A hike is a great way to kick off the New Year. There is nothing like fresh air and an invigorating hike on the first day of the year.
It’s also not a bad way to shake off some holiday over-indulgence… although, in our opinion, leftover holiday cookies count as “trail mix”.
For New Year’s Day hike ideas to do on your own, try our Top 10 Hikes in NJ, Best Hikes in NJ, Best Hikes Central Jersey, Best Hikes South Jersey, Easy Hikes, or our Hike Finder map.
For group hikes check out one of the First Day Hikes that the New Jersey State Parks are holding across the state on January 1, 2025 plus a few more listed below.
And for links to First Day Hikes for each of the 50 states, visit America’s State Parks.
Some New Jersey First Day Hikes for 2025 include:
For times, meeting locations, and more information for the State Park events listed below check the New Jersey State Park’s First Day Hikes page. Note the first two listings are on New Year’s Eve.
- High Point “First Day Challenge” Hike – Difficult to Strenuous ~ 6 miles
- Kittatinny Valley State Park “Walk on the Wildside” – Moderate ~ 3 miles
- Liberty State Park – Caven Point – Easy slow ~ 3 miles
- Paulinskill Valley Trail – Annual New Year’s Day Hike – Moderate/flat ~ 4 miles
- Ringwood S.P. First Day hike – Moderate ~ 1 miles
Related: Gifts for Hikers | Hiking Clothing | Hiking Footwear
- Allaire State Park – Be the First to Hike Allaire – Moderate ~ 4 miles
- D&R Canal / Tour of Trenton – Moderate ~ 3.5 miles
- Forest Resource Education Center – Easy ~ 1.5 miles
- Island Beach – First Day Hike – Easy, flat/sandy ~ 1.5mile
- Monmouth Battlefield – Where Molly Pitcher Fought – Moderate ~ 2.5 miles
- Washington Crossing Naturalist Guided Hike – Easy ~ 2 miles
- Bass River State Forest – Nisky Trail – Moderate ~ 3 miles
- Belleplain State Forest – First Day Nature Hike – Slow ~ 3 miles
- Belleplain State Forest – 10th Annual Dog Hike – Moderate ~ 6 miles
- Brendan T. Byrne State Forest – Cranberry Trail – Moderate ~ 6 miles
- Double Trouble State Park First Day Jaunt – Easy ~ 1.5 miles
- Parvin First of the Year Nature Walk – Easy ~ 3 miles
- Rancocas S.P. (Hainesport) – Moderate ~ 3.5 miles
See Also: Winter Hiking | Traction Devices
- Tall Pines – 5th Annual First Day Hike – Moderate ~ 1.5 miles
- Voorhees S.P. – One Last Time for Auld Land Syne Hike – Moderate ~ 2 miles
- Wharton State Forest – Atsion Family Camp Trail – Moderate ~ 2.2 miles
- Wharton State Forest – Sunrise Hike to Apple Pie Hill and tower climb – Moderate ~ 2.5 miles (due to popularity there is a drawing for spots, see park listing)
- Wharton State Forest – First Day Hike to Apple Pie Hill and tower climb – Moderate ~ 8 miles
- Whitesbog Village – First Day Hike (+Gen. Store open for refreshments) – Moderate ~ 4 miles
2025 First Day Hikes in New Jersey (other than State Parks)
Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve – West Milford, NJ
11:00 AM
Explore the site of extensive restoration work to bring the headwaters of the West Brook back to life. RSVP.
2025 First Day Hikes near New Jersey (PA/NY)…
Washington Crossing Historic Park – Washington Crossing, PA
11:00am – 12:00pm
Start your New Year and 2025 off right with a moderate 2-mile hike through the crisp January air!
Register and receive the meeting location for this program.
Wissahickon Creek Gorge – Pennsylvania
1:00 PM
6 miles. Meet at 1:00 p.m. at 8986 Crefeld Street (40.07704,-75.21694) for our annual New Year’s Day hike through this spectacular gorge. Parking is along the street. RSVP required. Cost $1.00.
More… First Day Hikes in Pennsylvania
See Also: Snowshoe Guide | Snowshoeing in New Jersey
Bear Mountain State Park (New York – Palisades)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
We will follow the Appalachian Trail for 1.5 miles to the top of the mountain and Perkins Memorial Tower. There we will pause and take in the view. We will then return to the Inn via the Appalachian Trail. Parking will be at Bear Mountain Inn and will cost 10$ per car. Meet-up Location: In front of the Hiker’s Cafe at the Bear Mountain Inn. Age Minimum: 8+, Approximate distance of hike: 3 Miles. Leashed pets welcome.
Registration: Not required.
More… First Day Hikes in New York.