(Fremont County, WY) – Wyoming State Parks kicked off the new year in style with the 14th annual First Day Hikes event on January 1, 2025. Across the state, 887 participants laced up their boots and hit the trails at 18 state parks and historic sites, collectively hiking 1,222 miles in a show of enthusiasm for outdoor recreation.
Three local favorites – Boysen State Park, Sinks Canyon State Park, and South Pass City State Historic Site – saw hikers enjoying crisp winter air and Wyoming landscapes. Boysen State Park welcomed 12 participants, while 44 hikers explored the natural beauty of Sinks Canyon State Park. South Pass City State Historic Site provided a unique backdrop for its nine participants.
Laurel Stephens, communications and marketing manager for Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, expressed excitement about the event’s success.
“We are thrilled to have so many people join us to kick off the New Year in such a meaningful way,” Stephens said. “First Day Hikes are a perfect opportunity to start the year surrounded by community and Wyoming’s incredible natural beauty.”
Participants had the chance to enter a drawing for a 2025 Wyoming State Parks Annual Day Use Pass and a statewide hiking-themed grand prize, encouraging continued exploration of the state’s parks throughout the year.
The event, part of a nationwide initiative by America’s State Parks, promotes physical and mental well-being through outdoor recreation. Across the country, nearly 69,000 people participated in First Day Hikes, logging over 171,000 miles.
Wyoming State Parks invites everyone to take advantage of the state’s remarkable natural and cultural resources throughout 2025. For details on upcoming events, visit wyoparks.wyo.gov.