• Date: January 1, 2019
  Time: All Day

What’s the best way to spend New Year’s Day? Take a First Day Hike in one of 27 participating Iowa state parks! Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.  

Staff and volunteers will lead free, guided First Day Hikes in Iowa’s 27 participating state parks. Some hikes will include wildlife viewing and hot beverages. Hikes will average one to two miles or longer depending on the location. Details about the hikes can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes. To see a comprehensive national map of First Day Hikes, visit www.stateparks.org  Participants are encouraged to share their adventures on social media with #FirstDayHikes or #iowastateparks.

Iowa First Day Hikes will take place at the following state parks:

NORTHWEST

Big Creek State Park
Dolliver Memorial State Park
Gitchie Manitou State Preserve
Ledges State Park
Pilot Knob State Park
Prairie Rose State Park
Springbrook State Park
Stone State Park

SOUTHWEST

Green Valley State Park
Lake Anita State Park
Waubonsie State Park

SOUTHEAST

Elk Rock State Park
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
Lake Darling State Park
Lake Wapello State Park
Walnut Woods State Park
Wildcat Den State Park

NORTHEAST

Bellevue State Park
Cedar Rock State Park
Lake Macbride State Park
Maquoketa Caves State Park
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Pikes Peak State Park
Pine Lake State Park
Union Grove State Park
Volga River State Recreation Area
Yellow River State Forest