NEW YORK — There are only a few days left until 2022 ends and we welcome a new year. Many are thinking of the best ways to celebrate the beginning of 2023 and the state of New York offers a very particular one.
Those Who Like the Outdoors New York Governor Kathy Hochul encourages New Yorkers to ring in the New Year at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, canal trails and public lands across the state on 1 January 2023. This is the first day of the Program Hikes offering 100 varied hiking options for people across the state to enjoy.
“There is no better way to start the New Year than with family and friends among the winter beauty of our public parks and state lands,” said Governor Hochul. “With so many first-day walks to choose from across the state, New Yorkers can take a break from the hectic pace of the holidays and find the perfect setting to ring in a bright and optimistic new year.”
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Canal Corporation are partnering to organize the many walks and hikes taking place across the state as part of the 12th Annual of Walks of the First Day.
“First Day Hikes are a family tradition that offer a new seasonal perspective on our state’s natural treasures in winter and all there is to do year-round in state parks. I encourage New Yorkers to enjoy the outdoors this New Year’s Day with a fun hike in New York’s breathtaking scenic settings,” said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid.
The rides and hikes are family-friendly and typically range from one to five miles, depending on location and conditions. More than 90 hikes are offered in state parks, historic sites, DEC state lands, wildlife areas, Forest Reserves and canal trails, and environmental education centers. New for 2023, State Holidays is introducing additional walks throughout Genesee Valley Greenwaythe New York State Birding Trail, and four new hikes as part of the program On the Canalsincluding walks along the Empire State Trail.
Here the tips.
A list of first-day walks in New York State, location details, format, pre-registration requirements, and additional information can be found online. parks, DEC y canales. Interested entrants are encouraged to verify the details of their preferred host site and pre-register where necessary.
Starting in Massachusetts in 1992, First Day Hikes is now a national event taking place in all 50 states. Other ideas for New Yorkers to celebrate 2023 outdoors include finding a local park or trail, or exploring local neighborhoods.
List of first day hikes by region:
western new york
- Allegany State Park – Quaker Area, Salamanca; 716-354-9101 x.232
- Amherst State Park, Williamsville; 716-631-7132
- Beaver Island State Park, Grand Island; 716-282-5154
- Boutwell Hill State Forest, Charlotte; 716-363-2052
- Brockport Welcome Center Canal Hike, Brockport; [email protected]
- Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area, North Collins; 716-851-7019
- Evangola State Park, Irving; 716-549-1050
- Fort Niagara State Park, Youngstown; 716.282.5154 (2 walks)
- Genesee Valley Greenway, Hinsdale; 585-493-3614.
- Genesee Valley Greenway, Cuba; 585-493-3614.
- Genesee Valley Greenway, Avon; 585-493-3614.
- Genesee Valley Greenway; Piffard; 585-493-3614
- Genesee Valley Greenway, Nunda; 585-493-3614
- Genesee Valley Greenway, Rochester; 585-493-3614
- Genesee Valley Greenway, Scottsville; 585-493-3614
- Genesee Valley Greenway, Fowlerville; 585-493-3614
- Genesee Valley Greenway, York; 585-493-3614
- Genesee Valley Park, Rochester; 585-520-9984
- Golden Hill State Park, Barker; 716-282-5154
- Hamlin Beach State Park, Hamlin; 585-964-2462
- Knox Farm State Park, East Aurora; 716-549-1050
- Letchworth State Park Humphrey Nature Center, Castile; 585-493-3680 (4 walks)
- Letchworth State Park Highbanks Picnic Shelter, Mt. Morris; 585.493.3680 (2 walks)
- Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls; 716-282-5154
- Phillips Creek State Forest, Ward; [email protected]
- Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center, Depew; 716-683-5959
- Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Falls; 716-282-5154
- Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area, Collins; 440-983-0023
Finger Lakes and Central New York
- Bowman Lake State Park/McDonough State Forest, Oxford; 607-334-2718
- Canalside Lock C/S-4, Waterloo; 315-659-9269
- Catharine Valley Trail, Watkins Glen; 607-481-0584
- Chenango Valley State Park, Chenango Forks; 607-648-5251
- Clark Reservation State Park, Jamesville; 315-415-8377
- Delta Lake State Park, Rome; 315-337-4670
- Fort Ontario State Historic Site, Oswego; 315-343-4711
- Glimmerglass State Park, Cooperstown; 607-547-8662
- Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville; 315-637-611
- Herkimer Home State Historic Site, Herkimer; 315-823-0398
- Lesser Wilderness State Forest, Turin; 315-376-3521
- Macedon Canal Park, Macedon; 585-269-8125
- Montezuma Audubon Center, Savannah; [email protected]
- Newtown Battlefield State Park, Elmira; 607-732-6287
- Rogers Environmental Education Center, Sherburne; 607-674-4733
- Selkirk Shores State Park, Pulaski; 315-298-5737
- Seneca Lake State Park, Geneva; 315-789-2331
- Southville State Forest, Stockholm; 315-265-3090
- Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg; 607-387-7041 ext. 131
- Two Rivers State Park, Waverly; 607-732-6287
North Country/Adirondacks
- Adirondack Interpretive Center, Newcomb; 518-582-2000
- Hadley Mountain, Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, Hadley; [email protected]
- Moxham Mountain, Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest, Minerva; 518-338-8173
- Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC), Brighton; 518-327-6241
- Point Au Roche State Park, Plattsburgh; 518-563-6444
- Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway Day Use Area, Lake George; 518-623-1268
- Robert G. Wehle State Park, Henderson; 315-938-5302
- Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, Sackets Harbor; 315-646-2321
- Wellesley Island State Park, Fineview; 315-482-2479
Grand Capital District
- Champlain Canal Lock 5, Schuylerville; 518-583-3708
- Five Rivers Environmental Education Area, Delmar; 518-475-0291
- Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton; 518-279-1155 x2
- Mine Kill State Park, North Blenheim; 518-827-6111
- Peebles Island State Park, Cohoes; [email protected] (2 caminatas)
- Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs; 518-584-2000 x16
- Thacher State Park, Voorheesville; 518-872-0800
Hudson Valley/Catskills
- Catskills Visitor Center, Shandaken; 845-688-3369
- FDR State Park, Yorktown; 914-245-4434
- Little Stony Point/Hudson Highlands State Park, Cold Spring; 845-224-7207
- John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, Katonah; 914-232-5651
- Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Peter’s Kill, Kerhonkson; 845-255-0752
- Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Sam’s Point, Cragsmoor; 845-647-7989
- Olana State Historic Site, Hudson; 518-751-0344
- Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park, Dobbs Ferry; 646-303-1448
- Panther Mountain, Slide Mountain Wilderness, Shandaken; [email protected]
- Platte Clove Preserve, Hunter; 845-688-3369
- Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville; 914-666-6503
- Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburg; 845-874-0568
- Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo; 845-351-5907
- Taconic State Park – Copake Falls, Copake Falls; 518-329-3993
- Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Poughkeepsie; 845-834-2867
- Willowemoc Wild Forest, Rockland; 845-693-4181
New York City and Long Island
- Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale; 516-249-0701
- Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve, Staten Island; 718-605-3970 ext. 201
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale; 631-581-1005 (2 caminatas)
- Hallock Preserve, Riverhead; 631-315-5475
- Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead; 516-766-1029
- Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh; 516-785-1600
- Montauk Point State Park, Montauk; 631-668-5000
- Mt. Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island; 718-313-8591
- Ridge Conservation Area, Ridge; 631-444-0350
- Shirley Chisholm State Park, Brooklyn; 212-866-3100
- Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park; 631-269-4333
Many are anxious about certain conversations or personal topics and do not know how to handle them because they do not want to be rude or fight with others.