More Than 4,000 People Hit the Trails for Maryland’s First Day Hikes

In what has become a Maryland tradition, more and more people start out the year by taking a hike. Between Dec. 31, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024, park rangers led 47 scheduled hikes and other programs with an additional 15 self-guided opportunities that were available on state public lands across Maryland. A total of nearly 4,250 people hiked about 10,700 miles during First Day Hikes in 40 different Maryland state parks on New Year’s weekend, according to data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw says these events continue to grow and thrive, and they are proud to welcome people from every corner of Maryland and beyond to our state’s gorgeous natural spaces.