PHOENIX – Arizona State Parks and Trails invites visitors to the parks on New Year’s Day for its annual First Day Hikes. The events are part of a national collaboration in all 50 state park systems that began three decades ago to kick off the new year in a healthy and exciting way.

Several Arizona state parks will host First Day Hikes on Monday, January 1, 2024. During the hike, park rangers, naturalists, and volunteer guides will share information about Arizona’s plants, wildlife, natural resources, regional history, and recreational opportunities. The distance and rigor of the hikes vary from park to park, but they all aim to create a fun experience for the whole family.

The hikes encourage people to connect with others and nature, which is proven to offer mental and physical benefits when incorporated into our routines. The events also foster an appreciation for and a sense of shared stewardship of our natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

A full list of First Day Hikes with locations, difficulty, length, terrain, and tips can be found at AZStateParks.com/fdh. Some hikes require registration and others do not permit pets, so be sure to check the details before heading out. All hikes are weather permitting.

While enjoying the great outdoors on New Year’s Day, hikers are encouraged to participate in Arizona State Parks and Trails’ Opt Outside Photo Contest. Snap a picture in the parks and submit it to for a chance to win prizes any outdoor enthusiast will love. The contest runs through January 15, 2024; more info is available at AZStateParks.com/photo-contest.

Join us on January 1, 2024, to start the new year off on the right foot with a First Day Hike in one of Arizona’s stunning state parks.