Start 2026 on the right foot with a First Day Hike…

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC 19, 2025 - Jan. 1 will ring in America's semiquincentennial and signal the annual First Day Hikes. The America's State Parks organization invites you to join in on one or more of the 1,000 plus events taking place at state parks.

Many of Missouri's state parks and historic sites will hold traditional First Day Hikes , which are open to all visitors. Events scheduled throughout Missouri's state park system offer various trail lengths, difficulty levels and time of day. Find a hike near you or plan a cabin, camping or yurt retreat at a state park to extend your First Day Hike experience.

"State parks across the country protect and provide access to the landscapes, stories and places that create the fabric of our country," said America's State Parks President Paul McCormack. "As our country starts to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, we invite you to start your year on a First Day Hike enjoying and celebrating our incredible public lands."

Visit mostateparks.com/FirstDayHikes to find a First Day Hike offering that suits you - whether you're looking to start a new family tradition, find an accessible trail or get a head start on your New Year's resolution.

First Day Hikes began more than three decades ago, at Blue Hills Reservation in Massachusetts in 1992. Since 2012, all 50 states have participated. America's State Parks hopes to make 2026 a record-breaking year as the annual event approaches major milestones, including inching closer to 1 million miles hiked and 500,000 participants in the program's history.

The following hikes are planned for Jan. 1 at Missouri's state parks and historic sites:

• Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, 800 Guy Park Dr., Wildwood.
  Take a hike on the moderately difficult Hawthorn Trail. This hike along both sides of a narrow ridge allows hikers to see distinct changes in plants and habitats. Meet at the trailhead near the Alta Picnic Shelter at 10 a.m. for this 1.2-mile hike.
  
• Bennett Spring State Park, 26250 Highway 64A, Lebanon.
  Meet the team at 1 p.m. at the Savanna Ridge Trail trailhead to embark on this moderate 2.5-mile hike. Participants will see a chert woodland that is unique to the area, as well as discuss the importance of prescribed fire.
  
• Big Sugar Creek State Park, 6727 Big Sugar Creek Road, Pineville.
  Celebrate the new year with a 3.4-mile hike on Ozark Chinquapin Trail starting at 10 a.m. The trail is known to have water at several creek crossings during wet weather, so waterproof boots are strongly recommended. Hikers should expect steep terrain as well.
  
• Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site, 7850 N. State Hwy. V, Ash Grove.
  A 2.5-mile hike starts at 10 a.m. at the picnic shelter and will cover portions of all three of the site's hiking trails. Participants will hike through a once-thriving 19th century homestead and learn about its history and the surrounding area.
  
• Bryant Creek State Park, 1204 Private Drive 3422, 24 miles southeast of Ava.
  Hikers should meet at the trailhead at noon for a 3.25-mile hike on the Pine Hollow Trail. This trail is a rugged natural-surface trail of easy to moderate difficulty. The hike begins at the park's main trailhead.
  
• Crowder State Park,76 NW Highway 128, Trenton.
  Beginning at 2 p.m. at the Shelter 3 parking lot, hikers will cover 3.2 miles on the Tall Oaks Trail. This trail traverses a variety of habitats that offer opportunities to see a variety of wildlife.
  
• Cuivre River State Park,678 State Route 147, Troy.
  Start the new year with a 0.6-mile hike on gravel roads for a guided tour of historic Camp Sherwood. Meet at the park's visitor center at 1 p.m. for hot chocolate and restroom breaks before driving up to Camp Sherwood at 1:30 p.m.
  
• First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site and Katy Trail State Park, 1050 S. Riverside Dr., St. Charles.
  This guided hike will take participants along the iconic Katy Trail, down St. Charles' historic Main Street, and through Missouri's first Capitol. Staff will provide a tour as participants take in views of the Missouri River and downtown St. Charles from the Katy Trail and Frontier Park, and discuss the history leading up to Missouri's struggle for statehood. The hike covers about 2 miles and starts at 10 a.m. at the St. Charles Veterans Memorial near the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum at the address listed.
  
• Hawn State Park, 12096 Park Dr., Ste. Genevieve.
  Starting at 1 p.m.., hikers will gather at the Spanish Land Grant Trailhead, 1 mile from Highway 144 on Hawn Park Road for this 3.8-mile hike.
  
• Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, 100 Jefferson St., Jefferson City.
  Join the team at 1 p.m. for an urban exploration around Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, the Missouri State Capitol Complex and Jefferson City Parks' Deborah Cooper Park on Adrian's Island. This hike covers 1.5 miles, including the Bicentennial Bridge.
  
• Knob Noster State Park, 873 SE 10, Knob Noster.
  Join us on the Spirit Trail. This hike begins at 1 p.m. at the Clearfork Shelter and covers approximately 1 mile.
  
• Lake of the Ozarks State Park, 403 Highway 134, Brumley.
  Starting at noon, hikers should meet at the Hidden Springs Trailhead (GPS coordinates: 38.08376, -92.56347) for a 2.5-mile hike exploring native Missouri woodlands to bluff tops above Lake of the Ozarks.
  
• Mastodon State Historic Site, 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive, Imperial.
  The team is offering two guided hikes at the site so everyone can start 2026 in their own way. Both hikes start at 10 a.m. with the Limestone Hill Trail covering 2 miles and meeting at the museum parking lot. A shorter, 0.8-mile hike will follow the Spring Branch Trail with participants meeting at the Spring Branch Trail trailhead (GPS coordinates: 38.38034, 90.39489).
  
• Meramec State Park, 115 Meramec Dr., Sullivan.
  For a 2.5-mile hike, meet at noon at the Visitor Center to use the restrooms and then drive to Fireside Store parking lot. This is a moderately difficult hike, using Bluff View Trail, White Connector 1 and River Trail.
  
• Missouri Mines State Historic Site, 4000 State Highway 32, Park Hills.
  This easy 1-mile hike starts at 9 a.m. and includes interpretation of old mining structures and equipment, as well as the area's development over time.
  
• Onondaga Cave State Park, 7556 Highway H, Leasburg.
  Join the park team as they hike the moderately difficult 1.3-mile Vilander Bluff Trail. Participants should meet at the Vilander Bluff Trail trailhead, located along Thickety Ford Road, north of Highway N, near Bourbon. (GPS coordinates are 38.09788, -91.13083).
  
• Roaring River State Park, 12716 Farm Road 2239, Cassville.
  Starting at 10 a.m., the park team will lead a rugged 1.5-mile hike on Devil's Kitchen Trail. There you'll start by hiking up to the limestone bluff, where you'll have the chance to explore a small cave. Then participants will climb above the limestone bluff into chert woodlands and round out the hike with a view of the Devil's Kitchen rock feature. Meet at the lower level of the CCC Lodge (GPS coordinates: 36.590278, -93.834167).
  
• Robertsville State Park, 902 State Park Dr., Robertsville.
  Participants will depart from the Lost Hill Trail trailhead in the campground at 10 a.m. to hike the 2.6-mile Lost Hill Trail. During the hike, the guide will discuss the park's burn unit and the importance of prescribed fire, along with the old oxbow slough of Calvey Creek.
  
• Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, 5901 S. Highway 163, Columbia.
  Several options are available here. First is the 1.75-mile hike along Devil's Icebox Trail. This hike will be interspersed with stops to learn about the history and geology of the area. It will go up one long gradual hill on the dirt and gravel terrain of Sinkhole Trail, through the woods and then use the boardwalk steps of Devil's Icebox Trail. This hike is not stroller accessible and is not recommended for children under 4 years. Meet at the Devil's Icebox parking lot at 9:30 a.m. This same hike will be repeated at 12:30 p.m.

  The Gans Creek Wild Area hike will begin at the Wagon Wheel Trailhead at noon. Participants will learn about local 1800s history during this 2.5-mile scenic hike. This moderately difficult hike will go off-trail through open woods for about half a mile. Participants will enjoy vistas from a 100-foot-high bluff overlooking Gans Creek and from a shelter cave halfway up on a bluff.

  The Deer Run Trail hike is a hilly 3.75-mile hike beginning at noon and passing through an oak-hickory woodland and alongside Little Bonne Femme Creek for about half a mile.

  Starting at 2:30 p.m., the bird-watching on Grassland Trail hike will provide views of a restored prairie, open sky and sinkholes. Members of the Columbia Audubon Society will lead this leisurely 2-mile hike. This hike is for ages 8 and up, and it is recommended to leave your pets at home. Meet at the Grassland Trail trailhead. Parking is available at the trailhead and along Rock Bridge Lane, a wide gravel road leading to the trailhead parking lot.
  

• Rock Island Trail State Park, Owensville.
  Celebrate the new year with a guided hike on the newly opened section of the Rock Island Trail in Owensville. This easy 2-mile hike starts at the trailhead near the city hall building at 11 a.m.
  
• St. Francois State Park, 8920 US Highway 67N, Bonne Terre.
  Come out to St. Francois State Park for a First Day Walk in the Big River Day-Use Area. This easy walk consists of a 1.1-mile paved loop and begins at 10:30 a.m. Participants should mee at Shelter 2 (GPS coordinates 37.957917, -90.540517.)

  If you're looking for something more challenging, come out to hike on Swimming Deer Trail. This moderately difficult trail travels along the river bottom, along bluffs overlooking the Big River and through the woods. This 3.15-mile hike begins at 1 p.m. and starts at the trailhead in the campground (GPS coordinates 37.955720, -90.532820)
  

• St. Joe State Park, 2800 Pimville Road, Park Hills.
  Starting at Shelter 6 at Monsanto Lake, hikers will meet at 1 p.m. to cover 1.25 miles on Lakeview Trail.
  
• Stockton State Park, 19100 S. Hwy. 215, Dadeville.
  Hike the North Loop of Sortor's Bluff Trail for a 3.3-mile hike in one of the property's most remote locations, offering great views of the lake and plenty of chances to experience local wildlife. Meet at Sortor's Bluff Trail trailhead off County Road 1801 at 9 a.m. (GPS coordinates are 37.59610, -93.75000).
  
• Table Rock State Park, 5272 State Highway 165, Branson.
  At noon, hikers will begin at the Lakeshore Trail Trailhead at State Park Marina to hike 2 miles. Participants will have good views of the lake on the lower side and of 200-plus-year-old oaks on the upper side.
  
• Thousand Hills State Park, 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville.
  Meet at 10 a.m. at the trailhead by the lake for this leisurely 2-mile Red Bud Trail hike.
  
• Harry S Truman State Park, 28761 State Park Road W, Warsaw.
  This moderately challenging guided hike will take place on 1000th Mile Trail, covering a distance of 1 mile. This stretch of trail is significant because it was the 1000th miles of trail installed in Missouri's state park system. Meet at the 1000th Mile Trail trailhead at 1 p.m. (GPS coordinates are 38.27238, -93.44320).
  
• Wakonda State Park, 32836 State Park Road, La Grange.
  Join Ranger Drake Fohey as he leads two hikes. For a shorter hike, meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Jasper Lake Trail parking area for a 1.9-mile hike. This hike is considered moderately difficult and hikers may see a variety of birds including eastern bluebirds, Baltimore orioles and numerous waterfowl.

  If you're looking for something longer, join him on the 3.4-mile hike on Agate Lake Trail. This moderately difficult hike takes participants on a natural-surface trail that loops around Agate Lake and shares a section with Jasper Lake Trail. Meet at 2 p.m. at the Agate Lake Trail parking area (GPS coordinates 40.0059510, -91.5111898).

Preregistration is required for all hikes as some have a maximum number of hikers who can be accommodated. To register, visit icampmo1.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/ and search for activities.

For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Share your Jan. 1 hiking story on social media with #FirstDayHikes.