First Day Hikes at state parks Jan. 1

ByIdyllwild Town Crier

California State Parks welcomes the public to start 2024 in a healthy way and to enjoy the fresh air with the annual First Day Hikes Monday, Jan. 1. Currently, more than 60 state parks will be participating, including Mt. San Jacinto State Park, with more than 70 guided hikes taking place across the state.

First Day Hikes is a national-led effort that encourages individuals and families to experience, with a seasoned guide, the natural and cultural resources found in the outdoors and in doing so may inspire them to take advantage of these treasures throughout the year and an individual’s lifetime.

Distance and difficulty will vary per hike or activity. Visitors are encouraged to check out details of start times and description of hikes. This year’s First Day Hikes webpage — parks.ca.gov/FirstDayHikes2024 — is more interactive, as the public can search a map of locations by park name, county and region. Visitors also are able to see the status of the hike and the last time it was updated, and by zooming into the map, they can find hikes taking place near that region of the map.

Also, the webpage provides information on new hiking opportunities around the holiday. For example, Carpinteria State Beach will offer a hike the morning of Saturday, Dec. 30, and La Purísima Mission State Historic Park will have a Last Day Hike of the year the morning of Sunday, Dec. 31.

Most parks require a parking fee for the hikes. However, if visitors have checked out the State Library Parks Pass or have qualified for the Golden Bear Pass, they can enter for free at participating parks. Also, parents of fourth graders are invited to download the California State Park Adventure Pass that allows free entrance to visit park units like Millerton Lake State Recreation Area or Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Learn more about these free passes at parks.ca.gov/OutdoorsForAll.

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