(Idaho State) State Parks in Idaho and across the United States invite you to begin 2025 by participating in a First Day Hike on January 1, 2025. In Idaho, the First Day Hike experience includes opportunities for guided hikes, walks and ski tours, resources to locate hiking trails for New Year’s Day, and sharing how these hikes are an opportunity to start 2025 on the right foot.
Lucky Peak State Park – Boise
Self-guided activity hikes on Boise Greenbelt
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Check in at the Sandy Point State Park Office
First 25 hikers receive a commemorative token
Free hot chocolate
Hells Gate State Park – Lewiston
Self-guided hiking on park trails
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Harriman State Park – Island Park
Snowshoe Walk on John Muir Trail
Meet at the Visitor Center
Starts at 11 a.m.
Ski Tour to Cattle Bridge
Meet at the Ranchview Shelter
Starts at 2 p.m.
Farragut State Park – Athol
Guided 2-mile hike to the Buttonhook Viewpoint Overlook
Meet at Visitor Center
Starts at 10 a.m.
Ashton-Tetonia Trail – Ashton
Join park staff for a 3.2 mile roundtrip snowshoe to Bitch Creek Trestle
Meet at the Judkins parking lot
Visit the IDPR Hiking Webpage: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/activities/hiking/ The page includes the Idaho Trails Map developed by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, information about the Idaho Centennial Trail, trail etiquette and more.
Share Your First Day Hike on Social Media
Follow the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and see our #FirstDayHike post on Facebook and visit us on Instagram. Share your hikes with comments and pictures. Use the hashtag #FirstDayHike. You will be joining others across the country using that hashtag to celebrate and share.
About First Day Hikes
The tradition began as a national program in 1992 at Blue Hills Reservation State Park in Massachusetts. Since 2012, the program has grown to include nearly all 50 states, bringing together thousands of participants each year to celebrate the start of the year in nature.
About Idaho State Parks
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) manages 30 State Parks in Idaho that cover 60,000 acres of land. Many of the parks have reserved camping facilities available. IDPR manages more than 19,000 miles of hiking, biking and multiuse trails, with about 7,000 miles available for motorized use statewide. There are more than 2,500 overnight campsites, cabins, yurts and group facilities within Idaho State Parks.
About America’s State Parks
America’s State Parks is an alliance of state park systems in all 50 states. The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) promotes and advocates for the state park systems across America in providing conservation and management of natural and cultural resources, quality outdoor recreation experiences, and connecting children and families to nature and the outdoors. With more than 9,817 park areas covering over 20 million acres of land, and visitation of nearly 900 million people annually, state parks are an integral part of protecting natural and cultural resources while providing guests amazing access to the outdoors.
