First Day Hikes to Ring in the New Year for 2021
All hikers should follow Maryland State Parks’ guidelines for outdoor exercise and recreation to slow the spread of COVID-19, including keeping a 6-foot distance from anyone outside their household and wearing a face covering when in close proximity to others and when indoors. Anyone who is sick or has been sick over the past two weeks should stay home to recuperate.
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. Kids and adults all across America will be participating in First Day Hikes, getting their hearts pumping and enjoying the beauty of a state park. Last year nearly 28,000 people rang in the New Year, collectively hiking over 66,000 miles throughout the country!
First Day Hikes are led by knowledgeable state park staff and volunteers. The distance and rigor vary from park to park, but all hikes aim to create a fun experience for the whole family. People are invited to savor the beauty of the state park’s natural resources with the comfort of an experienced guide so they may be inspired to take advantage of these local treasures throughout the year.
Please visit https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/ to see all hikes for Maryland!
Charles County
Smallwood State Park
2750 Sweden Point Road Marbury, MD 20658
Hikers Choice - Easy- Choose a trail and distance!
Choose your own hiking experience and post a photo on the Friends of Smallwood Facebook page.
Additional Details: Leashed pets welcome. non-paved surfaces are not accessible by wheelchair or stroller. Portable restrooms by Concessions Building. Click here for a map.
For additional information, contact the park directly: Office: 301-743-7613, Duty Ranger 240.743-8475, E-mail: smallwood.statepark@maryland.gov
Chapman State Park
3452 Ferry Place, Indian Head, MD. 20640
Hikers Choice - Easy - Choose a trail and distance!
Choose your own hiking experience and post a photo on the Friends of Chapman Facebook page.
Additional Details: Leashed pets welcome. Trails are not accessible by wheelchair or stroller. Portable restrooms by the Green Barn. Click here for a map.
For additional information, contact the park directly: Office 301.743.7613, Duty Ranger 240.743.8475, E-mail: smallwood.statepark@maryland.gov
Calvert County
Calvert Cliffs State Park (FREE ADMISSION)
10540 HG Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657
Two Self Guided Options Available:
Option 1: Red Trail - Easy/Moderate- 3.6 miles
This self-guided, ranger recommended out-and-back hike takes you from the parking lot near the bathhouse, through a wetland, down to the beach, and back. At low tide, keep an eye out for shark teeth on the beach! Click here for a map.
Additional Details: Leashed pets are welcome. Red Trail is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers when dry. Portable restrooms are available at the beach. Maps available at the trailhead.
Admission into the park is free for all three days, and the Friends of Calvert Cliffs State Park will be accepting donations for their First Day Food Drive for charity!
Option 2: Orange Trail to Red Trail Loop - Moderate/Difficult- 5.2 miles
Orange Trail not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. Click here for a map. Many trail intersections - hiking experience or familiarity with trail recommended.
Additional Details: Leashed pets are welcome. Portable restrooms are available at the beach. Suggested to wear orange or other bright colors when hiking during hunting seasons. Maps available at the trailhead.
Admission into the park is free for all three days, and the Friends of Calvert Cliffs State Park will be accepting donations for their First Day Food Drive for charity!
For additional information, contact the park directly: Office 443-975-4360 or Email: taylor.quinn@maryland.gov
St. Mary’s County
Greenwell State Park
25420 Rosedale Manor Ln, Hollywood, MD 20636
Hikers Choice - Easy/Moderate- Mileage Varies (Recommended by Ranger Fiona Tillett)
Choose your own hiking experience. Be mindful of hunting areas, wear brightly colored clothing. Post a photo on the Friends of Point Lookout Facebook page.
Additional Details: Leashed pets are welcome. Some trails accessible for strollers. Portable restroom available at main parking lot.
For additional information, contact the park directly: Office 301-872-5688 or Email: pointlookout.statepark@maryland.gov or fiona.tillett@maryland.gov
PG County
Cedarville State Forest
10201 Bee Oak Road, Brandywine, MD 20613
Orange Trail - Moderate - 1.5 miles
Self-guided hike through a heavily wooded trail.
Click here for a Cedarville Trail Guide.
Additional Details: Pets are welcome. Not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.
For additional information, contact the park directly: Office 301-888-1410, Duty Ranger 443-975-4358, or Email: cedarville.statepark@maryland.gov
Merkle Natural Resources Management Area
11704 Fenno Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Three Different Hike Options at Merkle
Option 1: Paw Paw to Poplar Springs Trail Loop - Easy/Moderate- 3.0 miles (Recommended by Maryland Conservation Corps Member Sam Behrens)
This self-guided, ranger recommended loop hike starts from the visitor center, takes you across the short section of the Paw Paw Trail, around the exterior of the Red Trail, and back to the visitor center. Enjoy great wildlife viewing opportunities and keep an eye out for our champion Yellow Poplar tree!
Additional Details: Leashed pets are welcome. Brief roadside walking required. Not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. Portable restroom available at Visitor Center. Follow yellow blazes for Paw Paw Trail and red blazes for Poplar Springs. Maps available at the trailhead.
Option 2: Paw Paw to Mounds Trails - Easy/Moderate- 3.0 miles (Recommended by Maryland Conservation Corps Member Elena Williams-Moreiras)
This self-guided, ranger recommended out-and-back hike starts from the visitor center, takes you down the Paw Paw Trail, around the loop of Mounds Trail, and back to the visitor center. Enjoy a nice rolling trail with a view of marshland at the end of Mounds, which provides great birding opportunities.
Additional Details: Leashed pets are welcome. Brief roadside walking required. Not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. Portable restroom available at Visitor Center. Follow yellow blazes for Paw Paw Trail and blue blazes for Mounds Trail. Maps available at the trailhead.
Option 3: CADT to Lookout Creek Trail - Easy- 2.5 miles (Recommended by Maryland Conservation Corps Member Derek Coss)
This self-guided, ranger recommended out-and-back hike starts from the visitor center, takes you down the CADT- Critical Area Driving Tour between Merkle and Windmill Ponds, around the Lookout Creek Loop, and back to the visitor center. This trail takes you down near the Patuxent River.
Additional Details: Leashed pets are welcome. Brief roadside walking required. Accessible for wheelchairs or strollers on CADT only. Portable restroom available at visitor center. Not recommended in poor weather conditions or recent rain.
For additional information, contact the park directly: Office 443-510-9920 or email: tom.keras@maryland.gov
Just across the bridge!
Caledon State Park
11617 Caledon Rd., King George, VA 22485
January 1, 2021. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Join us for your first hike of 2021! This year, opossum presents will be hidden all along the trails in Caledon State Park to promote social distancing. Find a opossum present, take a picture with it and you will receive a special giveaway from Caledon. Call 540-663-3861 for more information.
Four-legged family members are always welcome so long as they are on a leash no more than six feet in length and under the control of their handlers at all times. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water, binoculars and maybe a camera. Jan. 1 is a fee free day.
Find out about our photo contest and New Year Challenge here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/firstdayhikes
Westmoreland State Park
145 Cliff Road, Montross, VA 22520. Pick up a trail guide at the Visitors Center.
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Begin the New Year with a hike to historic sites. Learn how and when Westmoreland State Park was built! Who were the young men were who built it? Start your adventure by picking up a CCC Self-Guided Hike brochure at the Visitors Center or download and print a copy here https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/WE-CCC-HIKE.pdf (PDF). You will then be transported back in time to the Great Depression and the era of the New Deal, all while enjoying the beauty of Westmoreland State Park!!!
Covid19 Guidelines to be followed. Masks required in all buildings.
Four-legged family members are always welcome so long as they are on a leash no more than six feet in length and under the control of their handlers at all times. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water, binoculars and maybe a camera. Jan. 1 is a fee free day.
Find out about our photo contest and New Year Challenge here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/firstdayhikes
