First Day Hikes in New England 2021

A mix of virtual and group First Day Hikes will be held in New England to celebrate New Year's Day 2021. This article includes a selection of First Day hikes, walks, virtual tours, hiking areas, and other resources in New England.

First Day hikes are popular with individuals and families as a way to welcome the new year while enjoying the outdoors and connecting with nature.

In 2020,  nearly 85,000 people celebrated the New Year outdoors, collectively hiking over 176,366 miles throughout the country on the guided hikes. Other participants hiked state park trails throughout the day.

In normal circumstances, America’s State Parks host a full range of First Day Hike events. According to America’s State Parks (www.stateparks.org), states will be adapting their 2021 First Day hikes to keep people safe and healthy during the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic.

Changes will include hikes with smaller groups, virtual hikes, self-guided hikes and trail challenges. States will be adding events and trails throughout the month of December. Hike distances and difficulty levels may vary from park to park.

 

New England First Day Hike Events:

Maine

Virtual Adventures - Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands

New Hampshire

Virtual First Day Hike Event - New Hampshire State Parks

Connecticut

Virtual and Self-Guided Hikes in Connecticut - Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)

Hiking Areas in New England

While many First Day hikes are affected by the pandemic, the region has plenty of public lands and other areas where individuals and families can enjoy hiking, walking, and other outdoor recreation. The following are a few locations where hiking and exploring are possible.

The Green Mountain National Forest in western Vermont is one of New England's most popular hiking destinations. A public, federally managed national forest, Green Mountain is home to miles of trails and other areas for outdoor recreation. For information about health and safety precautions for Vermont, visit https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/coronavirus-covid-19

In Northwest Massachusetts, the Mohawk Trail Woodlands encompasses 361,941 acres of northern forests, wetlands, unique geology, and a biologically diverse ecosystem.

Along the coast of Massachusetts, Cape Cod National Seashore includes miles of sandy beaches, lighthouses, marshes, ponds, cranberry bogs, and upland landscapes. Twelve walking trails at the Cape Cod seashore are open year round. Cape Cod National Seashore is located approximately 20 miles east of Hyannis, MA.

In Rhode Island, state parks and saltwater beaches are open with limitations in place. The number of parking spots will be reduced, and parking gates may need to be closed at times depending on beach capacity. For more information, visit: https://riparks.com/covid19.php

 

2021 First Day Hikes Resources

The full listing of First Day Hikes and other special programs in America’s State Parks is available at:

https://www.stateparks.org/special-programs/first-day-hikes/

America's State Parks - First Day Hikes

American Hiking Society - First Day Hikes

 

Related Information

First Day Hikes in New England 2020

Christmas in New England

First Day Hikes in New England 2020

First Day Hikes will be held Throughout New England to celebrate New Year's Day 2020. This article includes a partial listing of First Day hikes, walks, and other events in the region, listed by state.

Connecticut

State Park First Day Hikes

Burr Pond State Park,Torrington, CT

Candlewood Hill WMA, Groton, CT

Hammonasset Beach State Park (Meigs Point Nature Center), Madison, CT

James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, Hampton CT

Kettletown State Park, Southbury, CT

Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, Burlington CT

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden, CT

Topsmead State Forest,  Litchfield, CT

For more infomation, visit www.ct.gov/deep.

Maine

State Park First Day Hikes

Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal, ME

Lake St. George State Park, Liberty, ME

Lily Bay State Park, Greenville, ME

Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, Freeport, ME

Massachusetts

State Park First Day Hikes

White-tailed Deer | credit: USFWS

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) has scheduled First Day Hikes in several state parks throughout the Commonwealth.

CENTRAL
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, Uxbridge, MA
Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston, MA

NORTH
Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord, MA
Breakheart Reservation, Saugus, MA
Harold Parker State Forest, North Andover, MA
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA

SOUTH
Nickerson State Park, Brewster, MA
Shawme Crowell State Forest, Sandwich MA
Nantasket Beach, Hull MA

WEST
Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls, MA
Granville State Forest, Granville, MA
Mount Greylock State Reservation, Lanesborough, MA

For more information, visit www.mass.gov/dcr.

More First Day Hikes in Massachusetts


Rocky Woods, Medfield, Massachusetts

The Rocky Woods ranger will lead a guided hike on the property.

National Park Service Regional Visitor Center, Salem MA

The National Park Service, the City of Salem, Essex National Heritage Commission, and the Salem Historical Society invite locals and community members to participate in First Day Hike 2020. This year’s hike will focus on the importance of the Custom House to Salem’s history. For more information, visit thingstodoinsalem.com.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire State Parks and its partners will host First Day Hikes this New Year’s Day.

Milan Hill State Park, Milan, NH

Monadnock State Park, Jaffrey, NH

Odiorne Point State Park, Rye, NH

Franconia Notch State Park, Flume Gorge, Lincoln, NH

Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown, NH

For more information, visit www.nhstateparks.org/news-events/first-day-hike.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is hosting free guided walking tours at Colt State Park, in Bristol, on New Year's Day. The one-and-a-half-mile hike offers panoramic views of Narragansett Bay.

For more information, visit ri.gov.

Vermont

On New Year's Day, a variety of free, guided, family-friendly First Day hikes will be taking place at state parks and forests across Vermont. Entry to Vermont's state parks is free on New Year’s Day and all winter long.

State Park First Day Hikes

Button Bay State Park, Ferrisburgh VT

Barnes Camp, Stowe, VT

Holbrook State Park, Sheffield, VT

Gifford Woods State Park, Killington, VT

First Day Hikes Resources

America's State Parks - First Day Hikes

American Hiking Society - First Day Hikes

Vermont Christmas Trees - 2019

In November, Governor Phil Scott and Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts visited the Werner Tree Farm in Middlebury to pick out trees and mark the beginning of the 2019 Christmas season.

The trees cut during the visit will decorate the Pavilion Building in Montpelier, which houses the Governor’s Office.


“As we enter the holiday season, Vermont and its people, including our farmers, offer so many reasons to celebrate,” said Governor Phil Scott.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates the value of the Christmas tree industry in Vermont at more than $2.6 million. A 2017 USDA Census indicated there were 3,650 acres in Christmas tree production in Vermont across 70 farms.

Vermont Christmas trees decorate homes in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and other cities each year, with thousands of Green Mountain trees going to urban pop-up markets. Another popular option is to make the trip to Vermont and return home with freshly cut trees.


Werner Tree Farm is a family run farm open November-December in Middlebury, Vt. that sells Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, kissing balls, maple syrup, honey, and other products.

The Werner Tree Farm began farming Christmas trees in 1986. The Werner family encourages the public to visit and cut their own tree or choose a pre-cut tree, ready to go.

Vermont is home to many tree farms with cut-your-own tree options. Most operations offer a wide variety of natural trees and other products for the Christmas season.

Christmas trees thrive in the cool, moist climate of northern New England. Christmas trees are expertly grown and shaped to perfection by local farmers.

For a full listing of Christmas Tree Growers open to the public visit the Vermont and New Hampshire Christmas Tree Association (www.nh-vtchristmastree.org).

Christmas In New England

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse Maine | credit : NPS

Since the colonial period, Christmas has been a special time in New England. This article takes a brief look at Christmas traditions, events, things to do, and trip ideas for Christmas in New England.

Traditions

The region's natural beauty and wealth of resources have played a major role in shaping America's Christmas traditions.

Christmas traditions associated with New England include sleigh rides, ski retreats, Christmas tree farm tours, cranberry sauce, pies, seafood, and others.

Food and Drink

Food is a big part of Christmas in New England. There are usually plenty of main courses such as turkey, ham or even Maine lobster, accompanied by potatoes, winter squash, cranberry sauce, and other traditional foods. For dessert, pies are often served, especially apple, blueberry, and pumpkin. At breakfast, Vermont maple syrup is an essential topping for pancakes or waffles.

Outdoor Activities

During the Christmas season, there is no shortage of outdoor things to do in New England. Enthusiasts can enjoy skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, hiking, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and other cold weather activities. Holiday train excursions are another option for seeing the outdoors.

Along the coast, winter boat excursions offer unique views of waterfronts, historic landmarks, wildlife, and other sites. For birdwatchers, there are numerous Christmas Bird Counts held throughout New England.

Destinations

New England's diversity is part of its attraction. There are so many unique areas that are unlike anything else nearby.

Maine, the largest New England state, offers an array of experiences. There are isolated wild lands, quaint coastal towns, and many other settings.

Nearby, Massachusetts is another state with a range of settings for Christmas. Visitors can enjoy an urban holiday in Boston, celebrate in a coastal town, or explore the western part of the state.

In Vermont and New Hampshire, visitors can enjoy incredible scenery and a quiet atmosphere. Vermont has winter attractions such as the Green Mountains, ski areas, hiking trails, Lake Champlain ice fishing, top notch spas, and more.

In New Hampshire, nature lovers and outdoor adventurers can explore the White Mountains or ski one of the most extensive networks of cross-country ski trails in the East. Located near Mount Liberty in Franconia Notch State Park, the Flume Gorge is one of the state's most popular natural attractions. In Portsmouth, the Festival of Trees includes a spectacular display of lights.

Rhode Island, the smallest New England state, has plenty of things to do during the Christmas season. Christmas In Newport, a month long celebration, includes traditional lighting, mansion tours, and much more. While in Newport, visitors can take a boat tour to see seals, lighthouses, and waterfront views. Rhode Island also has lots of beaches where families can enjoy a winter walk.

In Connecticut, there are plenty of cities and coastal communities to visit. Favorite destinations include Mystic, New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, Greenwich, or other towns. Annual winter events include Winterfest Hartford, Holiday Light Fantasia (with more than 1 million lights), and the Gingerbread Festival in South Windsor.

Related Information

Where is New England?

New England Facts

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