Begin 2026 on the Right Foot with California State Parks’ First Day Hikes
Contact: Newsroom@parks.ca.gov
Photos from 2025 First Day Hikes: Top left/right: Malibu Creek State Park and Millerton Lake State Recreation Area.
Bottom left/right: Humboldt Redwoods and Red Rock Canyon state parks.
What you need to know: Celebrate the new year by participating in one of more than 80 guided hikes at over 60 state parks across the largest state park system in the nation!
Step into 2026 on the right foot and on the right trail! California State Parks is inviting outdoor enthusiasts to bring their family and friends to the annual First Day Hikes on Thursday, Jan. 1, to embrace a healthy start and breath in fresh air. As the Golden State continues to celebrate its 175th anniversary of statehood, State Parks is offering over 80 guided hikes at more than 60 of California’s more diverse and iconic parks in the nation.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker or trying out something new, First Day Hikes offer something for everyone, encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle and an appreciation for nature. Participants can expect scenic views and make new connections as they hike in the mountains or take a stroll through an urban park. The hikes offer varying trail options to accommodate all fitness levels, from leisurely walks to more challenging treks, ensuring everyone can participate.
A Perfect Start for Nature Lovers
The First Day Hikes interactive webpage (parks.ca.gov/FirstDayHikes) lets you easily search for hikes by park name, region or by clicking directly on the map. Be sure to check the website for any additional hikes or cancellations. The webpage provides information on new hiking opportunities around New Year’s Day. For example, La Purísima Mission State Historic Park is offering a “Last Day Hike” on Dec. 31, exploring the flora and fauna of the unique Burton Mesa ecosystem, and also the history and culture of the area.
New this year is the first ever “polar bear plunge” at Cardiff State Beach, where participants will have an opportunity to submerge in the cold ocean water. Participants can also enjoy a guided Auto Safari to view a heard of tule elk, an endemic California subspecies of elk, at the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve. If fungi are your thing, Van Damme State Park (SP) is offering a hike with a mycologist who will help identify mushrooms along the hike.
Featured Hikes and More on Jan. 1:
- Dos Rios: California’s newest state park is offering two guided hikes where participants can learn about future park amenities. As you hike, hear from staff and partners discuss what it takes to plan a new state park and how your voice can be heard. Coffee and pan dulce will be provided.
- Malibu Creek SP: This 2-mile hike begins at the main trailhead and ends at the park’s visitor center, where a docent will explore the rich human history of this landscape, from the Indigenous people of ta’lopop, to Spanish explorers, early homesteaders, and the directors and actors who worked there during the 20th Century Fox studio era.
- Mendocino Headlands SP: Join one of State Parks’ lifeguards for this guided hike that begins at the Ford house to learn a short history of Mendocino's logging industry. Then, head out to see historic artifacts and learn about the Mendocino headlands and the Pacific Ocean.
- Mount San Jacinto SP: Start the snowshoe hike on the mountain at over 8,500 feet above sea level. The 1.5-mile snowshoe hike is moderately challenging on rocky, snowy and icy terrain. Make sure to visit the Aerial Tramway to purchase a ticket.
- Sugarloaf Ridge SP: This 5.25- to 6.5-mile trek to Bald Mountain includes a climb of over 1,500 feet and features fantastic 360-degree views of Sonoma and Napa valleys, and San Francisco.
The First Day Hikes is a national-led effort by America’s State Parks that encourages individuals and families to experience, with a seasoned guide, the beautiful natural and cultural resources found in the outdoors and inspire them to take advantage of these treasures all year long. America’s State Parks will also ring in nation’s 250th anniversary with 1,000-plus First Day Hikes across the country.
Plan Ahead for Your New Year Escape
A parking fee is required at most parks for the hike. However, if participants have checked out the California State Library Parks Pass or have qualified for the Golden Bear Pass, they can enter for free at participating parks. Parents of fourth graders are invited to download the California State Park Adventure Pass that allows free entrance at 54 participating parks, like Millerton Lake State Recreation Area. Learn more about these free passes at parks.ca.gov/OutdoorsForAll.
As with any outing, it is important for all participants to recreate responsibly. Below are helpful tips to stay safe during First Day Hikes and all year long in the outdoors:
- Know Before You Go: Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a backup plan in case your destination is crowded. Check the weather before heading out and stay home if you are sick.
- Play It Safe: Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. For example, make sure to dress in layers, bring plenty of snacks and water, and wear appropriate hiking shoes.
- Leave No Trace: Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.
For more safety tips, please visit parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
Share Your Adventure
Experience a safer outdoor adventure with the OuterSpatial app—your ultimate guide to California’s state parks. Navigate through a user-friendly interactive map, receive accurate directions, and stay updated in real-time for secure park exploration. Connect with fellow enthusiasts, monitor your visits, share photos and earn badges via challenges like the Passport to Your California State Parks.
For those who can’t make it to a guided hike, California offers 280 state parks to visit to start 2026 in a positive way with family and friends. Find a park near you: parks.ca.gov/Find-a-Park.
Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtags: #HikeInto2026, #FirstDayHikes, #HikeWithCAStateParks and #CAStateParks.
Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at NewsRoom@parks.ca.gov
California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.