Jones Beach State Park in winter. Registration is now open for First Day hikes in 38 New York State parks and historic sites © 2015 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Registration is now open for the fifth annual First Day Hikes program taking place at 38 state parks and historical sites on January 1. First Day Hikes give people of all ages an opportunity to kick off the New Year and enjoy nature during guided walks.
First Day Hikes offer a great way to connect with the outdoors, exercise and enjoy nature on New Year’s Day. Participants can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of the season and spectacular vistas, and benefit from the company of a knowledgeable guide. State park staff and volunteers will lead these family-friendly walks and hikes, which average one to three miles or longer depending on the location.
This year, 41 hikes are being offered at 38 New York state parks and historic sites. The programs include a seal walk, winter woodlands, a walking history tour, a snowshoe waterfall hike, pet-friendly treks, crossing one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges, and more. If weather conditions permit, some First Day Hikes may include snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Many hikes will be offering refreshments. Last year, over 2,100 participants took part in celebrating First Day Hikes across the state.
In New York, hikes will be offered at the following locations:
Western New York
- Allegany State Park- Red House, Salamanca, anytime 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.; 716-354-9101 x.236
· Buffalo Harbor State Park, Buffalo; 10 a.m.-12 noon; 716-549-1050
· DeVeaux Woods-Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Falls; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 716-285-5154
· Fort Niagara State Park, Youngstown; 1:30 p.m.–4 p.m.; 716-285-5154
· Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, York; 10 a.m.; 585-493-3600
· Knox Farm State Park, East Aurora; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 716-549-1050
· Letchworth State Park, Castile; 1 p.m.; (two hikes – one for families with young children); 585-493-3600
· Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls; 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; 716-285-5154
Finger Lakes & Central New York
- Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, Westford; 1 p.m.; 607-638-5421
· Catharine Valley Trail, Watkins Glen; 10 a.m.; 607-535-4511
· Chenango Valley State Park, Chenango Forks; 12:30 p.m.; 607-648-5251
· Clark Reservation State Park, Jamesville; 1 p.m.; 315-492-1590
· Fort Ontario State Historic Site, Oswego; 10 a.m.; 315-343-4711
· Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg; 1 p.m.; 607-387-7041
· Two Rivers State Park, Waverly; 10:30 a.m.; 607-273-3440
North Country & Greater Capital District
- Mine Kill State Park, North Blenheim; 11 a.m.; 518-827-8690
· Moreau Lake State Park, Gansevoort; 10 a.m.-12 noon; 518-793-0511
· Peebles Island State Park, Waterford; 10 a.m.; 518-268-2188
· Point Au Roche State Park, Plattsburgh; 1 p.m.; 518-561-4213
· Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, Sackets Harbor; 12 noon; 315-489-3642
· Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs; 10 a.m.; 518-584-2000
· Schodack Island State Park, Schodack Landing; 1 p.m.; 518-732-0187
· Thacher State Park, Voorheesville; 10 a.m.; 518-872-0800
· Wellesley Island State Park, Fineview; 1 p.m.; 315-482-2479
Hudson Valley
- FDR State Park, Yorktown; 11 a.m.; 914-245-4434 x8
· John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, Katonah; 1 p.m.; 914-232-5651 x 105
· Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Peter’s Kill, Kerhonkson; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; 845-255-0752
· Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Sam’s Point, Cragsmoor; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; 845-255-0752
· Olana State Historic Site, Hudson; 11 a.m.; 518-828-0135 x303
· Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville; 9 a.m.; 914-666-6503
· Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo; 11 a.m.; 845-351-5907
· Taconic State Park – Copake Falls, Copake Falls; 1 p.m.; 518-329-3993
· Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park; Poughkeepsie; 2 p.m.; 845-454-9649
New York City and Long Island
- Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale; 10 a.m.; 516-249-3560
· Clay Pit Ponds, Staten Island; 11 a.m.; 718-605-3970 x201
· Connetquot River State Park, Oakdale; 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.; 631-581-1072
· Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh; 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.; 516-785-3614 or 516-780-3295
· Montauk Point State, Montauk; 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; 631-668-2554
“The natural beauty of New York State makes the perfect backdrop for welcoming in 2016 with family and friends,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said. “I encourage everyone to start a new tradition and take a First Day Hike at their local state park or use the occasion to discover a new favorite.”
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey said, “We are proud to once again host the First Day Hikes and offer these popular outdoor events for the New Year. For 2016, we’re offering more inspiration than ever for people of all ages and interests from lakeside trails to spellbinding views of a gorge, centuries of military history, and treks through woods or waterfronts. So start off the year with a healthy hike and set the stage for enjoying the parks year-round.”
Details about hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain, registration requirements and additional information are listed at nysparks.com.
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