Ring In The New Year At New Jersey’s State Parks & Forests With A Guided First Day Hike
The Department of Environmental Protection has announced that residents have the opportunity to kick off the New Year with a guided “First Day Hike” in one of New Jersey’s many…
The Department of Environmental Protection has announced that residents have the opportunity to kick off the New Year with a guided "First Day Hike" in one of New Jersey's many state parks, forests, and historic sites on January 1.
The New Jersey State Park Service is offering a record number of at least 40 hikes throughout the state, ranging in difficulty levels from beginner to advanced. You can visit nj.gov for the most recent updates on each of the scheduled free First Day Hikes being offered this Sunday.
“First Day Hikes are the perfect opportunity to get outside, recharge and connect with nature in one of New Jersey’s state parks, forests or historic sites,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “Not only will you get fresh air and exercise, but you will make memories exploring New Jersey’s incredible natural and historic resources.”
New Jersey offered 28 hikes in 2022 where more than 248 hikers traveled 952 miles on First Day Hikes throughout New Jersey’s vast network of trails.
January 1, 2023- First Day Hikes In New Jersey
High Point State Park (Sussex, NJ)
Sixth Annual High Point "First Day Challenge" Hike
Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail (Newton, NJ)
38th Annual New Year’s Day Hike
Registration is required by emailing pbk123@aol.com or through Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail Committee Meetup page.
NJ Botanical Garden in Ringwood State Park (Ringwood, NJ)
First Day Hike
Registration is not required.
Warren-Highlands Trail (Phillipsburg, NJ)
15-mile full-day hike along the Warren Highlands Trail!
Registration is required. Email your name, phone number, email address, and number of people in your group to sprucerun@dep.nj.gov.
Wawayanda State Park (Hewitt, NJ)
Red Dot Trail - First Day Hike
Registration helpful but not required. You may call Wawayanda park office at (973)-853-4462.
Allaire State Park (Farmingdale, NJ)
First Day Nature Hike
Registration is not required. For more information you can call Allaire State Park Office at 732-938-2371.
Allaire State Park (Farmingdale, NJ)
Historic Allaire Village Walk
Registration is required. Please e-mail wma12.njwap@gmail.com with your name and number of people in your party.
Boxwood Hall Historic Site (Elizabeth, NJ)
Explore 300+ yeas of history in Elizabeth, NJ—oldest English settlement in the State and still developing!
Registration is required. Call: 908-282-7617 or e-mail boxwood73@aol.com.
Cheesequake State Park (Old Bridge, NJ)
2023 First Day Hike At Cheesequake State Park
Registration is NOT required. For more information, call 732-566-3208.
D&R Canal State Park (Trenton, NJ)
Downtown Trenton Battle Monument Loop
Registration is required. Please email Mackenzie.Piggott@dep.nj.gov and provide your name, the number of people you are registering, and the best way to reach you the day of if the hike needs to be canceled due to weather.
D&R Canal / Mapleton Preserve (Princeton, NJ)
Princeton Nursery Lands First Day Hike
No registration needed and visit the ww.fpnl.org website and/or call 609-683-0483 for cancellation information.
D&R Canal State Park (Stockton, NJ)
New Years Day Hike At White Oak Trail
Registration is required, please email wma11.njwap@gmail.com.
D&R Canal State Park Towpath Trail (Hamilton Township, NJ)
Starting 2023 On The Right Foot
Register at FirstDayHike.Eventbrite. Please email wma20.njwap@gmail.com for further questions.
Island Beach State Park (Seaside Park, NJ)
Monmouth Battlefield State Park (Manalapan, NJ)
Perrine Hill And Sutfin Farm Hiking Tour
Registration is not required. For more information, please call the park office at 732-462-9616.
