First Day Hikes Welcomed 1,700 Visitors to Washington State Parks

First Day Hikes have become a favorite New Year’s tradition for many Washington state parks lovers, and each year, more people join in. Featuring fascinating ranger talks, creative activities, and warm drinks, these free events help kick off the new year in exciting ways that allow more visitors to connect outdoors during the holiday season, and the support of Foundation donors is an important part of making these many events happen.

In 2026, Washington State Parks hosted 43 First Day Hikes. More than 1,700 participants welcomed the New Year with activities including nature hikes, snowshoeing, horseback riding, historic tours, crafting, and restoration events.

Participants kept warm with hot cocoa and snacks and received collectible pins to commemorate the day. These donor-supported fan favorites make First Day Hikes feel extra special each year.

Connecting Through Arts and Activities 

Many parks featured memorable activities to connect visitors with nature and each other. At Battle Ground State Park, families created DIY pinecone feeders after their hike.

“This was an awesome activity that kept participants of the hike around afterwards, chatting and getting to know park staff and each other a bit more,” Battle Ground Lake State Park Ranger Breanna Friend shared. “The visitors really enjoyed having an activity to do following the hike that kept their kiddos busy while parents were able to fill up a warm cup of coffee by the campfire.”

Welcoming First-Time Visitors

First Day Hikes continue to grow and introduce many visitors to state parks for the very first time. Guided excursions take the guesswork out of exploring and build confidence for those new to outdoor adventure.

Bottle Beach’s First Day Hike drew seasoned hikers and first-timers from near and far.

“My highlight was seeing how many attendees were experiencing a state park or a First Day Hike for the very first time,” Park Ranger Nick Schwalb said. “People drove from several hours away, and passed other parks to go to Bottle Beach.”

Offering Fun Ways to Give Back 

While most traditional First Day Hikes involve hikes, snowshoeing, or other outdoor excursions, Deception Pass offered a unique way to show love of parks this year. Volunteers planted more than 2,000 trees near the shore of Pass Lake at Deception Pass. First-time tree-planters, children from the nearby nature school, families, staff, and many others came together to restore the area’s old hay fields to help it become a healthy mixed conifer forest.

Deception Pass’s Park Manager Jason Armstrong shared: “Overall, the feedback from the volunteers was that it was the greatest event we held. They all were asking when the next tree planting event was and were looking forward to other opportunities in the park.”

Learning About Park History 

Several First Day Hikes also included interpretive talks and activities about the history and geography of parks. At Lyons Ferry State Park, kids created railroad trestles out of mini marshmallows and toothpicks to learn how the historic Joso High Bridge was built. Hikers at Kopachuck State Park learned how to measure trees to find out if they are old growth or second-generation from historic logging in the area. Curlew Lake Park Ranger Joe Giampietri shared information with his First Day Hikers about nearby fossil dig sites.

First Day Hikes are the first of the 12 free state park days that occur throughout the year. These free days help make parks and outdoor recreation sites more accessible for those that don’t have an entry pass like the state parks annual Discover Pass.

Thanks in part to Washington State Parks Foundation donors, guided events like First Day Hikes help remove cost barriers to state parks, create meaningful connections, and encourage thousands of visitors to start the year outdoors.

Be on the lookout in November to sign up for next year’s First Day Hikes. Based on this year’s adventures, you won’t want to miss out.