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Take a First Day Hike To Celebrate the New Year

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Mt. Prospect Tower, Weeks State Park, Lancaster.

 

CONCORD – Start the New Year with a hike with family and friends in one of four New Hampshire’s State Parks. For the sixth year, the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation will sponsor free hikes on New Year’s Day as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states.

This initiative offers individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on Jan. 1, 2017. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.

The following are the NH First Day Hike Locations:

  • Monadnock State Park, located in Jaffrey, event will start at 11:00 a.m. Park staff will lead a hike along the Parker Trail.  It is considered a moderate hike, 2.8 miles in length round trip and will take approximately 3 hours to hike. A shorter more leisurely option will also be available that would take approximately 2 hours to hike.
  • Silver Lake State Park, located in Hollis, event will start at 12:00 p.m. Beaver Brook Nature Center and park staff will lead a guided pet friendly a mile long hike with in the park.
  • Weeks State Park, located in Lancaster, event will start at 11:00 a.m. Park staff will lead a pet friendly hike up the Mt Prospect auto road. It is considered a moderate hike, 3.2 miles in length round trip and will take approximately 2 hours to hike.
  • Wellington State Park, located in Alexandria, event will start at 12:00 p.m. Parks staff, the Lakes Region Conservation Trust and the Newfound Lake Association will lead a pet friendly moderate 1.5 mile hike through the park.
  • Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion State Historic Site, located in Portsmouth, event will start at 12:00 p.m. The Society of New Hampshire Forests volunteer land stewards will lead a hike along the Little Harbor Loop Trail. It is considered an easy hike, 1.5 miles in length, and will take approximately 1-1.5 hours to hike at a casual rate.

“We are excited to again host First Day Hikes as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into our parks. First Day Hikes are a great way to cure cabin fever and burn off those extra holiday calories by starting off the New Year with an invigorating walk or hike in one of our beautiful state parks,” said Phil Bryce director of NH Division of Parks and Recreation.

For more information on First Day Hikes and to register for a hike, visit nhstateparks.org. For questions, please contact Eric Feldbaum, nhfdh@dred.nh.gov or 603-271-3556.

About the Division of Parks and Recreation

The Division of Parks and Recreation is comprised of the Bureau of Park Operations, Bureau of Historic Sites, Bureau of Trails, and Cannon Mountain. The Division manages 92 properties, including state parks, beaches, campgrounds, historic sites, trails, waysides, and natural areas. The Division of Parks and Recreation is one of four divisions of the Department of Resources and Economic Development.  To learn more, visitwww.nhstateparks.org, follow NH State Parks on Facebook and Twitter, or call 603/271-3556.

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