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WASHINGTON – From coast to coast, thousands of Americans spent time enjoying the outdoors on a First Day Hike in America’s State Parks. The annual New Year’s Day tradition included guided hikes, bike rides, 5K races, history tours, horseback rides, polar plunges, and more in over 1,000 state parks around the country to celebrate the start of 2025.

First Day Hikes have been around for three decades, and all 50 states have offered special events for visitors on January 1 since 2012. The initiative began to help Americans start the year off on the right foot – by getting outside and connecting with nature.

“The First Day Hikes on January 1, 2025, were a resounding success, with thousands of Americans kicking off the new year by exploring the natural beauty of our state parks,” said Lewis Ledford, President and CEO for America’s State Parks. “These hikes provide an opportunity for individuals and families to connect with nature, promote wellness, and set an inspiring tone for the year ahead. The overwhelming turnout highlights the growing enthusiasm for outdoor recreation and the vital role our state parks play in fostering community and conservation.”

With a few states left to report, according to the latest figures, 1,098 state parks around the country hosted 1,448 guided hikes with over 65,331 participants hiking a combined 165,086 miles. For many participants, First Day Hikes are becoming a New Year’s Day tradition. Meanwhile, state parks around the country are continually seeking to grow and enhance visitation and access in First Day Hikes programming and beyond, with more parks offering accessible activities and unique adventures than ever before. 

In South Carolina, a variety of First Day Hike events were offered in 41 of the 48 state parks. More than 3,300 people participated, with 2,600 joining a 5K race or guided hike, 680 braving a polar plunge, and 38 enjoying New Year’s Day on a guided horseback ride.

Information on next year’s First Day Hikes will be shared at stateparks.org/special-programs/first-day-hikes/.

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About America’s State Parks
America’s State Parks is an alliance of state park systems in all 50 states. The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) promotes and advocates for the state park systems across America in providing conservation and management of natural and cultural resources, quality outdoor recreation experiences, and connecting children and families to nature and the outdoors. With more than 9,817 park areas covering over 20 million acres of land, and visitation of nearly 9 million people annually, state parks are an integral part of protecting natural and cultural resources while providing guests amazing access to the outdoors. Learn more at stateparks.org.

Find more photos from South Carolina State Parks First Day Hike events on Facebook.