near Chesterton will begin their First Day Hike at the City West Shelter, and will host a 2-mile loop along the beach at Trail 7 beginning at 10am Central Time. Snacks and a cozy campfire will be provided by Friends of the Indiana Dunes.
Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty will begin their First Day Hike at 2pm Eastern Time at the Nature Center. They will host a 1-mile moderate hike on Trail 1, then warm up around a campfire with s’mores and hot drinks. Visitors should bring binoculars to be prepared for the possibility of viewing eagles and other wildlife.
First Day Hikes began more than 30 years ago at Blue Hills Reservation, which is a state park in Massachusetts. The program was launched to help foster more healthy lifestyles and to promote year-round recreation at state parks.
