First Day Hikes

About First Day Hikes

First Day Hikes is a national initiative, promoted by America's State Parks, to get people outside on New Year's Day. Each year, state parks across the country host guided hikes on Jan. 1 to encourage residents to ring in the new year with fresh air, exercise and camaraderie. The program began in 2012 and is still going strong!

First Day Hikes in Missouri

Whether you've participated in a First Day Hike before, or you want to start a new tradition, or just you want to see what the fuss is about, we invite you to join us at a Missouri state park or historic site on the first day of the new year.

First Day Hikes in Missouri are typically guided, but they may be self-guided, as well. Self-guided hikes typically feature information for hikers to read and follow. In addition, some options may be presented as walks or saunters instead of hikes; these options emphasize the experience over the intensity.

2027 Hikes

Information about Missouri's 2027 First Day Hikes will be added to this page as each hike is finalized. To find more hiking opportunities near you, check out our statewide trails map or our list of all upcoming guided hikes.

Previous Years

In 2022, hazardous weather forced the cancellation of most of our First Day Hikes. Since then, our park system has hosted at least 30 First Day Hikes each year, with an annual turnout of at least 700 people.

During our most recent round of First Day Hikes, 23 parks and five historic sites hosted a total of 34 hikes across 26 counties. More than 1,300 people participated; together, they hiked over 2,800 miles.