If "be more active" or "get in shape" was one of your New Year's resolutions, the First Day Hike can help you get started. Jan. 1, 2015 marks the fourth year that all 50 states have participated in the annual event that hopes to motivate Americans to explore state parks.
The event started 20 years ago, and has been growing in popularity.
Last year, more than 27,000 people hiked about 66,000 miles in the country's state parks, according to Recreation.gov. Many parks waive their usual entrance fees on Jan. 1 to encourage more people to get hiking.
“I think it’s a great way to start the year,” said Kelley King, the superintendent of Haw River State Park in North Carolina. “It gets you motivated, gets you excited about what you want to do the rest of the year, whether it’s to get in shape or stay in shape.”
For cold weather hikes (which is most of the country Thursday), Recreation.gov recommends dressing in layers, wearing a hat and appropriate footwear, and carrying plenty of food and water.
Happy New Year Maryland! Are you planning on participating in #FirstDayHikes at one of our @MDStateParks today? pic.twitter.com/DJaNurzciF— Maryland DNR (@AccessDNR) January 1, 2015
#TBT Here's a shot from last year's packed First Day Hike @ KPSP! Hoping we had even more this year! #firstdayhikes pic.twitter.com/2cXwNtXDAi— Delaware State Parks (@DEStateParks) January 1, 2015
#FirstDayHikes pic.twitter.com/agQL45itrh— Cathy Huska (@HuskaCathy) January 1, 2015
#FirstDayHikes pic.twitter.com/xvSrbnvymZ— Patty Talarek (@PattyTalarek) January 1, 2015
Start the New Year off right, join us Jan 1 for #FirstDayHikes. 28 guided hikes to choose from pic.twitter.com/ZTpDiVzvvQ http://t.co/x66XqoKj1Y— NY State Parks (@NYstateparks) December 18, 2014
Great way to start the new year! Hiking. pic.twitter.com/Nuy8xy0Wpv— angela town (@TownAngela) January 1, 2015
#Hiking on into 2015! Hope you have a great start to the New Year #photography #travel http://t.co/RnoOyO4bsO pic.twitter.com/ppoVMPU3Ny— MBybee (@mbybee) January 1, 2015
Happy New Year! #firstdayhikes #phx (@ Telegraph Pass in Phoenix, AZ w/ @ameliaagc) https://t.co/jryN4voKzO pic.twitter.com/wXRQNO5mUu— Doug Redmond (@dougredmond) January 1, 2015
Great first day hike at Aiken State Park! #FirstDayHikes pic.twitter.com/MV97dScpSx— Phil Gaines (@rangerphil) January 1, 2015
Busy day at the park. Great first hike of 2015!⚡️ #FirstDayHikes #Hike pic.twitter.com/D9B44COMOP— Sunny Daze (@SunnyDaze41) January 1, 2015
The event is presently managed by America’s State Parks, an alliance of the state parks formed in 2010.
For those still looking for a hike to get this new year started, there is an online directory of trails open Jan. 1.