Thank you for coming out and taking part in our 2022 First Day Hikes! If you didn’t already, please take a moment to fill out our feedback form and let us know how many miles your group covered!
This Year's Hikes
Alapocas Run State Park
10 a.m. - noon - Northern Delaware Greenway Trail
Check-in location: Blue Ball Barn, Courtyard Entrance
Start your year off right with a self-guided hike on the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail that runs through Alapocas Run State Park. Start at the Blue Ball Barn and walk as long as you want. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Mixed, Easy & Moderate
- Accessible? Yes - Paved
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 2 miles one way
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather
- Contact for more information: 302-577-1164
Auburn Valley State Park
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Yorklyn Bridge Trail and Auburn Valley Loop Trail
Check-in location: Park pavilion on Yorklyn Rd. Parking will be in the lot and in the empty lots of Dewpoint Brewery.
Join this nationwide event and start 2022 in the fresh bracing air of the Red Clay Valley! This hike will start along the Yorklyn Bridge trail at the park pavilion. From there you'll hike through the ruins of an industrial complex and then up into the wild and undisturbed sweep of the Auburn Valley Loop Trail which overlooks the DE/PA border. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Moderate, some hills
- Accessible? Yorklyn Bridge Yes, Auburn Valley Loop No
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 2.8 mile loop there and back again
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather, and wear hats and sunglasses for shade due to exposed nature of the trail
- Contact for more information: 302-729-4280
Bellevue State Park
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Bellevue Trail
Check-in location: Top of Main Parking Lot
Step into 2022 with your best foot forward! Hike with family and friends on our self-guided hike through Bellevue, and your new year is sure to start off well. Remember to stop by our table at the top of the parking lot for the route! Public bathrooms available by the table. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible? No - Paved, some sloped areas, gravel at the end
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 1.12 miles
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, bring water.
- Contact for more information: 302-761-6963
Brandywine Creek State Park
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Meadows Trail
Check-in location: Outside nature center
Begin again! Come enjoy sweeping vistas as you walk the meadow trail to ring in the New Year! Hike is self-guided with QR info stops along the way to learn about our meadows. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Mixed, Easy & Moderate
- Accessible? No - Grass, dirt, rocks
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 1 mile
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, bring water.
- Contact for more information: 302-655-5740
Brandywine Zoo
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Path through the zoo
Check-in location: Ticket window
Join us for a self-guided “hike” of temporary interpretive signs around the zoo focusing on some snapshots from the zoo's historic past plus some modern updates on our Master Plan progress. Free.
- Hike Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible? Yes - Paved, some sloped areas
- Restrictions: Service animals only
- Length of hike: 1/10 of a mile
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather
- Contact for more information: 302-571-7788 ext 209
Cape Henlopen
11 a.m. - noon - The Point
Check-in location: The Point parking area
Join the national movement! Get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and start your new year off right with a First Day Hike! Start at the Point overlook. Park at the Point Comfort Station parking lot. Ages 5 and up. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Moderate
- Accessible? No - Sand
- Restrictions: No pets allowed
- Length of hike: 2.0 miles
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather
- Contact for more information: 302-645-6852
Delaware Seashore
noon - 1 p.m. - Indian River Inlet Bridge
Check-in location: North Inlet Day Area
Join the national movement! Get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and start your new year off right with a First Day Hike! Meet at the North Inlet Day Area. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible? Yes - Paved
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 0.75 miles
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather
- Contact for more information: 302-227-6991
First State Heritage Park
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Experience Historic Dover
Check-in location: The John Bell House (43 The Green)
Out with the old, in with the new! Start 2022 out right with a refreshing, rejuvenating hike on the first day of the new year. Self-guided tour booklets will be available throughout the day - these will take you on a leisurely stroll through Dover's historic neighborhoods. We're looking forward to setting the tone of the year to come with you!
- Hike Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible? Yes - Some rough cobblestones and street crossings
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 1.0 miles
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, bring water.
- Contact for more information: 302-739-9194
Fort DuPont State Park
10 a.m. - noon - Riverview Trail
Check-in location: Riverview Trail Trailhead
Start the new year off right with a First Day Hike! Pick up a trail map and a self-guided brochure at our check-in station at the trailhead and enjoy a hike through historic Fort DuPont. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible? No - Crushed stone and grass
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 1 mile
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather, bring waterproof shoes, bring water/snacks if needed.
- Contact for more information: 302-834-7941
Fort Miles
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Artillery Park
Check-in location: Orientation Building
Start your year off right with a self-guided exploration of the Fort Miles Artillery Park. Those looking to add a little more history and distance can also hike to Battery Hunter and discover its importance in coastal defense. Meet at the Orientation Building. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Artillery Park: Easy Battery Hunter extension: Moderate
- Accessible? Yes - Paved
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: .25 miles, 2 miles with Battery Hunter extension
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather
- Contact for more information: 302-644-5007
Holts Landing
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Sea Hawk Trail
Check-in location: Holts picnic pavilion
Join the national movement! Get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and start your new year off right with a First Day Hike! Meet at the Holts Landing Picnic Pavilion. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible? Yes - Crushed stone
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 1.3 miles
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather
- Contact for more information: 302-227-6991
Killens Pond State Park
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. - Bike Trail
Check-in location: Pavilion 1
Join the national movement! Get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and start your new year off right with a First Day Hike! Meet at Pavilion 1 at the Sports Complex Area. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Moderate
- Accessible? Yes - Crushed stone and paved
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 2 miles, with length option
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather
- Contact for more information: 302-284-4299
Lums Pond State Park
noon - 4 p.m. - Swamp Forest Trail/ Little Jersey Trail
Check-in location: Nature Center
Bring in the New Year outdoors! This year's first day hike will be self-guided along the swamp forest trail. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible? Swamp Forest No, Little Jersey Yes
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 2 miles
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather and bring water
- Contact for more information: 302-368-6989
Lums Pond State Park
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Swamp Forest Trail
Check-in location: Area 1 Pavilion
Bring in the New Year outdoors! This year's first day hike will be self-guided along the swamp forest trail. Free
- Hike Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible? No - Crushed stone and hard packed dirt
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 6.4 miles
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather and bring water
- Contact for more information: 302-368-6989
Trap Pond State Park
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Bob Trail and others
Check-in location: Nature Center
Stop at the Baldcypress Nature Center to pick up your map and choose your own First Day Hike at Trap Pond State Park. Park staff can help you choose trail lengths between one half and seven miles.
- Hike Difficulty: Easy- Moderate
- Accessible? Yes - Crushed Stone
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 1.1 American Holly Loop back to Bob
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather
- Contact for more information: 302-875-5163
White Clay Creek State Park
10 a.m. - noon - Tri-Valley Trail
Check-in location: Smith Mill Parking Lot
Start the year off right with a self-guided hike on the Tri-Valley trail. The Friends of White Clay will be staffing a table from 10 to noon at the Smith Mill road parking lot if you have any questions.
- Hike Difficulty: Easy, some hills
- Accessible? Yes - Paved
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 2.5 out and back to Newark China Clay site
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather and bring water
- Contact for more information: 302-368-6900
White Clay Creek State Park
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - PennDel and Pomeroy
Check-in location: Nature Center Parking Lot
Start the year off right with a self-guided hike on the PennDel and Pomeroy trails, there is also a virtual hike you can scan with your smartphone and follow along. A naturalist will be on the Nature Center porch from 1 to 3 p.m. if you have any questions.
- Hike Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible? Pomeroy Yes, PennDel No
- Restrictions: Pets must be on a max. 6-foot leash
- Length of hike: 2.29 mile loop
- What to bring with you: Dress for the weather and bring water
- Contact for more information: 302-368-6900
