Take a hike on the first day of the year to start your new year off right!
Numerous Kansas State Parks – and a Wichita city park – are offering First Day Hikes, which are guided hikes on New Year’s Day, January 1.
Bring the family – bundled up, of course, and wearing comfortable, sturdy hiking boots or shoes – and bring your camera for wildlife photos or a pair of binoculars.
At some parks, you can bring your dog as long as it’s on a leash.
The Wichita hike is FREE. For the state park hikes, you’ll just need a state park vehicle license. (It’s generally only $5 for a day-pass if you don’t already have the State Park Passport.) Scroll down to see a list of all First Day Hikes in the state.
Wichita-area First Day Hikes Closest to Wichita
Of all the parks that will have first-day hikes, the ones closest to Wichita are
- Cheney State Park
- El Dorado State Park
Cheney State Park First Day Hike
Roughly 37 min from Wichita
- January 1, a group meets at 10am & 2 pm at the Cheney Park Office (on the West Shore) for a 1.5 mile hike.
- The hike is moderate in difficulty.
- A limited number of FDH (first day hike) t-shirts available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Hikers can see animals, including deer, bald eagles, foxes, bobcats, meadowlarks and more if you are lucky.
- Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather (including hiking boots) and bring any water, snacks you think you might need. Leashed pets are welcome.
- Other good items to bring might include binoculars or a camera.
- They may have a collection box if you want to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the local food bank.
- They will have a limited number of First Day Hike t-shirts available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- For more information about the Cheney First Day Hike, call the park office at (316) 542-3664 or visit the Cheney State Park Facebook page.
El Dorado State Park First Day Hike
Roughly 42 min from Wichita
- On January 1, meet at the Walnut River Cabins for a mile to 3-mile hike (depending on your preference) along the Walnut River Trail.
- Dress warm and bring a camera for wildlife pictures. This will be an easy-to-moderate hike. It is pet-friendly as long as your pet is on a leash.
- After the hike, enjoy snacks and coffee or cider for the hikers. Again, vehicle permits are required for park entrance, which are $5 for each car (unless you have the Kansas State Parks Passport).
For more info on this hike, call the park office at (316) 321-7180 or check out the park’s Facebook page.
“Women Hiking KS”
- Join the group ‘Women Hiking KS and Beyond‘
- This year they will NOT have a new years hike but will host one on Jan 17!
- They meet in the parking lot of the Great Plains Nature Center for a meet up and a group picture and then everyone will be sent out to hike the trail(s) of your choice.
- The majority of trails are paved; some are dirt. You can hike and/or walk as little or as many miles as you want. The trails circle around the nature center and you can return or turn around at any time you prefer.
- Strollers are allowed. Dogs aren’t. Chisholm Park trails are free, but the group is suggesting a $2 donation per hiker for this event.
Kansas State Parks First Day Hikes
If you’d like to venture a little further afield, State Parks all across Kansas are hosting first-day hikes as well.
According to KansasOutdoors.com, these other Kansas parks are also participating in First Day Hikes. Each may have its own start/end times and specific instructions, so be sure to call or check the link above for event details for your nearest state park, First Day Hike.
Again, vehicle permits are required for these, which are only $5 per car.
- Cedar Bluff State Park
- Clinton State Park
- Crawford State Park
- Elk City State Park
- Fall River State Park
- Flint Hills Trail State Park
- Glen Elder State Park
- Green Property – Pratt, KS
- Hillsdale State Park
- Kanopolis State Park
- Meade State Park
- Milford State Park
- Perry State Park
- Pomona State Park
- Prairie Center
- Prairie Dog State Park
- Prairie Spirit Trail State Park
- Sand Hills State Park
- Historic Lake Scott State Park
- Tuttle Creek State Park
- Webster State Park
- Wilson State Park
After you’ve finished your trek, be sure to share your photos with staff and fellow hikers by using the hashtags #FirstDayHikes and #MyKSStatePark.
