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First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day in the State Parks

Start 2025 with a ranger-led hike

First Day Hikes in Washington offers an experience for everyone to get outside and enjoy our beautiful state parks by participating in ranger and staff-led hikes, bike rides, snowshoe excursions, and more offered at 40+ parks on New Year’s Day. When you are done, you may pick up your free, collectible Washington State Parks 2025 First Day Hikes pin! All hikes are free, and a Discover Pass is NOT needed to park on state-managed lands on Jan. 1, the first Washington State Parks Free Day of 2025. However, you may need to register for some events with participation limits and/or purchase the appropriate Sno-Park permit. Be sure to read hike descriptions carefully and check the park’s event descriptions to make sure you are registered and have what you need.

Here are 11 First Day Hikes happening on New Year’s Day 2025:

Bridle Trails State Park

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Location: Bridle Trails State Park, 5300 116th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98033

Join this self-guided ride through Bridle Trails State Park on well-maintained equestrian-friendly trails. No rental horses available. All ages and experience levels welcome. You may encounter other park users with dogs on leash. It is recommended that the minimum age of children recommended is 5 years old.

Is this Hike for Beginners? Yes

ADA accessible: Yes

Leashed dogs allowed: No

 

 

Cama Beach Park

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Location: 1880 SW Camano Drive, Camano Island, WA 98282

Enjoy this waterfront park with beautiful views, where an interpretive specialist will take you on a 2.5-mile hike out to Cranberry Lake. You will learn about the park and wildlife, where there is a beaver lodge and signs of activity. Enjoy hot drinks and snacks at the drop-off shelter before the hike begins.

Difficulty: Beginner

Stroller & ADA accessible: No

 

Camano Island State Park

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Location: 2269 S Lowell Point Road, Camano Island, WA 98282

Spend your time outside and hike on the Howards Adams Trail, where you will be led by the interpretive specialist, Meredith Peterson. You will start the hike at 1 p.m. and enjoy hot drinks and snacks before walking 2.5 miles on the trail through the forest.

Difficulty: Beginner

Stroller & ADA accessible: No

 

Deception Pass First Day Hike

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Location: Cornet Bay Retreat Center, 400 West Cornet Bay Road Oak Harbor, WA 98277

First day hikers are welcome to the Cornet Bay Retreat Center at Deception Pass State Park for a fun morning of hikes. Starting at 10:00 AM, hikers will have the option select their preferred activity based on difficulty level. Hikes range in difficulty from easy to hard and there will be an option specifically designed for families with young children. All hikes are on and around Goose Rock and include some of the most popular trails in the park. Hikers can expect to see a variety of wildlife, experience old growth forest, and enjoy amazing views of the Salish Sea and rocky cliffs of Deception Pass. Registration is required for the family hike (adults with children ages 0-5, register here).

Difficulty: Beginner

Stroller & ADA accessible: No

Dogs allowed on leash: Yes

 

Lake Sammamish State Park

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 10:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Location: 2182 NW Sammamish Rd, Issaquah, WA 98027

Start the new year with a hiking adventure with your family, looking for birds and beavers, led by an interpretive specialist. This hike is close to Seattle and is youth and family-friendly (less than half a mile trail). There will be the Polar Plunge 2025 after this hike. Hikes will be an invigorating 15 to 20 minutes. An all-ages experience, these roughly half-mile hikes will feature uneven terrain. Weather dependent, the trail may be slippery, icy or snow-covered. Please dress for the weather and bring sturdy shoes. Meet the WSP interpretive specialist at the registration table for a 10:30 or 11:00 hike.

 

Lime Kiln State Park First Day Hike

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location: Lime Kiln Interpretive Center, 1567 Westside Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Take a hike with Lime Kilnā€™s Park Rangers and learn about the unique 170 year history of the park and surrounding area. The hike is 1.5 miles total, 2 shorter sections and designed for beginners. You will meet outside Lime Kiln Interpretive Center. Suggested minimum age of children to attend is 5 years old.

Difficulty: Beginners

ADA and stroller accessible: Yes

Leashed dogs allowed: Yes

 

Nolte State Park

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Location: Nolte State Park, 36921 Veazie Cumberland Rd SE, Enumclaw, WA 98022

Join this guided tour from a Park Ranger who will point out various examples of flora and fauna along the trail at Nolte State Park, which is located 6 miles northeast of Enumclaw. The hike is 1.4 miles long and welcomes all hiking levels and ages. Registration is not required for this hike. It is important to remember to dress warm with layered clothing and proper hiking boots. You will beet at the billboard near the main bathroom.

ADA accessible: No

Stroller accessible: Yes

Leashed dogs allowed: Yes

 

 

Saint Edward State Park

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Location: Saint Edward State Park, 14445 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore, WA 98028

There will be two guided hikes: Moderate hike of almost 2 miles with variation in elevation; estimated time to complete the hike is 1 hour. Hiking poles would be helpful in some places due to steepness of the trail. Easier hike on shorter, flatter route of 1.4 miles OR guided history-focused walk along Perimeter trail depending on trail conditions that day. All ages are welcome to join this hike. Registration required. Meet at the St Edward Environmental & Education Research Center to begin the hike.

Difficulty: Beginner

ADA accessible: No

Stroller accessible: Yes

Leashed dogs allowed: Yes

 

Saltwater State ParkĀ 

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location: Saltwater State Park, 25205 8th Place S, Des Moines, WA 98198

Hike around Saltwater State Park, Various trail surface conditions; asphalt, gravel, and dirt. Switch back trails inclines and descent. 3-5 ft wide trail sections. Families are welcome if children can handle the mileage. Visit the beach on your own after the hike. Suggested minimum age is 10 years old or older.

Difficulty: Beginner

ADA and stroller accessible: No

Leashed dogs allowed: Yes

 

South Whidbey State Park

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location: 4128 S Smugglers Cove Road, Freeland, WA 98249

This hike is excellent for families with young children to help them learn the best ways to hike with kids and get them excited about the outdoors. The walk is a short stretch of trail and provides different ideas for keeping the kids engaged. Arrive at 11 a.m., and meet at the rear parking lot amphitheater. Register in advance by emailing CentralWhidbeyInterpretation@parks.wa.gov. Bonus: If you have the time, you will also check out the Earth Warrior Course on the Hobbit Trail leading to one of the best views of the Salish Sea and Olympic Mountains.

Difficulty: Age recommendation is ages 3+

Stroller & ADA accessible: No

Dogs allowed on leash: Yes

 

Spencer Spit State Park

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Location: 521 Bakerview Road, Lopez Island, WA 98261

Go for a hike with Ranger Mehgan on a new route for this year’s First Day Hike. You will explore the west to south route of the perimeter loop trail with a special surprise near the end of the hike. This hike is easy with a steady decline down to The Spit. Please come prepared for weather and bring a good pair of binoculars in case we spot some epic birds along the way!

Meeting location: Day Use Picnic Shelter on back side of day use parking lot

Difficulty: Age recommendation is ages 7+

Stroller & ADA accessible: No

Dogs allowed on leash: Yes

 

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