The Department of Environmental Protection has announced that residents have the opportunity to kick off the New Year with a guided “First Day Hike” in one of New Jersey’s many state parks, forests, and historic sites on January 1.

The New Jersey State Park Service is offering a record number of at least 40 hikes throughout the state, ranging in difficulty levels from beginner to advanced. You can visit nj.gov for the most recent updates on each of the scheduled free First Day Hikes being offered this Sunday.

“First Day Hikes are the perfect opportunity to get outside, recharge and connect with nature in one of New Jersey’s state parks, forests or historic sites,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “Not only will you get fresh air and exercise, but you will make memories exploring New Jersey’s incredible natural and historic resources.”

New Jersey offered 28 hikes in 2022 where more than 248 hikers traveled 952 miles on First Day Hikes throughout New Jersey’s vast network of trails.

  • January 1, 2023- First Day Hikes In New Jersey

  • High Point State Park (Sussex, NJ)

    Sixth Annual High Point “First Day Challenge” Hike

    First Day Challenge Hike

    Fitness event in Montague, NJ by High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans' Memorial and 2 others on Sunday, January 1 2023 with 843 people interested and 93 people going. 24 posts in the discussion.

  • Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail (Newton, NJ)

    38th Annual New Year’s Day Hike

    Registration is required by emailing [email protected] or through Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail Committee Meetup page.

    Paulinskill Valley Trail

    Paulinskill Valley Trail spans 27.1 from Sparta Junction, 0.6 mile southeast of Sunset Inn Rd & Limecrest Randazzo Rd (Sparta Township) to Brugler Rd, 0.2 mile north of Warrington Rd (Knowlton Township). View amenities, descriptions, reviews, photos, itineraries, and directions on TrailLink.

  • NJ Botanical Garden in Ringwood State Park (Ringwood, NJ)

    First Day Hike

    Registration is not required.

    New Jersey Botanical Garden

    This is a caption Via I-287 (North or South) Follow I-287 North or South and exit at Exit 57.After exiting, turn left from I-287 North, or right from I-287 South, following signs for Skyline ... [Read More...] about Directions

     

  • Warren-Highlands Trail (Phillipsburg, NJ)

    15-mile full-day hike along the Warren Highlands Trail!

    Registration is required. Email your name, phone number, email address, and number of people in your group to [email protected].

    Warren Highlands Trail - Warren County, NJ Parks

    The Warren Highlands Trail highlights the natural, scenic, and cultural beauty of Warren County, New Jersey, which is nestled within the majestic Highlands Region.

     

  • Wawayanda State Park (Hewitt, NJ)

    Red Dot Trail – First Day Hike

    Registration helpful but not required. You may call Wawayanda park office at (973)-853-4462.

    NJDEP | Wawayanda State Park | New Jersey State Park Service

    NJDEP - Wawayanda State Park administered by the New Jersey State Park Service

  • Allaire State Park (Farmingdale, NJ)

    First Day Nature Hike

    Registration is not required. For more information you can call Allaire State Park Office at 732-938-2371.

    NJDEP | Allaire State Park | New Jersey State Park Service

    NJDEP - Allaire State Park administered by the New Jersey State Park Service

  • Allaire State Park (Farmingdale, NJ)

    Historic Allaire Village Walk

    Registration is required. Please e-mail [email protected] with your name and number of people in your party.

    Home Page

    Experience 19th Century Industrial Community Life Year-Round! Craft Shops, Historic Homes, and Retail Stores. School Tours, Summer Camp Tours, Scout Tours, Specialty Tours & MORE! The Historic Village at Allaire was once an iron-producing, factory-town known as the Howell Iron Works, Co.

  • Boxwood Hall Historic Site (Elizabeth, NJ)

    Explore 300+ yeas of history in Elizabeth, NJ—oldest English settlement in the State and still developing!

    Registration is required. Call: 908-282-7617 or e-mail [email protected].

    NJDEP | Boxwood Hall Historic Site | New Jersey State Park Service

    NJDEP - Boxwood Hall Historic Site administered by the New Jersey State Park Service

  • Cheesequake State Park (Old Bridge, NJ)

    2023 First Day Hike At Cheesequake State Park

    Registration is NOT required. For more information, call 732-566-3208.

    NJDEP | Cheesequake State Park | New Jersey State Park Service

    NJDEP - Cheesequake State Park administered by the New Jersey State Park Service

     

  • D&R Canal State Park (Trenton, NJ)

    Downtown Trenton Battle Monument Loop

    Registration is required. Please email [email protected] and provide your name, the number of people you are registering, and the best way to reach you the day of if the hike needs to be canceled due to weather.

    Home - D & R Canal

    D & R Canal State Park

  • D&R Canal / Mapleton Preserve (Princeton, NJ)

    Princeton Nursery Lands First Day Hike

    No registration needed and visit the ww.fpnl.org website and/or call 609-683-0483 for cancellation information.

    FPNL.ORG

    Free baby trees for all while supplies last. Pre-registration is requested at PRE-REGISTER or 609-683-0483 to ensure enough supplies for all. Be prepared. Wear old clothes and sturdy shoes or boots that you don't mind getting dirty or muddy. Gloves will be provided, but we could use shovels for planting the tree and the native plants.

  • D&R Canal State Park (Stockton, NJ)

    New Years Day Hike At White Oak Trail

    Registration is required, please email [email protected]

    Home - D & R Canal

    D & R Canal State Park

  • D&R Canal State Park Towpath Trail (Hamilton Township, NJ)

    Starting 2023 On The Right Foot

    Register at FirstDayHike.Eventbrite. Please email [email protected] for further questions.

    Explore Our Trails - D & R Canal

    The historic towpath along the main canal from Bakers Basin Road (Trenton) to New Brunswick has a natural surface for hiking, jogging, horseback riding, and biking. From Mulberry Street to Bakers Basin Road, the trail is crushed stone. Horse trailers may be parked in some of the parking areas located along the main canal.

     

     

  • Island Beach State Park (Seaside Park, NJ)

    First Day Hike 2023

    Ring in the New Year at beautiful Island Beach State Park! Join the Friends of IBSP for a scenic walk down the beach. Walk is approximately 1 mile out and back, but feel free to turn back at anytime. Winter is a great time to experience the natural beauty of the IBSP!

  • Monmouth Battlefield State Park (Manalapan, NJ)

    Perrine Hill And Sutfin Farm Hiking Tour

    Registration is not required. For more information, please call the park office at 732-462-9616.

    NJDEP | Monmouth Battlefield State Park | New Jersey State Park Service

    NJDEP - Monmouth Battlefield State Park administered by the New Jersey State Park Service

  • Click below to view the official list of first day hikes:

    1

    NJDEP - January 1, 2024 in New Jersey's state parks and forests

  • Check out the NJ State Parks FB Page for the most recent updates:

    💪 Who is ready to start 2023 off on the right foot by visiting a state park, forest or historic site on January 1 for a...

    Posted by New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites on Wednesday, December 28, 2022
  • Are you looking to hike on your own? Check out the top 10 hikes in NJ for 2022!

    Top 10 Hikes in NJ | njHiking.com

    The top 10 most popular hikes in New Jersey, ranked by visitor traffic to njHiking.com.

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