Happy New Year from Outdoor Humans 🪩

A brief note for starting 2025 on the right foot

Happy New Year, friends!

I know, I know… there are a few hours left of this current year, but who’s counting? Ahead of us are 365 chances to escape outdoors. Since January’s issue of Outdoor Humans is still being drafted, I want to share a timely note for one way to ring in the new year: traipsing out on a First Day Hike.

If you survive New Year’s Eve hangover-free, a First Day Hike may be the perfect way to honor the calendar change and jumpstart a year spent outdoors. These hikes are typically guided group adventures led by park staff or rangers. With more than 1,000 planned across the country within state and national parks, there’s likely one in your neck of the woods.

Find yourself a First Day Hike at a nearby state park, or if you live in the on-season traffic nightmare majestic shadow of a national park, check out the NPS guide to hiking events.

Not up for human interaction on day one? Any self-guided stroll you take counts as a First Day Hike, so kudos to you.

Cheers to a new year spent outdoors! 🍾

Nicole Garner Meeker