In 1992, Massachusetts started offering guided hikes at state parks on January 1st. By 2023, 884 parks across the country participated, hosting 1,175 hikes, welcoming 60,048 participants, and logging 117,104 miles hiked — all on New Year’s Day. Dia Hitt, Chief of Education and Interpretation with South Carolina State Parks, and Rob Barrett, Director of Interpretive Programming with Tennessee State Parks, join The Parks Podcast to explain why First Day Hikes is one of the best outdoor programs in America — and how to find one near you.
A note from Missy: I happened upon my first First Day Hike by accident. I didn’t know what it was until I was handed a sticker at the park entrance. Then I won a photo contest. Now I make a point of going to a state park every January 1st. It was so much fun to see how different states celebrate the New Year.
Episode Guest
Dia Hitt, Chief of Education and Interpretation, South Carolina State Parks
Rob Barrett, Director of Interpretive Programming and Education, Tennessee State Parks
First Day Hike Stats
- Started: 1992, Massachusetts
- Adopted nationally: 2012
- 2023 participation: 884 parks, 1,175 hikes, 60,048 participants, 117,104 miles hiked
- Organized by: America’s State Parks (part of the National Association of State Park Directors)
- Find hikes: stateparks.org/specialprograms/firstdayhikes
- Cost: Free in most states (some may have standard park admission fees)
Transcript
First Day Hikes — The Best Way to Start Your New Year
The Parks Podcast, Episode 12 | Dia Hitt, Chief of Education and Interpretation, South Carolina State Parks & Rob Barrett, Director of Interpretive Programming and Education, Tennessee State Parks
What Is First Day Hikes?
Missy Rentz: Today we are so lucky to have Dia Hitt, who is the Chief of Education and Interpretation with South Carolina State Parks, and Rob Barrett, who is the Director of Interpretive Programming and Education with Tennessee State Parks. On behalf of America’s State Parks, Rob has been the coordinator for First Day Hikes for the last couple of years, and he’s passing the torch to Dia this year. Rob and Dia, thank you so much for being on The Parks Podcast.
Dia Hitt: Thank you. We’re really happy to be here.
Missy: Let me share some First Day Hikes stats. First Day Hikes was started in 1992 in Massachusetts and then adopted nationally in 2012. It was created to celebrate going outside, getting exercise, and experiencing nature — which we all need at the end of a holiday season. Last year, there were 884 parks that participated, 1,175 hikes were held, there were 60,048 participants, and 117,104 miles were hiked on January 1st, 2023. What a great way to start the year. Rob, can you tell us a little bit about how First Day Hikes began?
Rob Barrett: I was still pretty young in 1992, so I don’t have any firsthand accounts. But from what I understand, Massachusetts was looking for a way to engage visitors and inspire activity. So they hosted a New Year’s Day hike and got a great response. In parks, we like to honor other people’s programs — as my friend Kelly in Arkansas says. So it got picked up and spread. Sometime along the path, it became this thing that states took on the role of being the primary national coordinator, then pass the baton. I got it from Helen Graham in Georgia, and now I’m passing it off to Dia. It’s a really neat way to inspire people to get out and visit a park at a time when parks don’t have a ton of visitors.
Missy: How have you seen it grow, Dia, over the past 20 years?
Dia: What I’ve really noticed is that it’s become a tradition among families. You have kids who did it when they were kids, and now they’re taking their own kids to a park. And they’re like, okay, it’s First Day Hike day. We have some in South Carolina who do five parks in a day. The joy that it brings people, and the tradition of passing it down to your kids — that’s what we want in parks. We want them to come back and be part of our family.
Missy: One thing I’ve noticed is that while it’s run by America’s State Parks, a lot of national parks and local parks have adopted it too. It’s really getting legs of its own and taking place anywhere there’s outdoor space.
Rob: Yeah, it really is. And what we’re also seeing is people reaching out to us asking, hey, how do we participate? What do we do? How do we get involved? The interesting thing about managing it as coordinators across the nation is — do we wrangle just the 51 state park systems and territories, or do we keep broadening? We really support anybody joining in and love it when local and national park systems do. But all the information on the America’s State Parks webpage is focused on your local state park. It’s been fun to watch it grow and also manage that growth.
About America’s State Parks
Missy: Rob, can you tell us a little bit about America’s State Parks?
Rob: It’s part of the National Association of State Park Directors — really their forward-facing programmatic side. That’s a professional organization for all the people across the nation who are leading state park systems. They get together, exchange best practices, grow ideas, support each other, and create a collective voice for state parks. America’s State Parks has become the front-facing side of that. They have two great program offerings they lead nationally — America’s First Day Hikes, and Girl Scouts Love State Parks. They do a lot of philanthropic work to help elevate state park systems across the country.
Why Parks Matter
Missy: I would love to hear from both of you about the benefits of being in a park. Dia, what are some of the benefits?
Dia: There are several — physical, mental, and emotional benefits. But honestly, I have never met anybody who’s come to a park who hasn’t just gone, oh, I’m so much more relaxed than when I walked in the door. We all run 24/7. We’re connected to our computers and our phones and our families. But the ability to just go and listen to the wind in the trees, to take a breath, really does help reduce our stress, reduce emotional distress. And of course you can get exercise. At a park you can do it all. It’s really hard not to find a benefit to going to a park.
Rob: It’s all of those things that Dia just said. And it’s also the place where memories and traditions are born for a lot of people. But I think it’s also important to remember the people who don’t yet culturally associate with parks, or who don’t understand that these spaces are for them — that they’re safe and welcomed there. And that’s what I like about First Day Hikes. This program is really focused on inviting people who may have never been to a park before, so that they can begin to take advantage of all of those things. It’s funny — at some point we had parks trying to outdo each other with having the earliest hike or the longest hike. But this is a reminder: it’s after New Year’s, some people have been partying, so you might get better response if you do your hike at 1 p.m. instead of 7:30 a.m. And if you make it short, people might feel more comfortable coming. So yeah, it’s been fun to watch the program evolve in that way.
What to Expect at a First Day Hike
Missy: What kind of programs are offered and what can people expect when they go to a park?
Rob: There’s a million things going on. We have states that offer pet-friendly hikes, lantern-led hikes — some of those happen right at or after midnight. We have states that also realize that not everybody’s up for a traditional hike, so a lot of states do alternative functions — a first day picnic, or some of our more southerly states might do a first day swim. One of the most fun First Day Hikes I got to participate in, we took a little quarter-mile nature trail and put a table just far enough away that you could see the next one. We had a ranger at each station talking about a topic of the park. Families and visitors came and walked from table to table learning about the park. It worked out really well — and it was a great way to manage capacity.
Dia: Rob captured a lot of them. But remember, we’re a whole nation — some of these places are going to be full of snow. There’s skiing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, polar plunges. Not all of it is hard or up steep inclines. I have an ADA walk out to a waterfall that you can take anybody on, regardless of physical ability or comfort level. We even have one that is honestly — if you’re scared of the woods, come out and I’ll show you why not to be. We know that some people aren’t comfortable in the dirt and the bugs, so we’ve created a hike for that too.
Rob: And if you think it’s going to be too cold — last year at Kachemak Bay State Park in Homer, Alaska, they had more than 50 people show up to go skiing and snowshoeing. So if you think it’s too cold, just think about those people in Alaska still coming out for a first day hike.
Missy: I love that Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut is using First Day Hikes to open a new trail — so you could be one of the first people ever to hike on it. And Great Salt Lake State Park is doing bird watching. Dia, what’s happening in South Carolina?
Dia: We actually have a couple of 5Ks being done, some polar plunges — those are done with our friends group, the crazy people who want to get in the cold water. But we also have the ADA hike I just mentioned that takes you to some waterfalls at a historic battlefield, so you get the history and the beauty of the waterfall. This year I have about 45 out of my 47 state parks doing something. And in South Carolina, the beauty is you can get to anywhere in the state within two hours, so you can hit a lot of them.
Missy: Rob, what about in Tennessee?
Rob: There’s a great variety — short to long, evening to lantern-lit. Every one of our 57 state parks will have a First Day Hike experience. Some of the more exciting ones are up on the balds at Roan Mountain, and out at Reelfoot Lake, which has amazing eagle viewing. Then the ones tied around our historic homes and sites, where they theme them and have food and living history interpreters talking about what New Year’s may have been like at the period of that location. And then for me personally, I’m looking for that kind of simple, pure, nostalgic hike experience — just a ranger having a discussion with visitors as they walk along the trail. The great variety of experiences is what I love to see.
Missy: I also want to mention that even if you don’t want to join a group activity, you can still go to the park and enjoy it without participating in the program. Just soak up the energy of First Day Hikes.
Dia: Most definitely. I’m actually one of those people. I’m going to go and watch how excited everybody is, and then I’m going to go on the hike they’re not going on.
Planning Your First Day Hike
Missy: How can people find out what’s happening in their area?
Dia: The best place to start is the national state directors site. Every state is going to have a link that shows you all the hikes happening in their state. But also go to the specific park’s webpage — it’ll give you all their hours, any advisories, what you can do there, what you need to know if you want to go fishing or hiking. We try very hard on our websites to give you the basics. And if you still have questions, give us a call. We want your visit to be a success. We want you to come and have fun.
Missy: The website is stateparks.org/special-programs/first-day-hikes. I’ll post it on theparkspodcast.com and our socials as well. Are they free?
Rob: We recommend that all states do them for free. Some states have an admission fee, so the hike is free with admission. I believe all of them are free, though I just can’t guarantee that one might not have a small materials fee if there’s a craft involved. We don’t have state park admission in Tennessee, so all of our hikes are free. But we also use it as an opportunity for people to show their support for state parks and give them a chance to donate if they’d like.
Missy: I noticed that some parks — like Michaux State Park in Pennsylvania and several Oregon State Parks — have activities that require reservations. So thinking ahead and checking the website early is a good idea. What else do people need to know for planning?
Rob: Check the park’s website — make sure you understand what trails are open and closed, especially in winter months when it can be more slippery or icy. Pack more water than you think you’ll need. Wear closed-toed shoes. Bundle up and dress in layers. And if you are going on a hike, let someone know where you’re going. If something does go wrong, we can come find you. We don’t expect that to ever happen, but it does give us a little comfort to know that hey, Joe’s told us where he’s going to be.
Dia: And some parks actually have trail registration cards at trailheads — cards where you say which hike you’re going on, how long you expect to be, and your contact information. At the end of the day, if there’s still a car in the parking lot, we’ll go check the hiking area and see if someone put in a card. It’s just a way of communicating with us if you didn’t see us before you started your hike.
Rob: And even if your location doesn’t do that, always let somebody know where you are. Tell a friend or family member — hey, I’m going for a hike, I plan on being back by three o’clock, if you don’t hear from me by four, maybe call and let the park know. It’s our job to support our visitors.
Dia: Also — plan more water than you think you’ll need. I see frequently single-use 8-ounce bottles of water. I can tell you I’d go through that in half an hour. And most of the First Day Hikes, you’re going to be with somebody who’s very experienced. You really could just show up, make sure you’re dressed for the weather and wearing comfortable clothing, and you’ll be fine. Some parks even have first-timer classes where we go over your gear, what to wear, everything. First Day Hikes is a great introduction — but don’t let it be the only time you come. Come see us again. We want you to start using your parks regularly.
Missy: And one little trick I do sometimes — I tend to over-prepare. Most people are driving to their local state park, so you can leave stuff in your car. Get out, look around, and if nobody has a hiking stick and a parka, maybe you’re fine without getting yours out. If they do, you can go back to your car. First Day Hikes is great for every level, every age group. There is truly something for everyone.
Speed Round
Earliest park memory? — Dia:
An inner city park called Lincoln Park in Kansas City, Missouri. My mom would take me there Sunday mornings and we would spend the entire day. I would climb trees, we’d have picnics, I’d jump in mud puddles. It was a Sunday tradition. Lincoln Park is always going to have a spot in my heart.
Earliest park memory? — Rob:
Somewhere in northern Virginia — I have snippets of memories being in one of those backpacks you carry kids in. I can definitely remember the color and texture of the backpack and then seeing the trail and smelling the trees. Fortunately for me, park use was such a ubiquitous thing of my childhood. When we went on vacation, we went to parks. When we had the weekend, we were in parks. Without my parents knowing they were teaching me how to be a park user, I was being taught that these spaces are for you and here’s how you use them. Hopefully there’s some little kid out there in a backpack on New Year’s Day having these fragmentary early memories, and they grow up to work in parks.
What made you love the parks? — Dia:
I was an inner city kid. My world was concrete, skyscrapers, and dirt. What I loved about parks was that it was a whole different world. Everything smelled weird. The trees had texture. Things fell out of trees. I was just like — what is this thing? What is this place? That made me fall in love with parks.
What made you love the parks? — Rob:
I think subconsciously, the thing that I love about parks is — being a kid with ADHD, being in nature is a place where that skill set is rewarded. You’re the first to see the bird. You’re the first to notice the wind direction change. All of those sensory moments that can be overwhelming when you have to be focused — you get rewarded for them as you explore nature.
Favorite thing about South Carolina State Parks? — Dia:
The diversity. I can go from the mountains to the coast and all in one spot in like a heartbeat. If I wake up and want to see a sunrise in the mountains, I can get up there and then the next day literally go listen to the sound of the ocean.
Favorite thing about Tennessee State Parks? — Rob:
The moment when I feel connected to the resource and I realize that I’m part of this greater tapestry. I find that in various ways at various sites. I just know it when it hits.
Favorite thing to do at South Carolina State Parks? — Dia:
I find the water feature at every park. I find the sound of water — either tumbling or roaring — there is always somewhere that there’s a water source that I find.
Favorite thing to do at Tennessee State Parks? — Rob:
I’m a simple person. I want to hike. Put me out on a trail, let me get a mile away from somebody else, and just enjoy nature.
Park on your bucket list? — Dia:
I haven’t been to very many national parks, so I really want to go to Yellowstone. I used to work with wolves, and I want to go out in the wintertime when the wolves are out.
Park on your bucket list? — Rob:
All of them I haven’t been to. But if I have to choose — Dry Tortugas, Denali, and Glacier.
Three must-haves for a park visit? — Dia:
Water, water, and water. But also things I can pull on and pull off because I get cold and hot really fast. And then of course the backpack to carry it all in.
Three must-haves for a park visit? — Rob:
The safety bag, to encapsulate all the safety essentials. Sturdy shoes. And a hiking stick.
Favorite campfire activity? — Dia:
I’m a ghost story girl. I like to hear the local legends and cultural legends at every area. I have a habit of collecting cultural tales. The more you can tell me about the culture and ghost stories of your region, the happier I am.
Favorite campfire activity? — Rob:
Cooking foods on an open fire that you wouldn’t expect someone to cook on an open fire — deep frying donuts on an open fire, or making flatbread with marinated chicken and a pesto sauce. Something fun like that.
Tent, camper, or cabin? — Dia:
I’m actually a hammock camper.
Tent, camper, or cabin? — Rob:
I’d like to say tent, but the older I get, I think it’s cabin.
Hiking with or without trekking poles? — Dia:
Without.
Hiking with or without trekking poles? — Rob:
I collect hiking stick medallions and the little nails don’t go into trekking poles — so always with a hiking stick.
Favorite trail snack? — Dia:
Nuts. I’m always low on protein so I want more protein.
Favorite trail snack? — Rob:
A nice trail mix with nuts and dried fruit and maybe a piece of chocolate.
Best animal sighting? — Dia:
I was in Alaska hiking in grizzly country, and I came around the corner and there was one crossing from one side of the pathway to the other. We both kind of just stopped and looked at each other and went — what are you doing here? I backed up and he backed up. And then we both kind of agreed to go the other way.
Best animal sighting? — Rob:
I was going to see whooping cranes fly over a state park in Florida, and they didn’t come that morning. While I was turning to leave, I started talking to a guy who turned out to be the author John Yow of The Armchair Birder. I was able to tell him a place where he could go see a batch of cranes migrating somewhere else. It was just that fun moment — you never know who you’re going to meet in a park.
Favorite sound in the park? — Dia:
When you’re in a clearing and there’s absolutely no other sound and all you can hear is the wind and the trees.
Favorite sound in the park? — Rob:
The call of a hawk as it captures its prey.
Greatest gift the parks give to us? — Dia:
Tradition and family and peace.
Greatest gift the parks give to us? — Rob:
Protection of things that would otherwise be lost.
Missy: Dia and Rob, thank you so much for joining us on The Parks Podcast. I love learning about all of these amazing activities and growing my to-do list of parks to visit. Congratulations and best of luck for an amazing First Day Hike.
Dia: Thank you so much, Missy.
Rob: Thank you. It’s been fun.
Missy: Thanks for joining us on this episode of The Parks Podcast. Until next time — we’ll see you in the parks.
Music for The Parks Podcast is performed and produced by Porter Hardy. Follow us @TheParksPodcast or visit TheParksPodcast.com.