Travel

Thousands Plan To Start New Year With A Cold Weather Hike

Why Everyone Is Hiking On New Year’s Day

If your New Year’s resolutions involve being more active or enjoying the great outdoors, America’s State Parks and The National Park Service are ready to help you out. Their “First Day Hikes” programs offer free, guided hikes at parks across the country on New Year’s day.

"First Day Hikes" was first started by state park systems, but now has also been adopted by the National Park Service. The idea is to invite everyone to enjoy their local park on January 1, with the hope that starting early will encourage people to enjoy the health benefits of getting out into nature all year long. The events attracted an estimated 55,000 people last year.

Wondering where you can celebrate your own first day hike? Take a look at this National Park Service tool to find that National Park closest to you, or find a list of parks in your state that will be offering first day hike activities here.

If you want to hit the trail to start 2025, remember to prepare for cold temperatures by dressing in layers that you can pile on or peel off. Take a bottle of warm water, and keep it warm inside your jacket, or wrapped in a koozie. Lastly, don’t forget to wear a hat and your sunscreen, and enjoy.

This segment originally appeared in today's edition of the Morning Brief newsletter. Sign up here to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.

Senior writer Chris DeWeese edits Morning Brief, The Weather Channel’s weekday newsletter.