Sunday, February 9, 2025

Washington State Parks launches New Year's Day hiking events statewide

Posted

OLYMPIA — More than 30 Washington state parks will host outdoor activities on New Year's Day 2025 as part of the annual First Day Hikes program.

The initiative, part of a nationwide program by America's State Parks, will feature various activities including guided hikes, snowshoe excursions, trail rides, polar plunges and scavenger hunts. Last year's events drew more than 1,700 participants who covered 2,907.2 miles of trails across Washington's state parks.

Activities span multiple difficulty levels and locations. Fort Worden will offer a 2.5-mile trek through historic grounds and scenic trails, while Palouse Falls State Park will host a photo scavenger hunt near Washington's official state waterfall. Lake Wenatchee plans a guided 2.5-mile snowshoe hike with limited complimentary equipment rentals available.

The parks department has prioritized accessibility, with ADA-compliant trails available at six locations: Bridle Trails, Columbia Plateau Trail, Lake Sylvia, Palouse Falls, Seaquest and Wenatchee Confluence.

Other featured activities include a cold-water plunge at Maryhill's swim beach, a 1.5-mile old-growth forest exploration at South Whidbey, and equestrian trail rides at Bridle Trails State Park.

January 1 marks 2025's first Discover Pass free day, waiving parking fees at state recreation lands. However, Sno-Park permits remain mandatory at winter recreation areas including Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee and Mount Spokane.

Most activities require advance registration and have limited group sizes. Registration information is available through the Washington State Parks website at www.ncw.social/2p98e5c6.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here