Ring in the New Year with Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ First Day Hikes

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources wants you to start the new year off on the right foot. On Jan. 1, naturalists will lead “First Day” hikes across 15 state parks and one state nature preserve, sharing the cultural and ecological stories that make up each site, as well as encouraging Ohioans to enjoy the natural beauty of our state.

Hikers in the northwest region can join a group meeting at Marblehead Lighthouse State Park’s lighthouse for a “hike” to the top, an off-season history lesson and tour and an opportunity for bird-watching. Southwest Ohio participants are welcome to meet at Caesar Creek State Park’s Nature Center to begin a moderate 3-mile hike through Pioneer Village to Horseshoe Falls.

For those who want to gather afterward, naturalists at Salt Fork State Park offer a 1.8-mile walk followed by hot chocolate and snacks at Lore City’s Stone House Museum. And birders can head to Holland’s Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve for a chance to spot shrikes, northern harriers and saw-whet and short-eared owls.

“Whether you’re stepping onto a trail for the first time or returning to a favorite path,” ODNR director Mary Mertz said in a Dec. 18 press release, “Ohio’s state parks and nature preserves offer a place to reset and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.”

These gatherings are part of a larger “First Day Hikes in America’s State Parks” initiative, which span all 50 states with over 1,000 opportunities. Each Ohio hike is approachable for all ages, and every participant will receive a commemorative 2026 Winter Hike sticker while supplies last. A full list of locations and times can be found on ODNR’s website.