Texas State Parks First Day Hikes: It’s More Than Hiking

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Have you ever participated in Texas State Parks First Day Hikes?

Or, have you ever even heard about first day hikes?

Texas State Parks First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. On New Year’s Day, hundreds of free, guided hikes will be organized in all 50 states. The parks across America expected to see kids and adults participating in this First Day Hikes.

First Day Hikes are led by knowledgeable state park staff and volunteers. The distance and difficulty vary from park to park, but it is a fun experience for the whole family. With the experience they gain through the first day hikes, the parks hope it will inspire them to utilize these local treasures throughout the year.

Texas State Parks First Day Hikes Is More Than Hiking

On the first day of 2020, Texas State Parks saw more than 5,000 people in 76 parks who participated in one of the 126 events held that day.

Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, about an hour southwest of Fort Worth, had the most participants during the events held throughout the day. They saw 390 visitors that day. Mother Neff State Park near Waco was closed behind with 387 participants and Tyler State Park in Tyler came in third with 262 participants.

In 2021, the number of participants were significantly low because of the pandemic. Not only that, not all Texas State Parks offered First Day Hikes. Also, the parks were still limited number of daily visitors.

My son, our dog Snoopy, and I did our Texas State Parks First Day Hikes at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose. They didn’t have a guided hike, we did it ourselves. It’s quite cold and my son and Snoopy went ahead of me. At one point I missed the turn and I went all the way to what appeared to be will be a new development area. I ended up hiking for 4 hours and missed the Polar Plunge. During the hike we only saw a couple of people on the trails.

Before leaving the park we stopped at the headquarter. In order to get the First Day Hikes pin, we have to show the ranger a picture of the first day hike sign on the trail. Well, they didn’t have the pin. They just gave us a pin from a different event. That’s a bit disappointed. Not that we hiked for the pin.

First Day Hikes in Texas State Parks offer various lengths and terrain of the trails. From short, leisurely nature walks through forested trails and along boardwalks to climbs into the mountains of the Chihuahuan Desert. Participants will learn about native plants, animals, or park history from the park staff or volunteers who guide the hikes.

In Texas State Parks, the first day hikes are not only about hiking, whether it’s morning, afternoon, or midnight walk. There are parks that offer polar plunges, bike rides, runs, yoga hikes, paddles, identifying birds while hiking, and even First Day Fido Hikes! So, no one left behind.

For this coming New Year of 2022, I’m sure it will be different. Rules are not that strict although some parks will still offer smaller group hikes, or hike on your own. Definitely more Texas State Parks will be open for the First Day Hikes.

If you plan to participate, you must check the Texas State Parks website regularly. I give you the link to Texas State Parks First Day Hikes to make your life easier. 😉

What to expect on a First Day Hikes

Like I mentioned above, First Day Hikes in Texas State Parks is not only about hiking. Go check the park’s website to see what activities they offer for the first day of the New Year.

Here are some examples of the previous First Day Hikes activities in Texas State Parks:

1. Dinosaur Valley State Park – self-guided first hike, ranger-guided first day overlook hike, first day horse ride, and polar plunge to the Blue Hole

2. Eisenhower State Park – self guided first day hike

3. Lake Brownwood State Park – self guided and ranger guided first day hikes

4. Caprock Canyons State Park – not just hiking, participants also picking up trash along the trails

5. Tyler State Park – hiking and identifying birds

6. Colorado Bend – self guided first day hike/bike, or join a ranger for a first day bike along Lively Loop

7. Palo Duro Canyon State Park – ranger guided first day hike for the first sunset   

8. Lockhart State Park – self guided first hike, first day plant hike, first day early risers hike, first day sunset hike

What’s more interesting, there are a few Texas State Parks that combine the first day hikes with the last day hikes of 2021! Here they are:

1. Palo Duro Canyon State Park – First Day Hike Midnight. A couple of rangers will take you for a brisk, after hours hike on the Kiowa Trail right as the clock strikes midnight! Gather at 11pm.
2. Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway – First Day Hike – Midnight Hike.
3. San Angelo State Park – New Year’s Eve Midnight Hike.
4. Dinosaur Valley State Park – First Day Midnight Countdown Hike.
5. Fort Parker State Park – Black Light Hike & Scavenger Hunt at Midnight!

Remember! Most Texas State Parks require you to sign up for the First Day Hikes event. Although the hike is free, you still have to pay for the entrance fee.

At this time of year, the park still limits the number of people that can come for a day visit. If you plan to do the first day hike at the nearest state park from where you live, you better get the passes now. You can obtain your park’s passes online 5 months in advance. If you think you will visit the parks a lot throughout the year, it is better to get an annual pass. With Texas State Parks pass you can visit the parks as many times as you want within one year, together with your guests who is riding in the same car with you.

What to wear and to bring for the hike

– First, check out the weather forecast in the park where you plan to do the first day hike. Then dress accordingly. Layers, hats, shorts, t-shirt, etc.

– As for the shoes, you don’t have to buy a pair of new hiking boots just for this hike. Most of the hikes are designed for the whole family and it’s not that long. A good tennis shoes will be enough.

– Hiking stick is optional. Read the description of the hike carefully. It will help you to understand whether you need to bring a hiking stick or not.

– Don’t forget to bring enough water for everyone in your group, doesn’t matter if it’s a short hike. This include waters for your four legged friends.

– If you hike with children, it will be nice to carry snacks with you. Somehow, children are always hungry.

– You still need that sunscreen.

What to do if you can’t join the First Day Hikes program.

When I first heard about the First Day Hikes program, it was two years ago and I wasn’t sure whether my family wanted to do it. The weatherman called for the upper 30s for the highest temperature that day, and with wind chill, it would feel like the upper 20s. A really big obstacle!

Sure enough, we woke up to a chilli New Year in 2019. We decided to do the First Day Hike in Cleburne State Park, the nearest state park from where we live. When we got to the park we were shocked to see at least 10 cars ahead of us. Once we got to the entrance, the Park Ranger told us that there were 200 people inside doing the Texas State Parks First Day Hikes. Wow!

As we were late to sign up for the first day hike guided by the park staff, we did our first day hike ourselves. We’ve been to the park many times and know every trail in the Cleburne State Park.

A year after that, we were in Ocean City, New Jersey visiting our family. I didn’t want to miss the first day hike of the year, but I didn’t know about the area well. So, I walked along the boardwalk and came back through the beach. In the afternoon they had First Plunge in the Atlantic Ocean. I tried hard to make our son do it, but he didn’t want to. We ended up watching hundreds of people run to the water and scream once the bitterly cold water touched their feet.

So, that’s what you can do if you are late signing up for the event. Just do it by yourself. Get your Texas State Parks passes, go to the nearest or preference state park of yours, and do the first hikes, bikes, runs, or paddles of the year. Start the New Year with a healthier you.

Have you ever done a first day hike at Texas State Parks? Or, at any other state park around the country? Tell me your experiences by leaving your comment below. Also, don’t forget to pin these images for your future references.

Keep moving, stay healthy!