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First State, First Day, First Hike


Join Delaware State Parks in celebrating the first day of the New Year with a refreshing hike in the park. Parks statewide will host a First State, First Day, First Hike program to celebrate the national movement sponsored by America’s State Parks to have all 50 states offer First Day Hikes. Join us in celebrating America’s State Parks and your Delaware State Parks!

Alapocas Run State Park

Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Location: Can-Do Playground parking lot
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Minimum recommended age for kids:None
Restrictions: None
Length of Trail: 1 mile
Things to Bring: Water; dress for the weather
Call for pre-registration and directions: (302) 222-7436

Start the New Year with an invigorating one-mile hike. Dress for the weather (layers of clothing, winter shoes, hats and gloves) and bring drinking water. Pre-register by December 28. In the case of inclement weather, call (302) 222-7436 for cancellations. Free

Brandywine Creek State Park

Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
Minimum recommended age for kids:4
Restrictions: None
Length of Trail: 1.5 miles
Things to Bring: Water; dress for the weather
Call for pre-registration and directions: (302) 655-5740

"Resolve" to have more fun in the park! Take an invigorating hike through the woods and meadows. Keep an eye out for other critters enjoying the day. Free

Cape Henlopen State Park

Time: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Point parking lot
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
Minimum recommended age for kids: 7
Restrictions: No dogs
Length of Trail: 1.6 miles
Things to Bring: Water; dress for the weather
Call for pre-registration and directions: (302) 645-6852

Start off the New Year with a hike around the Point to learn about how this feature formed and what sorts of life it supports. Free.

Fort DuPont State Park

Time: 2 p.m.
Location:Fort DuPont fishing point, river end of Wilmington Avenue
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Minimum age for kids: 3
Restrictions: None
Length of Trail: 1.5 miles
Things to Bring: Water; dress for the weather
Call for pre-registration and directions: (302) 834-7941

Join the staff of Fort DuPont State Park for a First Day Hike around this former military post, which was active from the Civil War to the end of World War II. We’ll start with a walking tour of the buildings that made up Fort DuPont, and then follow the Riverview Trail to check out the scenery and the vintage 1890 gun batteries.

Killens Pond State Park

Time: 3-4 p.m.
Location: Killens Pond Nature Center
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Minimum recommended age for kids: 6
Restrictions: None
Length of Trail: 2 miles
Things to Bring: Water; dress for the weather
Call for pre-registration and directions: (302) 284-4299

Join us for an invigorating hike on the first day of 2013! Bundle up and meet us at the Nature Center to walk the trails.

Trap Pond State Park

Time:10 a.m.
Location: Meet at the Baldcypress Nature Center
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Minimum recommended age for kids:None
Restrictions: None
Length of Trail: 1.5 miles
Things to Bring: Water; dress for the weather
Call for information: Baldcypress Nature Center at (302) 875-5163

Take your first hike of the year in the First State’s first park! Take an easy 1.5-mile hike on the American Holly Trail. Dress for the weather, and meet at the Nature Center.

White Clay Creek State Park

Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Carpenter Recreation Area (880 New London Road, Newark DE 19711)
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Minimum recommended age for kids:All ages
Restrictions: None
Length of Trail: 4 miles
Things to Bring: Water; snack; dress for the weather
Call for pre-registration and directions: (302) 368-6900
Cancellation Information: (302) 368-6560

Start your new year off right with a healthy afternoon hike. This program is led by members of the Friends of White Clay Creek State Park. Free