A First Day Hike is a Popular New Year’s Tradition
March 9, 2025 | Topics: Places, Stories
By Kris Gould
I kicked off 2025 the same way I have started many years recently – with a First Day Hike. I’m not sure how long I have been doing this, but it’s enough of a habit that on January 1, 2025 I didn’t consider doing anything else to celebrate the new year. I convinced some family, friends and one dog to go along as well.
We met at Lapham Peak where the Ice Age Trail Alliance was hosting the First Day Hike. The long line of cars at the entrance station was my first hint at how popular this hike was going to be. Fortunately I had purchased my annual pass online and could bypass the line. We assembled at the Trekker Lodge where a bonfire was already blazing. People were taking pictures with Monty the Mammoth and everyone was in a happy and hopeful mood to start the new year.
There were three hikes planned, a tike hike, a 2 miler, and a 3+ mile hike. I don’t know how many people officially attended, but there was a large crowd for every hiking distance. My friends, family and I opted for the 2 mile hike which included a bit of paved trail, some off-trail sections, and of course, the Ice Age Trail. The trail was not too slippery (I remember a previous year, when the trail was so slippery and icy that only those with micro-spikes could comfortably hike), and we all enjoyed the exercise and the invigoratingly cold air.
As we passed by the observation tower, some of our group opted to climb up and take in the view. And the view was spectacular on this first day of the new year. There had been some light snowfall the previous day – not enough to cover the ground, but just enough to make it pretty.
At the end of the hike, there was the warm fire to return to as well as hot chocolate and cookies to replenish all of those calories that we had burned off while hiking. (Possible new year’s resolution – every hike I do should conclude with hot chocolate and cookies.)
After the hike, I wondered about the origins of First Day Hikes. I know that the Wisconsin DNR and the Ice Age Trail Alliance had multiple hikes planned all over Wisconsin. But when and how did this idea start? Is it unique to Wisconsin? Or did it originate in some nordic country where they thrive throughout the cold dark winter?
I learned that the concept of the First Day Hike originated in Massachusetts at the Blue Hills Reservation state park in 1992. It was the idea of Patrick Flynn, the park supervisor. 380 people participated in the original First Day Hike. The idea gradually spread nationwide and became an official event promoted by the National Association of State Park Directors in 2012. In 2025 there were more than 1000 hikes planned around the country.
If you didn’t get outside for a First Day Hike, don’t worry, there’s still some winter left. Winter hiking can be very comfortable as long as you dress appropriately, and it’s a great way to stay active all year long. Bringing along hot chocolate in a thermos also helps. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for New Years Day 2026 for the next First Day Hike!
Related stories:
Photo essay: Two First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day 2025!
The first day of 2024 brings multitudes out to the parks!
New Year’s Day at Lapham Peak (2020)
Kris Gould is a writer and conservation photographer based in Wisconsin.