Main Menu

First Day Hikes

Celebrate the beginning of 2023 by taking a guided hike in a Missouri state park on Jan. 1. Start a new tradition with your friends and family as you get some healthy exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. First Day Hikes are promoted by America’s State Parks. For more information, click here.

Click on the park names below to learn more about each hike. See our trails map for other self-guided hiking opportunities at a park near you.

The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others amid ongoing public health concerns. Come prepared with hand sanitizer and bottled water, avoid large and congested crowds, and please stay home if sick.

Click here to read the news release.

Park/Historic Site

Meeting Location

Time

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Wildwood Alta Shelter parking lot 10 a.m. to noon
Bennett Spring State Park, Lebanon Savanna Ridge/Natural Tunnel Trailhead parking lot 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Big Sugar Creek State Park, Pineville Ozark Chinquapin Trailhead 9 a.m. to noon
Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site, Ash Grove Picnic shelter 10 a.m. to noon
Bryant Creek State Park, Ava Pike Hollow Trailhead 10 a.m. to noon
Crowder State Park, Trenton Shelter 3 parking lot 2-4 p.m.
Cuivre River State Park – Camp Sherwood, Troy Camp Sherwood Recreation Hall 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Cuivre River State Park – Frenchman's Bluff Trail, Troy Stone Shelter 1-3 p.m.
Cuivre River State Park – Hamilton Hollow and Cuivre River trails and White Connector 2, Troy Stone Shelter 1-3 p.m.
Graham Cave State Park, Danville Visitor center 9 a.m. to noon
Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton Post Office Shelter 10 a.m. to noon
Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve White Oaks Trailhead Noon to 2 p.m.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Kaiser Hidden Springs Trailhead 2-4 p.m.
Meramec State Park, Sullivan In front of visitor center 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Missouri Mines State Historic Site, Park Hills Gatehouse 9-11 a.m.
Montauk State Park, Salem Nature center 10 a.m. to noon
Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg Showerhouse 1 9-11 a.m.
Prairie State Park, Mindenmines Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center 1-3 p.m.
Roaring River State Park, Cassville Eagle's Nest Trailhead 1-4 p.m.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park – Deer Run Trail, Columbia For details on meeting location, register for the hike Noon to 3:30 p.m.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park – Gans Creek Wild Area, Columbia For details on meeting location, register for the hike Noon to 3:30 p.m.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park – Grassland Trail, Columbia For details on meeting location, register for the hike 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park – Sinkhole and Devil's Icebox trails, Columbia For details on meeting location, register for the hike 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park – Sinkhole and Devil's Icebox trails, Columbia For details on meeting location, register for the hike 12:30-2:30 p.m.
St. Francois State Park, Bonne Terre Swimming Deer Trailhead 1-4 p.m.
St. Joe State Park, Park Hills Shelter 6 1-3 p.m.
Table Rock State Park – Lakeshore Trail, Branson Lakeshore Trailhead at State Park Marina 1-3 p.m.
Table Rock State Park – Red Loop of White River Valley Trail System Trailhead 1 of White River Valley Trail System 10 a.m. to noon
Thousand Hills State Park, Kirksville Red Bud Trailhead 10-11 a.m.
Wakonda State Park, La Grange Jasper Lake parking lot 9-10:30 a.m.
Canceled: Wallace State Park, Cameron Showerhouse parking lot Canceled
Washington State Park, De Soto Thunderbird Lodge 1-2 p.m.
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site, Lawson East dam parking lot 10 a.m. to noon

Images