(Media release from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources):
Get an inspirational start to 2024 by joining the “First Day Hikes” movement on New Year’s Day. Rangers at more than 40 Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites are offering guided adventures where you can connect with friends, family and the great outdoors. Hikers can choose from a variety of distances and difficulties, from kid-friendly strolls to heart-pumping treks. Participants will get a First Day Hikes sticker to commemorate their accomplishments.
Among the more unique programs is ringing in the New Year atop an ancient earthen mound at Kolomoki Mounds State Park. Indian Springs State Park hosts a dog-friendly sensory-awareness hike, while Wormsloe Historic Site showcases colonial history and salt marsh. Hikers can even watch sunset from Tallulah Gorge’s highest point, then write down their burdens and toss them into a campfire. These and dozens of additional hikes are listed on GaStateParks.org.
First Day Hikes is a national initiative from America’s State Parks that encourages people to get out and explore nature. It began more than three decades ago, and all 50 states have participated.
For guests who want to celebrate New Year’s Eve surrounded by fresh air rather than fireworks, Georgia’s State Parks offer cozy cabins, heated yurts, lodge rooms and modern campsites. Fireworks and sparklers are not allowed in state parks, making them a peaceful choice for the holiday – especially those with dogs. For reservations, call 1-800-864-7275 or book at GaStateParks.org.
