Kick off 2025 outside with a First Day Hike and a trip report!

Ring in the new year with a First Day Hike at a Washington State Park! All state parks and other lands managed by Washington State Parks (WSP), the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will waive their parking fees for the day, so you can leave your Discover Pass at home.

(Note that Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee and Mount Spokane state parks become sno-parks in the winter, however, so they will require sno-park parking permits!)

There will be plenty of fun events happening at state parks on Jan. 1, like guided snowshoe hikes! Photo by doristheexplorist.

Join the park staff at one of their many fun events on the first day of the new year, where you can also pick up a free collectible 2025 First Day Hikes pin.

Some of the activities include:

• Guided day hikes at Deception Pass, Lake Sylvia, Cape Disappointment and Lake Wenatchee
• Guided snowshoe hikes at Mount Spokane 
• Birding with park staff at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center
• Self-guided equestrian “trot” at Bridle Trails
• Polar plunge at Maryhill
• Photography scavenger hunts at Palouse Falls and Sacajawea

Washington State Parks has a comprehensive list of all of its First Day Hikes events on its website. (Just note that some events require online registration in advance.) 

DIY your own first day hike

You can also make a First Day hike a tradition on any trail. We've got plenty of winter hiking and snowshoeing ideas to help you kick off a year outdoors no matter where you go.

Post a trip report

• Once you've figured out which event you’re heading to, don’t forget to file a trip report after your trip! We’d love to hear how your First Day adventure went, and your reports will help out others gauge trail conditions across the state!