My youngest (at age 2) walking down a trail at Guadalupe River State Park
New Year’s Eve gets a lot of attention for ringing in the new year. For families with young kids, staying up until midnight is not always an option! Thankfully, there are lots of local and family friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations that happen during the day, not just late into the evening! You can find our round-up here: Ring in 2024: Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Events in San Antonio
But what about New Year’s Day? First Day Hike is a tradition that takes place on January 1st to start the New Year off on the right foot (or left!) with a hike! Last year, approximately 55,000 people rang in the new year with a hike, walking an incredible 133,000 miles on January 1st! ^1
My family started participating in a First Day Hike in January 2021. In the height of the pandemic, we were looking for other ways to celebrate the New Year and stumbled upon First Day Hike! Going for walks, and exploring new trails and hiking options, was one of my favorite new adventures sparked by the pandemic. There is just something about being out in nature that is so healing and comforting for me, and for my kids too. Reconnecting to nature and disconnecting from [insert your least favorite commitment] for a few hours is absolutely one of my favorite things!
My husband walking with my kids through a “rougher” trail at Guadalupe River State Park
Your First Day Hike does not need to be an all day hiking event. It can be a small hike in your neighborhood for 15 minutes, or you can take a drive to explore a new State Park. There are no set rules. Just head outside and enjoy the nature around you in celebration of the New Year!
It’s good to note that many parks do have bathrooms, playgrounds, and accessible trails for those using strollers and mobility aids like wheelchairs.
We are very fortunate to have many city parks in the San Antonio area that are available to us for free. You can find your closest city park here, or explore the list to find a new one:
Texas is also home to so many State Parks, many of which are within 2 hours of San Antonio! Texas State Parks do require an admission fee, and some recommend advanced reservations. Many offer a yearly pass, too! Both the city and state parks offer guided hikes and other activities for the whole family throughout the year.
Here is a link for the events across the state of Texas with Texas Parks & Wildlife to celebrate First Day Hike! Be mindful that some activities do require pre-registration, so plan ahead.
We are fortunate that the weather in South Texas is mostly favorable for January hikes. Nonetheless, remembering a few cold weather tips for hiking – including wearing layers, a hat, gloves, and preparing for shorter daylight availability – will help you make the most of your experience. Some parks even offer stargazing and nighttime flashlight hikes in the winter time. Hiking around the golden hour, the hour or so before sunset, in wintertime is a really fantastic to enjoy the picturesque beauty around you – and be home by bedtime!
Golden hour photo at Guadalupe River State Park on our first First Day Hike!
A First Day Hike is also a great opportunity to invite friends and/or extended family to come together during the holidays! Hiking is a wonderful activity that is low cost, accessible for many, and enjoyable for most. Combining the excitement of, and hope for, the New Year with hiking may even inspire you to make new goals and adjust your mindset.
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