What better way to kick off the New Year than by getting a jump start burning off those extra holiday calories in the great outdoors?
First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. On New Year’s Day, hundreds of free, guided hikes will be organized in all 50 states. Kids and adults all across America will be participating in First Day Hikes, getting their hearts pumping and enjoying the beauty of a state park.
First Day Hikes are led by knowledgeable state park staff and volunteers. The distance and rigor vary from park to park, but all hikes aim to create a fun experience for the whole family. People are invited to savor the beauty of the state park’s natural resources with the comfort of an experienced guide so they may be inspired to take advantage of these local treasures throughout the year. Learn more about First Day Hikes across the country.
Make your plans to join us for one of the Alabama State Parks First Day Hikes:
Buck’s Pocket State Park
First Day Hike 2026: Kings Chapel Trail
January 1, 2026
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
$5 Per Participant
First Day Hike 2026: South Sauty Trail | Alabama State Parks
Cathedral Caverns State Park
First Day Hike
Jan. 1, 2026
9:30 am – 11:00 am
$5.00 per participant
https://reserve.alapark.com/register/first-day-hike-ccsp-2026
Cheaha State Park
First Day Sunset Hike
January 1, 2026
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Adult Admission - $5.00
Child Admission - $2.00
Senior Admission - $2.00
Overnight Guest – Free
First Day Sunset Hike | Alabama State Parks
Cheaha State Park
First Day Hike for All!
January 1, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Adult Admission - $5.00
Child Admission - $2.00
Senior Admission - $2.00
Overnight Guest – Free
First Day Hike for All! | Alabama State Parks
Chewacla State Park
First Day Hike to Chewacla Falls
Jan. 1, 2026
9:00 am-10:30 am
Adult Admission - $5.00
Child Admission - $3.00
Senior Admission - $3.00
Overnight Guest – Free
https://reserve.alapark.com/register/first-day--chewacla-falls
Chewacla State Park
First Day Hike to Hidden Falls
Jan. 1, 2026
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Adult Admission - $5.00
Child Admission - $3.00
Senior Admission - $3.00
Overnight Guest – Free
https://reserve.alapark.com/register/first-day-hike-to-hidden-falls
DeSoto State Park
New Year's Day-2026- DeSoto State Park Waterfall Hike
January 1, 2026
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Free
New Year's Day-2026- DeSoto State Park Waterfall Hike | Alabama State Parks
DeSoto State Park
New Year's Day-2026- Adventure Hike to DeSoto Falls Basin
January 1, 2026
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Free
New Year's Day-2026- Adventure Hike to DeSoto Falls Basin | Alabama State Parks
Gulf State Park
Annual First Day Hike 2026
Jan. 1, 2026
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Orange Beach Sportsplex
Free
https://reserve.alapark.com/register/annual-first-day-hike-2026
Joe Wheeler State Park
First Day Hike
Jan. 1, 2026
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
$5.00 per participant
https://reserve.alapark.com/register/first-day-hike-2026
Lake Guntersville State Park
First Day Hike 2026: Benny Bobo Accessible Trail
January 1, 2026
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
$5 Per Participant
First Day Hike 2026: Benny Bobo Accessible Trail | Alabama State Parks
Lake Guntersville State Park
First Day Hike 2026: Kings Chapel Trail
January 1, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
$5.00 Per Participant
First Day Hike 2026: Kings Chapel Trail | Alabama State Parks
Lakepoint State Park
First Day Hike
Jan. 1, 2026
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Free
https://reserve.alapark.com/register/first-day-hike
Meaher State Park
First Day Hike: Sunset on the Delta
Jan. 1, 2026
4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Campground guest – Free
Children 12 & under – Free
Adult (not Campground guest) - $3.00
https://reserve.alapark.com/register/first-day-hike--sunset-on-the-delta
Monte Sano State Park
First Day Hike
Jan. 1, 2026
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Adult Admission - $5.00
Child Admission - $2.00
Senior Admission - $2.00
Overnight Guest – Free
https://reserve.alapark.com/register/first-day-hike-2026-
Oak Mountain State Park
First Day Hike 2026: Sunrise at King’s Chair Overlook
January 1, 2026
5:00 am – 7:00 am
Adult Admission - $5.00
Child Admission - $2.00
Senior Admission - $2.00
Overnight Guest – Free
First Day Hike 2026: Sunrise at King's Chair Overlook | Alabama State Parks
Rickwood Caverns State Park
First Day Hike
Jan. 1, 2026
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
$5.00 per participant
https://reserve.alapark.com/register/first-day-hike-2026-rcsp
Wind Creek State Park
First Day Hike!
January 1, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00PM
Adult Admission - $5.00
Child Admission - $2.00
Senior Admission - $2.00
https://alapark.itinio.com/register/first-day-hike-wcsp
