Join the movement that gets larger every year and participate in our annual First Day Hikes. An initiative of America's State Parks, this year will be bigger and better than ever.
Visit any of our 37 Virginia State Parks on January 1 and participate in one of our guided hikes and programs or create your own adventure. All of our parks are free to enter that day as a way to encourage everyone to start the New Year right. The hardest part may be deciding which park to visit and some of our past First Day Hike participants have visited more than one. The first 100 visitors to each park will receive a commemorative bumper sticker.
Oh, and we use the term "Hikes" but also count strolling, biking, horseback riding, rambling, wildlife viewing ...
For a complete list of scheduled hikes and programs for Jan. 1, 2019, click here.
After you decide WHERE you plan to visit to participate, be sure to participate in our two contests for a chance to win some great prizes.
New Year Challenge
We are switching the participating contest up this year and making it an individual challenge. However, it is certainly more fun to get a group together to participate in a First Day Hike. To participate in this contest, you need to "Resolve" or "Pledge" to participate using our online sign up tool. You must do this before midnight on Dec. 31 to participate in the contest. After you visit the park on Jan. 1, you will need to enter the fact that you completed the Challenge before midnight on Jan. 1. You go back to the same web page to register your participation. Prizes will be awarded based on a drawing of folks who complete the Challenge. It's not every year you can make and complete a New Year's Resolution on the first day of the year.
- Grand Prize: $500 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
- First Prize: $250 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
- Second Prize: $100 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
- Third Prize: 10,000 Virginia State Parks Loyalty Points
Photo Contest
Take a photo on Jan. 1 at one of our Virginia State Parks and upload the photo to the contest site on or before 11:59 p.m. ET on Jan. 1. You can enter up to 3 photos and must abide by the rules of the contest.
- Grand Prize: $500 Virginia State Parks Overnight Stay Gift Certificate
- First Prize: $250 Virginia State Parks Overnight Stay Gift Certificate
- Second Prize: $100 Virginia State Parks Overnight Stay Gift Certificate
- Third Prize: $66 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
Hope you all get out and enjoy a First Day Hike on Jan 1!
