Hikers in Ridley State Park in Media, Pa.
Emma Lee / WHYY
First Day hikes in Pennsylvania planned
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Ed Arke
Emma Lee / WHYY
Hikers in Ridley State Park in Media, Pa.
“First Day Hikes” have become a New Year’s Day tradition in Pennsylvania and for 2025, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has more than 70 guided hikes planned.
All 50 states have sponsored First Day Hikes since 2012. DCNR’s Christina Novak says the events provide “an opportunity to remind people they can get outdoors, even in the winter. We all know that being outside in nature and getting exercise is good for our mental and physical health. So, if the holidays have been stressful…it’s a great way to start a new year.”
A Hike for Everyone
DCNR staff and volunteers lead the hikes, which are usually about one or two miles long. According to Novak, “They are happening all across the Commonwealth. They are happening at different times during the day, they all come with a guide, and some of them are geared for specific audiences.”
Those audiences include individuals targeted by Mosaic, DCNR’s initiative to create a more inclusive environment in outdoor spaces. There will also be possibilities for families and seniors, along with pet-friendly options.
DCNR Turns 30
In July 2025, DCNR will mark its 30th anniversary. Novak says the First Day Hikes kick off “a year of celebrating the stewardship of the Commonwealth’s 124 state parks and more than 2 million acres of state forestland”.
Beyond First Day Hikes, many state parks also offer self-guided hikes, story walks and adventure labs throughout the year.
Learn More
Information regarding all of the First Day Hikes, as well as events scheduled at state parks throughout the year, can be found at the DCNR website (pa.gov/agencies/dcnr.html) or on the DCNR calendar of events (events.dcnr.pa.gov). The listing allows you to filter hikes by various audiences.
Hikers are invited to share their experience on social media using #FirstDayHikes.
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