New Year’s Day First Day Hikes, Jan. 1

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) invites Oregonians outdoors on New Year’s Day for the annual First Day Hikes event. Visitors can choose from 37 hikes in 31 parks across the state. All hikes will be guided by a park ranger or volunteer who will share stories about the park’s history, geology, wildlife and plants. All hikes are free and day-use parking fees will be waived at all participating parks Jan. 1 only. Hikers can register for specific hikes online at the Oregon State Parks Store: bit.ly/ParkStoreEvents. While online registration isn’t required for participation, visitors are encouraged to register. It helps park staff plan the hike and provides them with participant contact information should hike details change. OPRD advises visitors to plan for inclement weather, dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, bring water and remember to carry binoculars for viewing wildlife. OPRD has sponsored First Day Hikes annually since 2012, part of a larger national event organized by America’s State Parks. Participating parks and meeting areas are below. Full details for each hike are also on bit.ly/ParkStoreEvents. COAST – Bullards Beach State Park: 1 p.m., meet at the meeting hall. Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint: noon, meet in the Cape Meares parking lot. Crissey Field State Recreation Site: 11 a.m., meet at the welcome center. Fort Stevens State Park: 10 a.m., meet in the Battery Russell parking lot. Humbug Mountain State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Humbug Mountain trailhead. Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park: 10 a.m., meet in the group camp parking lot. Oswald West State Park: 8 a.m., meet at the Cape Falcon trailhead. Seal Rock State Recreation Site: 9:30 a.m., meet in the Seal Rock parking lot. Umpqua Lighthouse State Park: 1 p.m., meet at Lake Marie Day-use area. William M. Tugman State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Eel Lake boat ramp.