PRESS RELEASES
Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department Celebrates New Year with First Day Hikes Across State
OKLAHOMA CITY — In keeping with an annual tradition, Oklahoma State Parks will again host First Day Hikes on Jan. 1, 2022. 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.
Guided Hikes
Twenty state parks will host guided hikes on New Year’s Day. Two parks will hold separate hikes on Jan. 2 and 8. Park staff and volunteers will lead the free hikes.
Personal Hikes
Although not all Oklahoma State Parks are hosting guided hikes, the parks department encourages all guests to take the opportunity on Jan. 1 to hit the trails and walk their way to health on their 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 at all Oklahoma State Parks on Jan. 1, 2022.
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: Meet at the park office at 10 a.m. for a moderate, 1/2-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
Robbers Cave State Park, Wilburton: Two separate hikes will be held simultaneously. Meet at Community Room #1 at 9:30 a.m. and choose from two different hikes. 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. 918-465-2565
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
Southern and Central Oklahoma
Lake Murray State Park, Ardmore: There will be two hikes on Jan. 1. One at 10 a.m. and another at 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Nature Center. 580-223-4044.
Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman: Meet at 10 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. 405-360-3572/405-321-4633
Western Oklahoma
Alabaster Caverns, Freedom: Meet at the park office at 2 p.m. for an easy hike on the Healthy Heart Raptor’s Roost Trail. Leashed pets are allowed. Hot chocolate will be available afterward. 580-621-3381
Black Mesa, Kenton: Meet at 2 p.m. at the north end of the group camp for a moderate to strenuous, 1.25-mile hike on the Rock Garden Trail. Excellent views of Lake Carl Etling along the trail. Leashed pets allowed. 580-426-2222
Boiling Springs, Woodward: Meet at 2 p.m. at the trailhead of the River Trail for a moderate, 1-mile hike. 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: Meet in front of the lodge lobby at 11 a.m. for the first hike on the Sunrise Trail, a 0.5-mile loop with moderate difficulty (some portions are steep). Hike #2 meet at 2 p.m. at the park office to caravan to the Baldy Point Trail, a 2-mile total hike to the summit of Baldy Point. Moderate to moderately strenuous trail. Some portions are steep, elevation gain is roughly 300 feet. Pets allowed. 580-563-2238.
Roman Nose State Park, Watonga: Meet at 1pm in the lodge lobby for a moderate, 1.5-mile hike on the Canyon Spur Trail. Pets on leash are allowed. 800-892-8690.
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 10 a.m. The easy, 1-mile hike 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: Three separate hikes. First hike: meet at 9 a.m. at the park office for a strenuous, 5.5-mile hike along the Greenleaf Lake Trail. Approximately 3 hours. Second hike: Meet at park office at 10 a.m. for an easy, 1.5-mile hike along the paved Family Fun Trail. Third hike: Meet at 1 p.m. at the park office for a strenuous, 5.5-mile hike along the Greenleaf Lake Trail. Approximately 3 hours. 918-487-5196.
Sequoyah State Park, Hulbert: Two different hikes are scheduled. The 11:30 a.m. hike is an easy, 1-mile hike through Bluebird Trail, meet at the trail head by the Chickasaw entrance. The 1:30 p.m. hike is a moderate, 2.4-mile hike through Whispering Pines Trail. Meet at the nature center parking lot. Both hikes are one way, which will double the distance overall. 918-772-2108
Tenkiller State Park, Vian: Meet at 10 a.m. at the nature center for the first hike along the multi-use trail. Length is approximately 1.5 miles. For the second hike, meet at the nature center at 2 p.m. for a hike along the Whispering Leaves Trail. This is a moderate hike along unpaved and uneven, rocky terrain. Hot cocoa and lemonade available after each hike as well as a Dutch oven demo. Reservations for each hike required. 918-489-5025 ext 6.
Sunday, Jan. 2
Great Plains, Mountain Park: Meet at the park office at 10 a.m. for a moderate level short hike to the entrance by Upper Mountain (2 miles) or continue along the trail to the east entrance, to the dam and back (5-6 miles.) Leashed pets allowed.
Saturday, Jan. 8
Fort Cobb, Fort Cobb: Meet at 10 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. Leashed pets allowed. 405-643-2249
Hikers should remember to wear 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. Participating Oklahoma State Parks 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 the Oklahoma State Parks page on Facebook at Facebook.com/OklahomaStateParks.