(The Center Square) – Want to celebrate New Year’s Day? Take a hike.
That’s the recommendation of Washington State Parks, which is organizing staff-led and self-guided outings at more than 40 parks on Monday, Jan. 1.
The “first day” hikes of 2024 will also include snowshoe excursions, dog walks, bike and trail rides, paddle adventures and more. They will range in difficulty from flat, paved trails that are ADA-accessible to moderate hill climbs.
“A few parks will host more than one hike with options tailored to different interests and abilities,” the agency said in press release. “Additionally, some hikes will include fund and educational talks with rangers where you can learn about the history and natural features of the parks.”
Distance and rigor vary from park to park, but all hikes aim to create a fun experience for the whole family, say parks officials. Most hikes require advanced registration, and group sizes may be limited. Select hikes will have snowshoes available for visitors to reserve.
The planned outings include:
A medium-to-advanced level bike ride at Fort Ebey State Park.A half-mile scavenger hunt at Deception Pass State Park’s Bowman Bay.A 3-mile leisurely paddle at Ike Kinswa State Park on Lake Mayfield with kayaks, paddles and personal floatation devices provided for use.A 2.5-mile guided snowshoe hike at Lake Wenatchee State Park with limited snowshoe rentals available.A half-mile walk along Lake Sammamish State Park’s boardwalk.A self-guided trail ride through Bridle Trails State Park on well-maintained, equestrian-friendly trails.ADA-accessible hikes at Bridle Trails State Park, Columbia Plateau Trail State Park, Klickitat State Park Trail, Lake Sammamish State Park, Lime Kiln State Park, Lincoln Rock State Park, Palouse Falls State Park, Rockport State Park, Sacajawea State Park, Schafer State Park and Seaquest State Park.
First Day Hikes is a national initiative led by America’s State Parks, which encourages people to start the new year outside. Last year, more than 1,500 participants hiked, biked, and snowshoed over 2,652 trail miles in Washington’s state parks.
New Year’s Day also marks the initial “free day” of 2024 when visitors don’t need a Discover Pass for vehicle parking on state-managed recreation lands in Washington. However, visitors driving to winter-designated snow parks will need a Sno-Park permit. Those include First Day Hikes at the Easton Reload Sno-Park, Fields Spring State Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park, and Mount Spokane State Park.
The other 2024 Discover Pass free days are:
Monday, Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day;
Saturday, March 9: Billy Frank Junior’s Birthday;
Tuesday, March 19: State Parks’ 111th Birthday;
Monday, April 22: Earth Day;
Saturday, June 8: National Get Outdoors Day;
Sunday, June 9: Free Fishing Day;
Wednesday, June 19; Juneteenth;
Saturday, Sept. 28; National Public Lands Day;
Thursday, Oct. 10: World Mental Health Day;
Monday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day;
Friday, Nov. 29: Autumn Day.
A Discover Pass is otherwise needed for vehicle parking on state lands managed by Washington Parks, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
