Celebrate the new year with Washington State Parks during the annual First Day Hikes events on Jan. 1, 2025.
More than 30 state parks will host staff-led and self-guided hikes, snowshoe excursions, trail rides, polar plunges, scavenger hunts and more on New Year’s Day.
First Day Hikes are FREE and do not require a Discover Pass to park on State managed lands on January 1 (except for those parks that require a Sno-Park permit including Lake Easton State Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park and Mount Spokane State Park). Most hikes do require registration.
First Day Hikes events vary in difficulty, ranging from smooth, flat ADA-accessible trails to moderate hill climbs. A few parks will offer multiple hikes catering to different interests and abilities. Additionally, several hikes will include talks with rangers, which allow attendees to learn about the park’s history and natural features.
First Day Hikes experiences for visitors to check out include:
- A 2.5-mile trek on scenic trails and through historic structures at Fort Worden.
- A photo scavenger hunt at Palouse Falls, home to Washington’s official state waterfall.
- A cold-water plunge experience at Maryhill’s swim beach.
- A guided 2.5-mile snowshoe hike at Lake Wenatchee with limited free snowshoe rentals available.
- A 1.5-mile exploration of the lush, old-growth forest at South Whidbey.
- A self-guided ride with your horse and other riders along the well-maintained, equestrian-friendly trails of Bridle Trails.
- ADA-accessible hikes at Bridle Trails, Columbia Plateau Trail, Lake Sylvia, Palouse Falls, Seaquest and Wenatchee Confluence.
- And much more!
First Day Hikes is a national initiative that encourages everyone to embrace the outdoors as the new year begins. Last year, more than 1,700 participants hiked, biked and snowshoed 2,907.2 miles of trails in Washington’s state parks. While distances and rigor vary from park to park, all hikes are designed to be a fun experience for the entire family.
Most First Day Hikes require advanced registration, and group sizes may be limited. Select hikes will have snowshoes available for visitors to reserve. Visit the state park website to view activities and registration information.
New Year’s Day also marks the first Discover Pass free day of 2025 on state-managed lands. Visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park on state recreation lands. If you plan to participate in a First Day Hike at a park that becomes a Sno-Park during the winter (Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee and Mount Spokane), a Sno-Park permit is required.
Thank you to the Washington State Parks Foundation for supporting our 2025 First Day Hikes events.
MORE INFORMATION ON FREE PARKING DAYS
A Discover Pass is not required to park on state-managed lands for 12 days in 2025
The Washington State Discover Pass Program has designated 12 Discover Pass free days for 2025.
On these days, visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park a vehicle at a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
The 2025 Discover Pass free days are:
- Wed., Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day and First Day Hikes
- Mon., Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King Junior Day
- Sun., March 9 – Billy Frank Junior’s Birthday
- Wed., March 19 – State Parks’ 111th Birthday
- Tues., April 22 – Earth Day
- Sat., June 7 and Sun., June 8 – Free Fishing Weekend
- Thurs., June 19 – Juneteenth
- Sat., Aug. 9 – Smokey Bear’s Birthday
- Sat., Sept. 27 – National Public Lands Day
- Fri., Oct. 10 – World Mental Health Day
- Mon., Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
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