Take a Jan. 1 hike: Start the new year right by getting some fresh air and exercise, either close to home or in a Washington State Park.
The traditional First Day Hikes will not be an organized activity this year because of COVID-19 safety protocols.
But many state parks and Sno-Parks will be open for a Jan. 1 hike, many with free admission, and more than welcoming for families to who want to explore. Here’s their blog post on what they’re calling a “Choose Your Own Adventure” activity.
America’s State Parks, the organization behind First Day Hikes, asks park visitors to recreate responsibly, provided these “fun stats” they collected about those who took a Jan. 1 hike in 2020:
- 85,000 people rang in the new year with First Day Hikes.
- Their mileage nationwide totaled 176,366 miles
- That was an average of 2 miles per person,
- They burned calories equivalent to 41,348 fast-food burgers
- They took more than 4 million steps or seven trips around the equator.
Here’s where to find what’s open right now. in Washington state parks. And here are the free-admission days for 2021.
More ideas for a Jan. 1 hike:
3 great fall hikes on the Eastside
Great trails around Seattle for a fall/winter hike
And the ever popular: 6 “starter hikes” for short legs
How to dress your kids to hike in inclement weather
Something a little different: Hiking in downtown Seattle
