Start the New Year outdoors with fresh air, scenic trails, and a renewed focus on health and wellness.File
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources invites you to kick off 2025 with its annual First Day Hikes program. Start the New Year outdoors with fresh air, scenic trails, and a renewed focus on health and wellness.
“Beginning the year with a First Day Hike is more than just a fitness activity; it’s about reconnecting with nature and making lasting memories with family and friends,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “With trails across our state parks offering something for everyone, it’s the perfect way to celebrate Ohio’s natural beauty.”
Thirteen hikes are planned at Ohio state parks, offering experiences for every type of hiker. Choose from lakefront paths to wooded trails, with all 13 locations featuring naturalist-led tours that reveal the natural and cultural stories behind Ohio’s landscapes.
Each First Day Hike is family-friendly. Participants also will receive a sticker commemorating the Winter Hike program while supplies last.
Ohio’s First Day Hikes are part of the nationwide First Day Hikes in America’s State Parks program, which includes more than 1,000 hikes across all 50 states. This initiative, which began more than 30 years ago, has inspired millions to explore the outdoors every New Year’s Day.
ODNR encourages hikers to dress in layers; cover exposed areas like heads, necks and hands; and bring water and snacks for the trail. Visit the ODNR website for additional winter trail safety tips and details on individual hikes at www.ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/news/first-day-hike-2025.
