Celebrate the New Year in a New Hampshire State Park

12/07/2018

New Hampshire State Parks invites the public to kick off the New Year with a hike On New Year’s Day. Five state parks across New Hampshire will host free hikes, providing individuals and families the opportunity to welcome in 2019 in the outdoors while exercising and connecting with nature.

This is the ninth year New Hampshire has participated in the First Day Hikes program. The program is part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors.

“This initiative has allowed New Hampshire to offer visitors a unique experience in the off season to enjoy State Parks. First Day Hikes are a great way to cure cabin fever and burn off those extra holiday calories by starting off the New Year with an invigorating walk or hike in one of our beautiful state parks,” said Phil Bryce, director of the NH Division of Parks and Recreation.

New Hampshire First Day Hike locations are listed below, each location registration begins at 12:00 p.m.

Silver Lake State Park: Hollis Trails Committee, Beaver Brook Nature Center, Nor’easters Snowmobile Club and park staff will be on hand to assist with a pet friendly self-guided 1 mile hike in the park and along the abutting Woodmont Orchard.
Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion State Historic Site: The Society of New Hampshire Forests volunteer land stewards will be on hand to interpret a hike along the Little Harbor Loop Trail. It is considered an easy hike, 1.5 miles in length, and will take approximately 1-1.5 hours to hike at a casual rate.
Milan Hill State Park: Park staff and Nansen Ski Club volunteers will host cross country skiers and snowshoers of all skill levels on 16km of groomed cross country ski trails.
Pisgah State Park: The Friends of Pisgah State Park, with the help of park staff, will offer a gentle 2 mile round trip hike along the Doolittle trail leaving from park headquarters.
Bear Brook State Park: Derry Trail Riders volunteers and park staff will offer an easy 1.25-mile self-guided hike along Catamount Pond exercise trail. Weather permitting there will be free horse drawn wagon rides.

Visit our First Day Hikes webpage to register. Please contact Eric Feldbaum, nhfdh@dncr.nh.gov or 603-271-3556 with any questions.