The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to celebrate the first day of 2016 with First Day Hikes taking place at more than two dozen state parks on Jan. 1.

In the spirit of the new year, Washingtonians are encouraged to start 2016 with a healthy hike and connect with the diverse natural resources and recreation opportunities found at state parks across Washington on New Year’s Day. Many parks will have guided hikes, with expertise provided by rangers and volunteers. Some of the hikes will be fat-tire bike rides, snowshoe treks, as well as a 5K run. Events will take place in a diverse and dramatic range of landscapes including coastal beaches, islands, waterfalls, lowland forests, historic military batteries, geological points of interest and more.

Jan. 1 is a State Parks ‘Free Day.’ Participants will not need to display the Discover Pass on vehicles to access state parks for the New Year’s Day activities. Those parks include Saint Edward State Park on the Kirkland and Kenmore boundary and Bridle Trails State Park on the Bellevue and Kirkland boundary.

“We’re very excited to once again join other state park systems across the country in the First Day Hikes program,” said Don Hoch, Washington State Parks director. “Washington was among the first states to participate when the event began, and we’re pleased this year to be offering more than 25 First Day Hikes in Washington state parks. We hope folks will get their families out to join us for some healthy outdoor activity in the parks on New Year’s Day.”

The First Day Hikes program is part of the America’s State Parks First Day Hikes national initiative organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. The nationwide event first started at Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Milton, Mass., more than 25 years ago. Since 2013, all 50 state park systems have participated in the First Day Hikes program. For more information about hikes across the country, visit: www.naspd.org/initiatives-special-programs/first-day-hikes/.

Participants of all ages are welcome, unless otherwise noted with suggested minimum age. Most parks will provide refreshments, thanks to a donation from the Washington State Employees Credit Union and the Manufactured Home and Recreational Vehicle Association.

First Day Hikes at Washington state parks are scheduled as follows and listed by county. For more details about 2016 First Day Hikes, visit our blog, Adventure Awaits, here: http://adventureawaits.com/2015/12/adventure-first-day-hikes-2016/