PRESS RELEASES
Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department Celebrates New Year
With First Day Hikes Across State on Jan. 1, 2021
OKLAHOMA CITY — In keeping with an annual tradition, Oklahoma State Parks will again host First Day Hikes on Jan. 1, 2021. The free, guided hikes present an opportunity to begin the New Year on a healthy perspective by getting outdoors, connecting with nature and promoting year-round recreation.
“It is our goal to promote physical fitness and wellness with these guided hikes on the first day and weekend of the new year,” said Oklahoma State Parks Director Kris Marek. “During the current health crisis, we encourage participants to be vigilant in staying safe during any event; even one that is outdoors. Everyone must follow recommended social distance and face covering guidelines and continue healthy habits so we can assure a safe event for all guests and state park personnel who attend the First Day Hikes.”
Guided Hikes: Twenty state parks will host guided hikes on New Year’s Day. Two parks will hold separate hikes on Jan. 2 and 3. Park staff and volunteers will lead the free hikes.
Personal Hikes: Although not all Oklahoma State Parks are hosting guided hikes, we encourage all guests to take the opportunity on Jan. 1 to hit the trails and walk your way to health on your own time. Guests should take advantage of bicycle and equestrian trails and golf courses for fresh air and recreation. All Oklahoma State Parks are open for outdoor visitors.
Parking: Parking will be FREE for hikers at all Oklahoma State Parks on Jan. 1, 2021.
Guided First Day Hikes will be held in the following Oklahoma State Parks. All park contact numbers and hike information can be found at TravelOK.com.
Southeastern Oklahoma
Arrowhead State Park on Lake Eufaula, Canadian: In 2021, the park will have two separate hikes. Meet at the park office at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. for a moderate 1.3-mile hike on the Trivia Trail. 918-339-2204
Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow: Meet at 11 a.m. at the Forest Heritage Center for an easy, 1-mile hike along the Forest Heritage Center Tree Trail. 580-494-6300
Lake Eufaula State Park, Eufaula: Meet at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center for an easy, 1.5-mile hike on the Chinkapin Trail. 918-689-5311
Lake Wister State Park, Wister: Meet at 1 p.m. at the Ward’s Landing Shelter for a moderate, 1-mile hike along the Ward’s Landing Heart Healthy Trail. 918-655-7212
McGee Creek State Park, Atoka: Meet at 1 p.m. at T-Hill in the park for an easy, 1.4-mile walk through the Potapo Campground. 580-889-5822
Robbers Cave State Park, Wilburton: Two separate hikes will be held simultaneously, every 3 hours. Meet at the Nature Center at 9:30 a.m. and choose your hike. The Mountain Trail hike is a moderate-to-strenuous trail that is 3 miles long and will take approximately 2 hours to complete. The Outdoor Classroom hike is 1 mile in length and will take approximately 45 minutes. Each hike will be capped at 20 persons per hike. 918-465-2565/539-232-3975
Southern and Central Oklahoma
Lake Murray State Park, Ardmore: Meet at the Nature Center for two separate hikes. The first hike is at 10 a.m., and the second is at 1:30 p.m. Hikes are limited to 25 to 30 persons per hike. RSVP by email in advance to Bonnie.Farris@TravelOK.com. Reservations will be taken until hikes are full.
Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman: Meet at 11 a.m. at the Discovery Cove Nature Center for two different hikes. The first will take guests on the Nature Trail, while the second will take guests on a paved, accessible trail. 405-360-3572.
Western Oklahoma
Alabaster Caverns State Park, Freedom: Meet at the park office at 2 p.m. for an easy, 1/2-mile hike on the Cavern Trail. 580-621-3381
Boiling Springs State Park, Woodward: Meet at the park office at 2 p.m. for an easy, 1-mile hike on the River Trail. 580-256-7664
Foss State Park, Foss: Meet at the Cedar Point shelter at 2 p.m. for a moderate, 2-mile hike on the Great Western Trail. 580-592-4433
Quartz Mountain State Park, Lone Wolf: Two hikes are planned. 1.) Meet at the park office at 6:15 a.m. for the sunrise hike. Hike limited to first 15 people who sign up. Car caravan to the main boat ramp; amble down the beach and watch the sunrise over Lake Altus-Lugert.
2.) Meet at the park office at 9 a.m. Hike limited to first 15 people who sign up. Caravan to Cedar Valley; stroll around Cedar Valley. Discussion will start with brief geologic history. Woodpeckers and nuthatches should be seen. Distance traveled is approximately a mile over generally level terrain. Program will conclude about 10:45 a.m. 580-305-1964
Northeastern Oklahoma
Keystone State Park, Mannford: Meet at the park office. The first hike begins at 12:01 a.m. and the second begins at 10:30 a.m. The moderate, 1.25-mile hike will be held on the Rangers Pass Trail. Afterward, hikers can enjoy coffee and hot chocolate. 918-865-4991
Osage Hills State Park, Pawhuska: Meet at the ball field at midnight for the first hike. A second hike will be held at 1 p.m. The easy, 1-mile hikes will be along the Creek Loop Trail. 918-336-5635
Grand Lake State Park, Bernice: Meet at 11 a.m. at the nature center for an easy, 1-mile hike along the paved Heart Healthy Trail. 918-257-8330.
Greenleaf State Park, Braggs: There will be three separate hikes. Meet at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. at the park office for an easy, 1-mile hike along the paved Family Fun Trail. The 1 p.m. hike is dog-friendly. 918-487-5196.
Sequoyah State Park, Hulbert/Sequoyah Bay State Park, Wagoner: A full day of hikes beginning at 6:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. are planned at Sequoyah and Sequoyah Bay state parks. All participants must register for each hike. No pets. Group sizes are limited. Sign up on Facebook or e-mail Angelina.Stancampiano@TravelOK.com. 918-772-2108.
Jan. 2
Fort Cobb State Park, Fort Cobb: Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Eagles’ Nest Pavilion, CS2530 and Eagle View Road for a moderate, 3-mile hike on the Western Oaks Heart Healthy Trail. Call the park to sign up for the hike. 405-643-2249
Jan. 3
Great Plains State Park, Mountain Park: Meet at 10 a.m. at the park office gift shop for a guided hike. It will start out easy on the Healthy Heart and Mountain Shade Campground Nature Trails (3/4 mile) then go through the Granite Hills Hiking Trail, a moderate trail up to 5 miles. Pets on leash are welcome.
Quartz Mountain State Park, Lone Wolf: First Month Sunday Sunrise hike. Meet at park office at 6:15 a.m. Hike limited to first 15 people who sign up. Caravan to main boat ramp; amble down the beach and watch the sunrise over Lake Altus-Lugert. Dress in layers, for the lowest temperatures. It is always colder and damper along the lake. Distance traveled will be less than a mile over generally level terrain. Program will conclude about 7:45 a.m.
Hikers should remember to practice safe social distancing, wear face coverings or masks, weather appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. Bring a camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing, and don’t forget water and snacks. Pets on leash are welcome at most hikes. Please check with the park before bringing a pet. Some Oklahoma State Parks are offering hot chocolate and warm beverages after completion of the hikes and encourage visitors to stay and explore other areas or enjoy the quiet beauty of the parks in the wintertime.
In the event of inclement weather, information about cancellation of hikes will be available by calling the state park listed or check our Oklahoma State Parks page at Facebook.com/OklahomaStateParks. Check park pages on Facebook and TravelOK.com for more hike information.
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