Ring in the New Year with First Day Hikes in Washington State Parks
Free, guided hikes and snowshoe trips will be offered all across the state on January 1. Additionally, New Year's Day is a fee-free day in Washington State Parks. No Discover Pass is required.
Another year, another chance to enjoy fee-free entry and guided First Day Hikes at Washington State Parks.
This January 1, all State Parks will continue their tradition of offering free parking, while parks across the state will be hosting guided First Day Hikes led by knowledgeable staff or volunteers. (Sno-Park permits will still be required.) Explore the full list of Washington State Park's First Day for Eastern Washington , Southwest Washington, and in Puget Sound and Northwest Washington offerings.
From guided bird walks to history hikes of coastal forts, the First Day Hikes have something for everyone. Learn about mosses at Wallace Falls or snowshoeing basics at Lake Easton or Mount Spokane. Hiking pups-in-training can earn their BARK Ranger badge at Riverside State Park in Spokane or learn new hiking skills at Dash Point State Park.
Trip reporter KatieMae at Griffith-Priday State Park. Explore a new park with a guided hike, or create your own adventure to kick off the new year.
2020 Resolutions
You don't have to visit a state park to create a tradition of hiking on the first day of the year. Create your own, and prepare for a year of hiking resolutions. No matter what hiking goal you're hoping to accomplish this year, we've got some tips and resources to help make the journey a little easier.
- Go somewhere new. Luckily for us, Washington is full of diverse hiking opportunities. From lakes and mountains to forests and shoreline, it's easy to switch up your hiking routine. Explore the state with our Hike Finder Map and sort by feature, or read up on recent trip reports in a new region.
- Head out with your family. Hiking is a great way to spend time with family. Check out our tips for hiking with kids and sign up for our free Families Go Hiking newsletter.
- Up your mileage. Hoping to max out your miles this year? Get some inspiration on how to tackle a lengthy trip with our guide to long distance hiking and begin to put together the perfect plan.
- Reach new heights. Washington is home to hundreds of peaks offering incredible views, if you can handle the climb. The cold winter months are a perfect time to train for those steep summer treks. Take a page out of WTA's conditioning guide and use our Hiking Guide to sort by elevation gain.
- Take inspiration from others. Follow in the footsteps of WTA's Jessi Loerch, hiker Serina Clark or these members of the environmental and hiking community who set themselves outdoor goals big and small.
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