State parks around Arizona to offer free admission, guided hikes on New Year’s Day

PHOENIX — If your New Year’s resolution will be to spend more time outdoors or get more exercise, you can start right away with a hike on Jan. 1, 2026.

That’s because Arizona State Parks and Trails will offer First Day Hikes at 18 of its 33 parks.

First Day Hikes is an annual event that began in Massachusetts in 1992 and expanded to state parks around the U.S. in 2012. It calls for parks to offer Americans the opportunity to start their year by enjoying nature.

 

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This will be the first event of “Trails250,” a national celebration being organized by America’s state parks in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

Throughout the year, the parks will also honor President Theodore Roosevelt, a key figure in establishing national parks around the U.S.

State parks offering New Year’s Day hikes in 2026

Arizona State Parks and Trails is making sure that people from Flagstaff to Benson will have the chance to get outdoors on New Year’s Day.

The parks offering First Day Hikes in 2026 include:

• Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson
• Rockin’ River Ranch State Park in Camp Verde
• Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood
• Picacho Peak State Park in Eloy
• Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff
• Cattail Cove State Park in Lake Havasu City
• Lake Havasu State Park in Lake Havasu City
• Buckskin Mountain State Park in Parker
• Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Payson
• Patagonia Lake State Park in Patagonia
• Roper Lake State Park in Safford
• Red Rock State Park in Sedona
• Slide Rock State Park in Sedona
• Lyman Lake State Park in St. Johns
• Oracle State Park in Tucson
• Homolovi State Park in Winslow

Additionally, Apache Junction’s Lost Dutchman State Park and Tucson’s Catalina State Park will also offer free hikes, though hikers are being asked to pre-register for both. No pets will be allowed at the Lost Dutchman State Park hike.

More information can be found on the Arizona State Parks and Trails website.

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