Search results

First Day Hike

Join a guided hike through the forested hillsides of Lake Easton.

Join us for a hike through historic Penrose Point State Park.

Rangers will lead a hike along Two Dollar trail, identifying native plants and discussing the importance of leave no trace. The hike will also venture around Fragrance Lake.

Join Park Staff at the Millersylvania Retreat Center to learn about and explore this unique area of the park and take a guided hike along the trails.

Join Park Staff as we take a hike along the Four Cedars Loop trail and learn about some of the unique features of Tolmie State Park.

Let's hike the Evergreen trail backwards! See the trail in a way you may have not seen before. Let's start off the new year in a different light!

Annual polar plunge on New Years Day

Go for a hike with Ranger Mehgan on a new route for this year's First Day Hike! We will explore the west to south route of our perimeter loop trail with a special surprise near the end of our hike. This hike is easy with a steady decline down to The Spit. Please come prepared for weather and bring a good pair of binoculars in case we spot some epic birds along the way!

A guided tour from a Park Ranger who will point out various examples of flora and fauna along the trail.

The hike will be led by a park ranger and will follow Twanoh Creek before climbing up to a forested ridgetop. It then follows an old service road along the ridge before descending back to finish along the creek.

There will be 2 guided hikes:
Moderate hike of almost 2 miles with variation in elevation; estimated time to complete the hike is 1 hour. Hiking poles would be helpful in some places due to steepness of the trail.
Easier hike on shorter, flatter route of 1.4 miles OR guided history-focused walk along Perimeter trail depending on trail conditions that day.

Photography Scavenger Hunt. Take a picture of you, your family, or friends with some of the falls and more!

Hike around Saltwater State Park, Various trail surface conditions; asphalt, gravel, and dirt. Switch back trails inclines and descent. 3-5 ft wide trail sections. Families are welcome if children can handle the mileage. Visit the beach on your own after the hike.

Join the Interpretive Specialist, Meredith Peterson, and other park staff for a walk out to Cranberry Lake to get out and get moving on the first day of the year. This gentle trail leads you through the forest to a marsh ecosystem, where there is an active beaver lodge and signs of their activity along the way. Enjoy hot drinks and snacks at the drop off shelter before the hike begins.

Join the Interpretive Specialist, Meredith Peterson, and other park staff for a walk along the Howard Adams Trail to get out and get moving on the first day of the year. This gentle trail leads you through the forest, where we will set our intentions for the new year and enjoy time spent outside. Enjoy hot drinks and snacks at the drop off shelter before the hike begins.

Participants will walk south along the Columbia Plateau Trail to the railroad underpass at Minnie Creek, about ¾ mile, guided by Parks staff and volunteers. Along the way, participants will have beautiful views of Fish Lake. Snacks will be provided at the trailhead. Please register through Eventbrite under the event name “First Day Hike- Columbia Plateau Trail,” Discover Pass is not required on January 1st.

Take a stroll through the forest with a ranger! We'll be discussing fun facts about Lake Chelan, the forest and more!

Hike the Harstine State Park Trails with local Park Rangers and dive into the flora and fauna of Harstine Island. We'll be following our curiosities through the forest to learn about the plants we see, the birds we hear, and anything else we stumble upon!

An informative, fun nature stroll through the Horan Natural Area. Focusing on seasonal wildlife and native vegetation, while touching on the history of the area.

First day hikers are welcome to the Cornet Bay Retreat Center at Deception Pass State Park for a fun morning of hikes. Starting at 9:00 AM, hikers are invited to enjoy warm drinks and snacks. At 9:30 AM hikers will then have the option select their preferred activity based on difficulty level. Hikes range in difficulty from easy to hard. All hikes are on and around Goose Rock and include some of the most popular trails in the park. Hikers can expect to see a variety of wildlife, experience old growth forest, and enjoy amazing views of the Salish Sea and rocky cliffs of Deception Pass.

"Capture the New Year" Photography Scavenger Hunt
Capture the New Year at Sacajawea State Park! Join Interpretive Ranger Mary for a photography scavenger hunt around the day-use area. Warm up with a hot drink, toast marshmallows on the patio, and enjoy the beauty of the Snake-Columbia Confluence in winter!

If there is snow we will be taking a beginner snowshoe walk through the campground. If there is no snow we will take a easy walk through the campground and day use area. Looking for traces of local wildlife and discussing the history of the park and how it came to be. Once the walk is complete, there will be hot cocoa and snacks provided for enjoyment.

Lime Kiln Point History Walk
Take a hike with Lime Kiln’s Park Rangers and learn about the unique 170 year history of the park and surrounding area.