Go take a hike! No, really. You can start the new year on the right foot (literally) with guided hikes at many state parks and forests throughout Pennsylvania, including several in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
If you’re looking to start a new tradition or maybe kickstart your New Year’s Resolution to get outdoors more often, a First Day Hike is a perfect option. These free hikes are guided by staff and volunteers from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and they’re typically anywhere from 1 to 3.5 miles long.
Throughout our 13-county PA Wilds region, Bald Eagle, Black Moshannon, Chapman, Cook Forest, Hills Creek, Kinzua Bridge, Lyman Run, Parker Dam and Sinnemahoning State Parks will all have hikes on January 1.
The following state park is situated in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds, flanking the Commonwealth’s only national forest.
Join park staff for a hike around the lake at Chapman State Park! Meet at the Park Office. For more info, click here.
Start the New Year healthy! Visit the park for a First Day Hike on the General Kane Trail! The trail is an approximate 1.5 mile easy rated trail. Dress in layers for the weather and wear appropriate shoes/boots. Part of the trail is open to hunting, so please wear an orange vest and hat. Meet in the Overflow Parking Lot. Please note that the Kinzua Skywalk is closed due to a longevity project. In case of inclement weather, call the park office for cancellation information at: (814) 778-5467. For more info, click here.
The following state park is situated in the Cook Forest and the Ancients landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds, an area known for its old growth forest cathedral.
Join the Friends of Cook Forest at new River Pavilion. Come explore the old growth forest along Cook Trail with this 90 minute interpretive hike. We’ll review some of the characteristics of old growth forest and discuss the history of this section of the park. People/pet friendly leashed pets welcome. For more info, click here.
The following state parks are situated in the Dark Skies landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds, where visitors can view the stars within an internationally-certified dark sky.
Get out on the first day of the year! Join a park educator and our knowledgeable long-time park volunteers and explore the Lyman Run Trail. It’s a great opportunity to get outside in the colder months to see the winter beauty of Lyman Run. This hike will be a little over 3 miles, over occasionally hilly terrain. Hiking poles and boot traction devices are encouraged for stability. Be prepared with water-resistant hiking boots, traction devices, hiking poles/sticks, and water. A limited number of boot traction devices may be available to borrow. Meet at the Top of Dam Parking Lot. This hike is brought to you by a partnership with the Friends of Lyman Run State Park. No registration needed. For more info, click here.
Start the New Year on the right foot with a relaxing 2-mile guided hike on fairly level trails. Focus your attention and learn to make observations in nature while investigating the various ecosystems along the way with a park naturalist. Hike will be held rain or shine. A limited number of snowshoes are available if needed. Dress for the weather and bring water. Good for all ages. Well-behaved dogs on short leashes are welcome. For more info, click here.
The following state park is situated in the Elk Country landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds, where visitors can find the largest wild elk herd in the northeast.
Our annual First Day Hike this year – 2025 – will be the Skunk / Beaver Dam Trail Loop. This loop covers three miles of mostly easy hiking. Bring water and snacks and meet in front of the park office. For more info, click here.
The following state parks are situated in the I-80 Frontier landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds, which spans the entire southern width of the region.
Silver Hike – Start the New Year right with a walk in the park! We will be walking park roads and easy terrain at a leisurely pace. This hike will be catered to seniors, ages 65+, and their families. Please dress for the weather and anticipate snowy or icy conditions. The walk is expected to last 1 hour, coffee will be provided in the ELC afterward. For more info, click here.
Celebrate the New Year with a walk in a winter wonderland! We will be navigating paved park roads and easy terrain for a 1–2-mile hike and stopping to admire any wildlife or animal signs we encounter. Please dress for the weather and anticipate snowy or icy conditions. This hike will be free of charge and fun for the whole family! For more info, click here.
Lake Loop – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Take a hike on the Lake Loop Trail to see a beaver lodge up close and look for signs of wildlife. This trail is one mile long and is mostly flat with roots and rocks on it. It is not stroller-friendly. Meet at the Environmental Learning Center. For more info, click here.
Early UV Night Hike – 5 to 6 p.m. – Take a stroll on the boardwalk to see which plants glow during the winter! UV lights will be provided. Limited to 20 people. Pre-registration required. For more info, click here.
Late UV Night Hike – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Take a stroll on the boardwalk to see which plants glow during the winter! UV lights will be provided. Limited to 20 people. Pre-registration required. For more info, click here.
The following state parks/forests are situated in the Pine Creek Valley and PA Grand Canyon landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds, home of the Pine Creek Rail Trail.
Make this your tradition! We have – since 2012! Start out on the right foot in 2025 with a short hike, exploring nature in winter at Hills Creek. This slow-paced, family-oriented hike will be less than 1.5 miles in length. If conditions warrant, limited snowshoes will be available or you are encouraged to bring your own. Also, back this year, is the 5K Fun Run around the lake. It’s a no frills no cost run where you record your own time and have some fun challenging your friends to some healthy competition or just challenge yourself to healthy activity. Come early or stay late – the sledding hill is nearby or you can explore more trails – even the plowed campground roads throughout the park. Part of the Winter Outing Series: More events all winter and updates at www.stepoutdoors.org. For more info, click here.
Why not start new holiday traditions in 2025 by taking your family and friends on a family-friendly First Day Hike at one of these participating Pennsylvania state parks?
DCNR announced it will host more than 70 guided hikes in 46 state parks and one forest district on New Year’s Day, as part of the nationwide “First Day Hike” initiative.
These guided hikes, all taking place on Wednesday, January 1, help promote a healthy start in the new year while offering every Pennsylvanian an opportunity to forge new and stronger connections with the outdoors.
“First Day Hikes are the perfect way to start the year by immersing yourself in Pennsylvania’s natural spaces,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn. “This year, we’re encouraging everyone to connect with our public lands — whether that means discovering programs at our state parks, exploring new outdoor activities, or uncovering the rich history preserved within our landscapes. Let’s make 2025 a year of connection and exploration.”
DCNR staff and forest staff, as well as volunteers, lead the hikes, which are usually about one or two miles. Some hikes can be longer depending on the park and its terrain.
As a part of Mosaic, the department’s initiative to create a more inclusive environment in outdoor spaces, and in response to survey data identifying challenges and equity concerns, DCNR is hosting Mosaic hikes at several parks. Learn more about First Day Hike events on DCNR’s website, where you can filter hikes by various audiences, including families, seniors, and pet-friendly options.
First Day Hikes are organized by the National Association of State Park Directors to promote healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks. All 50 states have cooperatively sponsored First Day Hikes since 2012. Visit America’s State Parks website for more information on First Day Hikes nationally.
Image: Photo by Kalie Schmader
Earlier this year, Governor Josh Shapiro launched the Commonwealth’s new tourism brand, Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway. Pennsylvania’s state parks offer free opportunities to take a break from the daily grind and enjoy natural spaces. Each year, America’s state parks receive more than 725 million visits, which helps contribute billions of dollars to the U.S economy. State parks are a “close to home” resource and an important part of our country’s fabric, enhancing our quality of life.
The Shapiro Administration is committed to investing in the outdoors for the mental and physical health befits tied to time in nature. DCNR recently celebrated $10 million in support for trail projects across the Commonwealth and Pennsylvania’s 2023-24 budget included $112 million for state park and forest infrastructure, the single largest investment in public land infrastructure in decades. Respondents to recent DCNR surveys overwhelmingly agree that increasing permanent funding for parks and recreation should be a priority.
In 2025, DCNR is trekking into its 30th anniversary and will celebrate its stewardship of the Commonwealth’s 124 state parks, 2.2 million acres of state forestland, and the work it does to make nature a better place for Pennsylvanians and visitors alike throughout its anniversary year. Check out DCNR’s 2024 Wrapped on Facebook to learn more about the department’s highlights from the past year.
In addition to the guided hikes offered as a part of the national First Day Hikes, many Pennsylvania state parks also have self-guided hikes, story walks and adventure labs available year-round.
Hikers are invited to share their experience on social media using #FirstDayHikes. If you’re participating in a First Day Hike in the Pennsylvania Wilds, tag us too @thepawilds.
Additional details can be found on the DCNR Calendar website; click on Events, then select the “First Day Hikes” tab on the right.
Established on July 1, 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is charged with maintaining and protecting 121 state parks; managing 2.2 million acres of state forest land; providing information on the state’s ecological and geologic resources; and establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space, and natural areas. DCNR’s mission is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment. Learn more at DCNR.pa.gov.
Author: Britt Madera
Britt joined the PA Wilds team as communications manager in 2022, helping to tell the stories that make our region so unique, whether that is covering our beautiful landscapes, the innovative businesses, or the spunky people that call it home. She had worked the last 10 years in radio and news broadcasting, and now she’s continuing to connect media outlets with positive news stories. Britt oversees external communications, media relations, and paid and volunteer content on the blog. As someone who grew up in Clearfield County and moved back shortly after college, Britt is eager to share her passion for the PA Wilds and help our area grow and shine.