By: Christian Campbell, Digital Media Coordinator at Delaware State Parks

Every year on January 1, Delaware State Parks hosts free First Day Hikes across the state! These guided hikes encourage people to start the new year with an outdoor adventure. First Day Hikes is a national initiative started by America’s State Parks, and all 50 states offer guided hikes on the first day of the year. This year, Delaware State Parks held a record-breaking day with over 2,100 people and over 4,000 miles hiked. These numbers are almost doubled from last year’s First Day Hikes!

Delaware 2020 First Day Hikes by the Numbers:

Hikes: 20

People: 2,189

Pets: 62

Miles: 34.4

Total miles hiked: 4,0001

 

These hikes ranged in level of difficulty and trail length. At each First Day Hike location, guests learned about the history of the park, witnessed beautiful scenery, and enjoyed the company of other hikers.

Here’s a look at our 2020 First Day Hikes!

Auburn Valley State Park: Oversee Farm Trail

Hikers explore one of the park’s most beautiful hidden trails and saw a historic 19th century stone farmhouse. Thanks to volunteer photographer Becca Mathias for photographing this hike!

 

Bellevue State Park: Delaware Greenway Trail

Visitors to Bellevue State Park hiked around the pond and the fitness trail!

 

Brandywine Creek State Park: Hidden Pond Trail

On this hike, visitors walked through the woods to see birds, meadows, nature preserve, and the Brandywine River. Thanks to volunteer photographer Brandon Hirt for photographing this hike!

 

Brandywine Zoo

For First Day Hikes, staff at the Brandywine Zoo led a guided tour through the zoo and shared their knowledge about the animals.

 

Cape Henlopen State Park: The Point and the Pinelands Trail

Cape Henlopen hosted two hikes, and over 600 people came! At Fort Miles, hikers walked the Pinelands Trail to uncover some of Cape Henlopen’s history. At The Point, visitors experienced both the ocean and bay sides of the park. Thanks to volunteer photographer Todd Yates for photographing the Pinelands Trail hike!

First State Heritage Park: Stories of The Green Walking Tour

Hikers joined a costumed interpreter at the John Bell House in downtown Dover to explore the history of Delaware’s capital city. Thanks to volunteer photographer Keith Brodeur for photographing this hike!

Fort DuPont: Riverview Trail

On the Riverside Trail at historic Fort DuPont, hikers leaarned about the early 1900s era concrete artillery batteries that still exist on the site.

 

Holts Landing State Park: Sea Hawk Trail

Hikers learned about the history of this unique parks and its diversity of habitats. This trail is a great place to look for birds and search for wildlife in the meadow, forest, and fresh water ponds.

 

Killens Pond State Park: Pondside Nature Trail

On the Pondside Trail, hikers walked around the perimeter of the pond and enjoyed beautiful views of the water and forest. Thanks to volunteer photographer Deb Felmey for photographing this hike!

 

Lums Pond State Park: Swamp Forest Trail

The Swamp Forest Trail winds along the edge of the pond, and offers beautiful views of the water. Over 170 people hiked this trail for First Day Hikes!

Trap Pond State Park: American Holly and Bob Trail

Over 170 people hiked though the forests at Trap Pond State Park and enjoyed views of the baldcypress trees. Thanks to volunteer photographer James Bailey for photographing this hike!

 

White Clay Creek State Park

White Clay Creek State Park hosted three different hikes on January 1! Visitors hiked the Millstone Pond Trail, Arc Corner Monument Loop, or the PennDel/Pomeroy Trail. Thanks to volunteer photographer Becky Ashley for photographing this hike!

Thank you to everyone who chose to start the year with a First Day Hike! Most of the First Day Hike trails are open for hiking year-round, and you can find trail information on our website.

 

We hope you have a year full of adventures, and we look forward to more First Day Hikes in 2021!