Three area state parks will be among those in all 50 states kicking off the new year with First Day Hike activities.This year for First Day Hikes, Arkansas State Parks will offer guided hikes at many locations, as well as encourage self-guided walks and hikes throughout the “First Weekend,” Saturday and Sunday, for those who would like to explore on their own. All participants are eligible to receive a free sticker.In North Central Arkansas, hikes are planned at Bull Shoals-White River State Park, Ozark Folk Center State Park and Mammoth Spring State Park.
The Bull Shoals-White River State Park event will kick off at the Big Bluff trailhead on Powerhouse Road just beneath the dam at 10 Saturday morning.
Participants will hike approximately two hours on the moderately strenuous Big Bluff Trail and should plan to complete the 1.75-mile hiking loop. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the rocky terrain. Hikers should dress in layers for the weather and bring water & snacks. They may also wish to bring a pair of binoculars. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash for the duration of the hike.
The First Day Hike at the Ozark Folk Center State Park will originate at 10 from the lower parking lot at The Skillet Restaurant. The guided tour will end at noon at the visitor center for hot cocoa and cider.
On this guided hike, Arkansas State Park interpreters will share the history of the park and the region, as participants go through some of the natural areas of the park, and the green house, Craft Village and Ozark Highlands Theater at the Ozark Folk Center.
The hike begins at the Whitewater Creek Trailhead on the west side of The Skillet parking lot. Hikers will follow their guide to the creek and then back through the Cabins at Dry Creek to the Heritage Herb Garden Greenhouse where they will learn about the collection and propagation of the plants and how they connect to the people of the Ozarks.
From there they will hike through the park’s large parking lot and overlook to Loco Ropes’ treetop adventure. Though it is closed for the winter, they’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the zipline and tower.
Afterwards, hikes will climb the 127 steps to the Craft Village entrance where they’ll get a guided tour of The Village where working artisans demonstrate, make and sell their handcrafted works. There will be some artisans working that day.
While in The Village, hikers will go backstage at the park’s 1,000-seat music venue, the Ozark Highlands Theater, where they’ll have the opportunity to learn to jig dance to old-time mountain music like thousands of visitors have done since 1973. On-lookers welcome. They’ll also hear a bit of the Ozark Highlands Radio program that is produced year-round at the park.
From there, the hike will lead through the upper level of the Craft Village and finish with the visitor center.
At Mammoth Spring State Park the event runs from 9 to 10 a.m.
Hikers should meet at the welcome center and join park staff on a guided hike of Spring Lake Trail.
Contact the park for more information.
Admission to all the events is free.
“We are happy to bring back guided hikes this year, and we also invite our guests to take a self-guided hike to kick off the new year outdoors,” says Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst. “Our 52 state parks are located throughout the state, giving Arkansans an opportunity to find the perfect trail at a park close to home.”
Participants can receive a free sticker one of two ways:
Take part in a guided hike and receive a sticker at the program.
Log self-guided hikes in Arkansas State Parks by filling out a form (to be posted on ArkansasStateParks.com/FirstDayHikes on Friday) and receive a free sticker in the mail for each person in your group.
“First Day Hikes are a new tradition for so many families and friends of Arkansas State Parks,” says Arkansas State Parks Deputy Director Shea Lewis. “We love being able to offer many different opportunities for our guests to honor these traditions and continue to build meaningful connections to the resources of state parks.”
Arkansas State Parks asks guests to recreate responsibly and remember:
• When the parking lot is full, the park is full. Consider planning your hikes on less-visited trails or off-peak times of the day. Consider having a Plan B in place.
• Dress for the weather. Wear and bring warm layers and sturdy shoes.
• Bring water and snacks.
• Practice physical distancing. Keep 6′ distance from hikers who don’t live in your immediate household.
• Stay on designated trails. Shortcuts cause damage and are unsafe.
• Practice Leave No Trace principles.
A few park locations are closed on the New Year’s holiday but will be open on Sunday.
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