Name: First Day Hike
Start: 2026-01-01T06:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-01-01T20:30:00-06:00
Location: Various locations

First Day Hike

January 1, 2026 @ 6:00 am - 8:30 pm

Free

A First Day Hike is a great way to enter the new year. Engage your family in enjoying the outdoors and our natural resources together. First Day Hike on The Ice Age Trail!

Celebrate with the Ice Age Trail
- - 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
  - The chapter has organized three guided loop hikes:
    - Family-Friendly 1 mile hike on a paved path
    - 2 mile option
    - 3+ mile option
  - Each hike will be guided by knowledgeable leaders who will share information on various points of interest. Dress for the weather. Ice cleats may be helpful. These hikes are free, although a park sticker or day pass is required for entrance to Lapham Peak.
  - Follow Ice Age Trail Event signs to Trecker Lodge at Lapham Peak in the Homestead Hollow area.
  - Great way to kick off the New Year! Join Ice Age Trail volunteers for one of three guided hikes along the Ice Age Trail segment in Lapham Peak State Forest. Family friendly “Tyke Hike” and two longer distance hikes. Join in for snacks and hot chocolate and to learn more about the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Just look for the yellow signs when you enter the park!
Celebrate with a first day hike at Lapham Peak.
- - Noon
    - Family Friendly 1 mile paved path
    - 2 mile wooded path
    - 3.5 mile mostly wooded path
Celebrate with a first day hike at Retzer Nature Center.
- - Open year-round from sunrise to 10:00 p.m.
  - Check out their variety of hiking trail experiences HERE.
Celebrate the first day of 2026 at the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit at the Scuppernong Trail Head. Choose between a 2.3, 4, or 5 mile loop and start the new year in nature!
Kick off the new year at the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit for their annual First Day Hike.
- - Join the DNR staff and members of the Ice Age Trail Alliance to kick off the new year on a high note!
  - This guided hike has two options: a 2-mile loop or a 3-mile loop. So come out and enjoy the crisp winter air, quality time with the community and a cozy finish with a giant bonfire.
  - Meet at the Pike Lake Amphitheater, 3250 Kettle Moraine Rd. Hartford, WI 53027.
  - This hike is being held in conjunction with the Friends of Pike Lake. Additionally, the park staff will have a giant bonfire going at the amphitheater so you can warm up after the hike and socialize with the staff and other hike participants.
    LOCATION: The hike will start from the amphitheater near the beach parking lot at the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest in Hartford. A valid Wisconsin state park sticker is required for this event. If you purchased your sticker in January 2025, you will need a new one for this event so plan ahead to avoid delays. Click here for driving directions. Click here for a park map. Watch for yellow “Ice Age Trail Event” signs.
    
    HIKE DESCRIPTION: Three hike routes will be offered. The longest hike of 2.9 miles will follow the orange loop trail along Pike Lake, turn east to climb the glacial ridge, then meet up with the Ice Age Trail and descend back down to the parking lot. About halfway through the hike participants will have the option to use the green trail as a shortcut, eliminating some climbing and cutting the total distance to about 2 miles. The DNR staff will also lead a shorter hike on the accessible boardwalk trail for families with little ones or those who only want to go 0.5 miles.
    
    WHAT TO BRING: Wear comfortable hiking boots and dress appropriately for the weather. Trail conditions may be slippery or icy. Bring water and your camera.
    
    HIKE LEADERS: Sue Munger (and we could use a few more volunteers due to the large turnout expected, email the chapter if you are interested)
Kick off the New Year at Richard Bong State Recreation Area
- - Meet at Shelter 1, where concessions may be purchased
  - Trail is relatively flat, but may have steeper points along the way
  - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
  - This event is weather-dependent.
  - Find additional details on the DNR Website.
The DNR has self-guided First Day Hikes in lieu of a group hike.
- - Read the full press release here. An excerpt:

Celebrate the new year by stepping into the outdoors with a First Day Hike. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will join in the annual adventure sponsored by America’s State Parks on New Year’s Day for the 12^th year in a row.

Each year Wisconsinites join the thousands of people across the nation to kick off the new year by hiking at state parks, forests or trails on New Year’s Day. These hikes provide a way for individuals and families to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, exercising and connecting with nature. For many it has become a cherished tradition.

“Getting active outdoors through hiking or other forms of winter recreation is a great way to connect with family and friends in a healthy way. Start the year out right with a hike at a Wisconsin state park,” said Steve Schmelzer, DNR Park and Recreation Management Program Bureau Director.

With over 22 million visitors, Wisconsin state parks, forests and trails feature some of the Midwest’s best scenery. The change in seasons doesn’t mean an end to exploring the outdoors. Wisconsin’s beautiful state parks, forests and trails offer opportunities to get outdoors – even in winter.

Guided hikes will be available at several properties across the state including Newport, Roche-a-Cri, Buckhorn, Governor Thompson, Amnicon Falls and Mirror Lake state parks as well as at Richard Bong State Recreation Area and the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center.

Participants are also welcome to create their own first day hikes by exploring Wisconsin’s state parks open year-round, each offering a variety of scenic winter hiking opportunities to explore. Visit the DNR’s Find A Park webpage to locate a park near you.

First day hike participants are invited to share their adventures using the hashtags #OutWiGo and #FirstDayHike on Instagram.

Additional opportunities to hike by moonlight or candlelight trails will be held throughout the winter. For a complete listing of first day hikes and candlelight events, check out the DNR events calendar here.

Properties may have restroom facilities and warming shelters available during these events. To help slow the spread of COVID-19, visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing and wear a face covering if social distancing cannot be followed.

A vehicle admission sticker is required to visit state park system properties. Stickers can be purchased online, at individual properties via self-registration stations, electronic kiosks or drive-up window service (select properties only).

Find more information about Wisconsin state parks, locate a park near you or find a map to plan your First Day Hike here.

Waukesha County Parks Department invites all to spend January 1 outdoors taking a hike at one of their county parks. This is also a self-guided hike with no formal event. Find the parks for hiking hiking.

Related Posts:

January in Lake Country

New Year’s Guide to Lake Country and Waukesha County