BATESVILLE, Ind. — As people across the state are thinking about Christmas Parties and New Year’s Celebrations, the Indiana DNR is planning to kick off 2017 with its First Day Hikes and Horse Rides at Indiana’s State Parks on January 1.
The DNR says that First Day Hikes are a healthy way to start 2017 and a chance to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature, and connect with friends.
There will be 32 First Day events throughout the state.
- Brookville Lake, 4 p.m.: Meet at the Mounds State Recreation Area campground shelter house for an easy 0.7-mile hike on the Wildlife Wander Loop Trail. The hike should last about 45 minutes. Hot cocoa and a fire will be available afterward.
- Brown County State Park, 11 a.m.: Meet in front of Abe Martin Lodge for a “Hills ’n’ Hollers” hike. The 1.5- to 2-mile hike will last about an hour. After the hike, a hot chocolate bar will be available at the lodge.
- Charlestown State Park, 10 a.m.: Meet at the Trail 3 parking lot for a Rose Island History Hike. At 2.4-miles long, the leisurely hike should last about two-and-a-half hours. Hikers will see the remains of an amusement park and new exhibits interpreting them. Hot cocoa will be provided.
- Clifty Falls State Park, 2 p.m.: Meet at Lookout Point for a First Day Waterfall Walk. The moderately rugged hike is 1 mile long and should last about an hour. Bring sturdy hiking shoes and a camera.
- Falls of the Ohio State Park, 1 p.m.: Meet at the interpretive center for a Falls River Greenway Hike. The 3-mile, easy hike will last about two hours as visitors hike to the George Rogers Clark home site on the Ohio River Greenway.
- Hardy Lake, 1 p.m.: Meet at the main office for a 1.5-mile-long Wildlife in the Winter Hike. The hike is moderately rugged and will last about an hour.
- McCormick’s Creek State Park, 2 p.m.: Meet at Canyon Inn for a Canyon Hike and Photo Contest. The roughly 3/4-mile hike is easy to moderate. Hikers can bring cameras or smart phones to snap photos for an optional contest. Refreshments will be available at the end of the hike.
- Monroe Lake: Monroe Lake will host the fourth annual First Day Trail Run/Walk at Fairfax State Recreation Area. Registration/check-in runs from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at Bayview Shelter. The run/walk starts at 3:30 p.m. The event is untimed. Participants can choose from a 3.5- to -4.5-mile course or a 1.5- to 2-mile course. Registering in advance costs $15. The advance registration deadline is Dec. 30.
Those who register in advance will have access to a post-event hors d’oeuvres buffet at Fourwinds Lakeside Inn. The first 300 people to register in advance will receive a commemorative patch and a $15 gift certificate for the restaurants at the Fourwinds Lakeside Inn.
Same-day registration is also $15. More information and online registration is at mag7raceseries.com - O’Bannon Woods State Park, 1 p.m.: Meet at the nature center to walk with the park’s oxen, Forest and Gump, and its donkeys, Garth and Gracie. The walk will be on a roadway for about 1 mile. Enjoy refreshments upon return to the nature center. The event is contingent on weather and road conditions.
- Spring Mill State Park, 10 a.m.: Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for a two-hour, 2.5-mile hike. Hot chocolate and coffee in the Lakeview Activity Center will be available after the hike, courtesy of Spring Mill Inn.
- Summit Lake State Park: An indoor activity for kids starts at 11:30 a.m. At noon, hikers should meet at the park office for a “Hike in the Hidden Prairie.” The hike will be 3/4-mile long along a mowed path and will last about an hour. Coffee, hot chocolate and donuts will be available.
- Versailles State Park, 2 p.m.: Meet at the pool parking lot in front of the mountain bike trailhead for a 4-mile hike. The hike will last about two hours. Sturdy hiking boots, water and hiking sticks are recommended. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome.
- Whitewater Memorial State Park, 11 a.m.: Meet at the Poplar Grove Shelter for a moderate, 2.5-mile hike on the Memorial Loop Trail. The hike will take approximately 90 minutes. Participants can drink hot cocoa around a fire afterward.
