Every year, North Carolina State Parks host First Day Hikes led by park staff. We are listing some of them below, but please check with ncparks.gov/events for more events.
You should feel free to take your own hike too! Check out our photo guide to hiking in N.C. State Parks.
First Day Hike at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Monday, January 1st, 2024
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ebenezer Church Day Use Access
2582 Beaver Creek Road, Apex, NC
Free
Join a Ranger on the first hike of the year! This is a nice leisurely walk on Ebenezer’s Church Trail. We will be discussing the lake’s history, Ebenezer Church and other interesting facts about the area. The walk will be on an easy grade approximate 1 mile in length and will last less than two hours. Please dress for the weather and if you have binoculars, bring them! No need to register, just show up for the hike. The trail head is located in the beach parking lot, when you first get into the parking lot, make your first left and the trail head will be on your left.
First Day Hike Scavenger Hunt
Monday, January 1, 2024
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
William B. Umstead State Park
8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC
Free
For First Day Hike 2024, William B. Umstead is offering a self-guided scavenger hunt! Stop by the visitor center to pick up the scavenger hunt sheet, choose your favorite trail at the park, and explore. After you complete the sheet, you can receive a sticker. The visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a meet and greet with a ranger, stop by Oak Rock Trailhead between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
First Day Hike — Bears!
Monday, January 1, 2024
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area — Beaverdam Access
14600 Creedmoore Road, Wake Forest, NC
Free
Get in your Fur-rraris and put a paws on your resolution. Don’t hibernate on this program, and be beary beary careful coming to Falls Lake for our First Day Hike! This easy, 1.5-mile hike will be along the Fox Trot Trail at the Beaverdam Access. Meet at Picnic Shelter 24.
First Day Hikes at Eno River State Park
Monday, January 1, 2024
2 to 3:30 p.m.
Eno River State Park — Fews Ford Access Picnic Shelter
6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC
Free
Start the New Year on the right (or left) foot with guided hikes along the Eno River! Join staff from Eno River State Park and the Eno River Association for either a 2-mile hike or a 4-mile hike. Stick around after for hot cocoa in the picnic shelter!
Both hikes will start from the picnic shelter in the Fews Ford Access parking loop.
Please arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for parking and walking to the picnic shelter. When you arrive, please follow any parking directions given by park staff or volunteers.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
Ebenezer Church Recreation Area at Jordan Lake, Apex
2582 Beaver Creek Road
Apex, NC
Willam B. Umstead State Park — Reedy Creek Gardens (Cary)
3200 N Harrison Avenue
Cary, NC
