More than 30 state parks in South Carolina will offer ranger-guided hikes, walks and special events on Tuesday, Jan. 1, to help launch the new year (and to get resolutions off to a good start.) The First Day Hikes are mostly walks along beaches and lakes, in forests or on historic trails, to help visitors learn more about the cultural and natural heritage of South Carolina and to get in some holiday exercise.
A few parks also will offer special events. There are 5K runs planned at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site in Charleston and Devils Fork State Park in Salem; a horse ride is scheduled at Lee State Park; and a cold “plunge” into Lake Jocassee is scheduled at Devils Fork.
“Traditionally, New Year’s Day is a time to recharge and restart, and we’re happy to offer ideal settings for people to do that,” said Paul McCormack, Director of the South Carolina State Park Service. “The trails and pathways in state parks are some of the most naturally scenic and historically significant in the state. Inspiring and re-affirming, they set the stage for enriching experiences in the South Carolina outdoors.”
Park visitors who participate in First Day Hikes are encouraged to share their experiences through comments and photo posts on social media with the hashtags #FirstDayHikes and#SCStateParks. Each participant will receive an official 2019 “I Hiked It!” sticker and one lucky winner from each event will get a park passport.
For a complete list of parks hosting hikes and events, click here. Additional information about state parks can be found at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com.
The Park Service’s First Day Hikes are part of a national movement by the America’s State Parks program to get more people out into the great outdoors on New Year’s Day and to rediscover the beauty and significance of their natural heritage.