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Four more days until we kick out the year no one will miss, put on a brave face and look forward to a better 2021.

If ever there were a time we needed a First Day Hike - a day to start over and great the new year with a smile - it would be Jan. 1, 2021.

Our First Day Hike events will be different this year because they will all be self-guided. Most of our parks have some great suggestions though. You can find the list here. Many parks have self-guided brochures and some of them are available to download in advance here.

We have often found that most of our January 1 visitors prefer to create their own First Day Hike experience anyway, so hopefully you won't miss the guided hikes too much.

This is where I have to provide some disclaimers. First, masks are required in all of our buildings including bathrooms.

Secondly, while generally not required outdoors, that is not the case if you cannot maintain six feet physical distancing. We expect a lot of people to come out to our 39 Virginia State Parks on New Year's Day so you may want to make sure you have your mask to wear in parking lots, trail heads, access points and possibly some of the more popular trails.

Third, feel free to bring friends and family but keep your group 10 or less to meet the Governor's Executive Order.

January 1 is a free parking day* and, in addition to the great hiking opportunities, we are offering our two traditional contests.

First Day Hike Photo Contest

Top prize is a $500 Virginia State Parks gift certificate for the best photo taken in one of our Virginia State Parks on January 1, 2021. Winners are chosen based on the marketing value of the photograph. Hint: it is very difficult for a selfie to win since a selfie is mostly just people and not much park picture. We also won't give a prize to dogs off leash or any rule violation or unsafe activity. I highly recommend that you read the rules here.

If you have entered our photo contests before, we are using a new contest software and, while you may enter up to three photos for the contest, you must upload them all at the same time. Read the specifics here.

New Year Challenge

This contest is completely different this year. First, it's the way you will receive your special edition 2021 First Day Hike sticker. We have made that contact-less by deciding to mail them out this year. It also solves the problem when folks arrive before offices and visitor centers are open.

Secondly, all you have to do is visit this web page after you visit one of our parks on January 1, and provide the requested information which includes the distance you hiked. One entry per household so you can also tell us how many people hiked with you so we will send enough stickers for everyone. Please include the hiking mileage for one person on your contest application, we'll do the math to get the grand total. Rules and contest prizes can also be found here.

Start Your Trail Quest

Your visit for First Day Hikes is a great opportunity to start your Trail Quest. Record your visits to new Virginia State Parks and earn pins at  1, 5, 10, and 20 visits, earning the designation Master Hiker when you visit all our parks. Everyone in the family can participate. Your same log in also works for our Geocache game and this spring's new Paddle Quest. Sign up here.

FIND ALL THE FIRST DAY HIKE 4-1-1
IN ONE CONVENIENT LOCATION HERE

*Free parking does not include access to the Natural Bridge. Parking is free at trail heads at Natural Bridge State Park and there is no charge to enter the Visitor Center. Standard per person admission applies to the Bridge area.