2024 Maryland First Day Hikes

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released an invitation to the public to participate in the 2024 Maryland First Day Hike.

Maryland State Parks will be offering First Weekend hike opportunities across the state from December 31, 2023 – January 2, 2024.

First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages all 50 states to offer outdoor hiking opportunities to kick off the year.

For 2024, Maryland State Parks will offer more than 60 hikes across 40 state parks. As in previous years, there are two types of hikes available:

Ranger-led hikes: These hikes are accompanied and include interpretation by one or more Park Rangers, have specific start times, and often require advance registration. 

Self-guided hikes: These hikes will be available throughout the weekend, on well marked trails. Park staff and volunteers may be available to help hikers get started but will not join them on the trail.

With nearly 50 ranger-led hikes and 15 self-guided hike options through the weekend, there is a wide variety of outdoor adventures and experiences for every level of hiker and walker throughout Maryland. 

2024 First Day Hike Highlights:

In Western Maryland, hikers can join a ranger-led First Day “Fitness Hike” at Rocky Gap State Park, for those looking to break a sweat to kick off the New Year, a ranger-led guided “First Day Hike through History” at South Mountain Battlefield State Park, and a  “Little Naturalist First Day Hike”, an easy 1-mile hike for children and their families, at New Germany State Park. 

In Central Maryland, the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail will offer bicyclists a guided “First Day Bike” ride; hikers have a choice of either an early morning First Day Sunrise Hike or First Day Sunset Hike at North Point State Park, and a “Last Day Hike” or “Kids Countdown Hike” on New Year’s Eve at Patapsco Valley State Park. 

In Southern Maryland, hikers can bring their four-legged friends on a “Trails and Tails” ranger-led First Day Hike at Calvert Cliffs State Park, join the guided “Where One Goes Pleasantly” First Day Hike along Mattawoman Creek at Smallwood State Park; or kick off the year with a “First Day the Rosaryville Way” hike at Rosaryville State Park.

On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, hikers can bring their binoculars for a guided “First Day Bird Walk” or bring their own horse for a “New Year’s Day Ride” at Tuckahoe State Park, a “First Sunset Hike” at Janes Island State Park, a “First Day Family Hike” along the beach at Assateague State Park. “I Hiked” stickers will be available at select locations while supplies last. 

In addition to scheduled hikes, all Maryland’s state parks, state forests, and wildlife management areas will be open to all. Hikers should check the DNR website for information about public lands near them.

After taking part in a First Day Hike or visiting a state park, hikers are asked to complete an online survey to track their hikes and how many miles they covered.​ 

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

**2024 UPDATE**

A total of 4,248 people hiked about 10,691 miles during First Day Hikes in 40 different Maryland state parks on New Year’s weekend, according to Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 

Between Dec. 31, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024, park rangers led 47 scheduled hikes and other programs with an additional 15 self-guided opportunities that were available on state public lands across Maryland.

Related Information

Things To Do in Maryland

Economic Impacts of Maryland State Parks

2021 Maryland First Day Hikes

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released an invitation to the public to try a First Day Hike in Maryland.

First Day hikes are held annually in U.S. state parks to welcome the New Year.

This year, the Maryland Park Service will offer self-guided hike opportunities across the state from January 1-3, 2021. Trails will be open in Maryland state parks, state forests, and wildlife management areas.

This year, due to the pandemic and physical distancing guidance, hikes will be self-guided and park staff will not be leading the hikes.

First Day hikes in Maryland provide a variety of outdoor adventures and experiences for every level of hiker and walker.

Among those planning a hike will be Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio and Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford, continuing his commitment to visiting all Maryland state parks and other public lands by the time he leaves office. Lt. Governor Rutherford and the secretary kicked off 2020 with a hike at Patuxent River State Park.

“First Day Hikes are a wonderful tradition; they start the year off on the right foot with fresh air, exercise, and the appreciation and enjoyment of Maryland’s beautiful state parks and public lands,” said Lt. Governor Rutherford. “With all the challenges of the past year, participating in a socially-distant, self-guided First Day Hike and enjoying quality time outdoors is the perfect way to welcome 2021.”

On New Year’s Day 2020, a record 5,000 hikers logged more than 10,000 miles on trails in parks and public lands all across Maryland.

Maryland DNR urges hikers to 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. DNR states that anyone who is sick or has been sick over the past two weeks should stay home to recuperate.

After completing a 2021 First Day hike, hikers are asked to complete an online survey to track their hikes and how many miles they covered.​

First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide event sponsored by America’s State Parks.

UPDATE:

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources estimates that 16,237 visitors took part in First Day Hikes in Maryland State Parks during the three-day period from January 1-3, 2021.

Because there were no scheduled, staff-led hikes this year, State Parks were not able to calculate total miles hiked. A new DNR online survey indicated that 279 people voluntarily logged 966.5 miles.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Related Information

Things To Do in Maryland

Economic Impacts of Maryland State Parks

C and O Canal Big Slackwater Towpath Restoration

For the 2013 outdoor season, hikers, bikers, and other enthusiasts will finally have access to the entire Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath.

The Big Slackwater section of the 184.5-mile hiking and biking trail was closed after flooding in 1996. The stretch along the Potomac River near Williamsport had been the only disruption of the famous towpath from Cumberland, Md., to Washington, D.C.

Prior to the completion of restoration work, towpath visitors had to detour off the trail and onto a dangerous route with no shoulders following 4.5 miles along Dam 4, Dellinger and Avis Mill roads.

The Big Slackwater project was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as a Line Item Construction (LIC) project.

Historically, the Big Slackwater portion of the C & O Canal allowed barge traffic to move up and down the river proper in the slack water above Dam Number 4. 

source: C&O Canal Association

Maryland First Day Hikes

The Maryland Park Service will sponsor guided hikes in 19 State Parks on New Year’s Day 2013 as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes.

The nationwide program offers participants an opportunity to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.

First Day Hikes in Maryland are family-friendly, easy to moderate, guided hikes led by Maryland State Park staff and volunteers.

Among the locations for First Day Hikes are:

 - Cunningham Falls, the longest cascading waterfall in Maryland
 - historic Turkey Point Lighthouse at Elk Neck State Park

 - Pocomoke River State Park on the Eastern Shore

 - Orange Trail at Cedarville State Forest

For a complete list of First Day Hikes in Maryland, including locations, difficulty, length and specific starting times, visit dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/firstdayhikes.asp

source: MD DNR

Swan Harbor Farm Recreational Area in Havre De Grace

A new recreation area in Havre de Grace is now complete, providing access for walking and other outdoor recreation. The project used sediment dredged from nearby boating channels to construct a pond and scenic path. The project was a partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boating Services and the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation.

The park provided a much needed home for sediment that filled the Havre de Grace Yacht Basin after flooding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee forced officials to open the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna in the fall of 2011.

The area features an ADA-accessible, pedestrian walkway with scenic views of the surrounding area and a 20-foot by 20-foot timber observation platform.   Dikes and tree buffers were added to improve the health of local waters and the Chesapeake Bay. Approximately 14,800 square feet has been planted to include 37 large trees and 74 understory trees. According to DNR, the dredge site will become a pond and serve as home to a v-ariety of local wildlife.

The project has the capability to hold 100,000 cubic yards of dredged material from the Havre de Grace Yacht Basin. Cells inside the dike will slow water flow and allow the silt to settle out before the water reaches Swan Creek. From there, there are a series of small pools with check dams made of porous rock material to help filter the water.

The landscape features are required by the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission. DNR and the Harford County Parks and Recreation worked with the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission to ensure that the facility meets environmental requirements. The park is located at 401 Oakington Road in Havre de Grace.

source: MD DNR