Florida State Parks: First Day Hikes Jan 1 2023

[Teresa]

We’re excited to welcome the new year, and what better way to celebrate than with a walk in the woods?​

First Day Hikes is a national event where tens of thousands of people get outdoors on New Year's Day. It’s a celebration of the new year and a way to start it right with a relaxing walk outdoors.​

Whether you’re a seasoned park veteran or just finding us for the first time, there’s no better way to kick off a new year than with a First Day Hike!

Organized in state parks across the country, thousands of people participate in First Day Hikes every January 1. Varying from short strolls to longer treks, these hikes offer a variety of ways for people to get outdoors and start the new year on the right foot.

Some Florida State Parks offer self-guided or ranger-led First Day Hikes. Of course, you don’t need a guide to explore our state parks! Anyone can participate in their own First Day Hike, whether on your own or with family and friends. There are 175 state parks across Florida, each with their own stories to tell. Sometimes the best way to see a park is simply to print out a map or get one from the ranger station.

If you haven’t heard about First Day Hikes before and want to try one, don’t worry – it’s simple! All hikes aim to create a fun experience for the whole family. If you have guests from out of town, First Day Hikes are a great way to show off your area and have a memorable experience with the chance to spot birds, deer and other Florida wildlife. Remember to share your experience with the #FirstDayHikes hashtag.

So, begin 2023 with a focus on your physical and mental well-being with a First Day Hike in one of Florida's state parks.

Hiking Safety​

Hiking is fun and a healthy way to exercise. Here are few tips:

• Stay on the trail. Wandering off the trail can cause erosion and you could be injured or become lost.
• Be courteous and observe trail etiquette. Communicate with others as you pass.
• Bring supplies. You’ll need drinking water, insect repellent, sunscreen and a hat.
• Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes to help prevent injury.
• Never feed or touch wildlife. If you encounter wildlife on the trail, keep your distance and back away slowly.

We hope to see you in a Florida State Park this new year. There’s no better way to experience… the Real Florida ℠.

Florida State Parks

First Day Hikes 2023

First Day Hikes is a national event where tens of thousands of people get outdoors on New Year's Day. It’s a celebration of the new year and a way to start it right with a relaxing walk outdoors.

www.floridastateparks.org

 

[Teresa]

First Day Hikes in the South Walton area:

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Ranger Guided First Day Hike
Sunday, January 1, 2023 9:00 am

Join Rangers Robert and Julie to learn about the flora and fauna of Topsail Hill Preserve Staet Park. Meet at the Day-Use Parking Lot 9am. Distance approx. one mile.

Self-guided hikes on over 15 miles of park trails available all day, 8am til sunset.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
7525 W. County Highway 30A
Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459

FEES
Free with paid park entry.



Camp Helen State Park

Sunday, January 1, 2023 10:00 am - 11:00 am CST

Camp Helen State Park
23937 Panama City Beach Parkway
Panama City Beach FL 32413

DIRECTIONS
Meet in the visitor center.

FEES
Program is free with paid park entry of $4 per vehicle.

DESCRIPTION
Start the new year off on the right foot with a nature hike at Camp Helen State Park.
Led by our park ranger staff, this tour will take place on our mixed-use trails meandering through the park. Rangers will share about the abundant natural and cultural history of the park.
Event Essential Eligibility Criteria

Self-Guided First Day Hikes
Take yourself on a First Day Hike at any of our beautiful State Parks or Forests such as Deer Lake State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, Eden Gardens State Park, Henderson Beach State Park and other parks, forests, and trails throughout the South Walton area and along the Emerald Coast. Enjoy the first day of 2023 surrounded by nature.

 

[Teresa]

update:

DETAILS​

What: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: Ranger-Guided First Day Hike
When: Sunday, January 1, 2023
Time: 9:00 am
Where: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Celebrate the new year with a Ranger-Guided First Day Hike at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on January 1 starting at 9am. Join Rangers Robert and Julie to learn about the flora and fauna of Topsail Hill Preserve Staet Park. Meet at the Day-Use Parking Lot 9am. Distance approx. one mile.
Self-guided hikes on over 15 miles of park trails available all day, 8am til sunset. Your adventure begins at the day use parking lot. Free with paid park entry.

TOPSAIL HILL PRESERVE STATE PARK TRAILS & INFO
The park offers a terrific variety of trails. The Beach Tram Trail and the Campbell Lake Bike Trail are both paved, making great for a pleasant bike ride under longleaf pines. The No Name Lake Trail takes walkers the smallest of the Coastal Dune Lakes in the park.

The Turpentine Trail winds through pine forests once prized for their turpentine, or resin. Here, visitors may spot “cat-face” pine trees, named for the distinctive cuts made by workers harvesting turpentine in the late-19th and early-20th century. Along the Deer Track Trail visitors will see Campbell Lake, a rare coastal dune lake dotted with water lilies, as well as carnivorous pitcher plants.
The Old Growth Trail reaches the far western portions of the park. Morris Lake Trail meanders through ancient dunes and scrub communities. Here, the pure white sand underfoot makes for a beautiful and challenging hike. Along this trail visitors can see remnants of a World War II missile testing program, including an old iron transport track.

To access all trails, enter the park at 7525 W. County Hwy 30, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. All trail heads start at the day use parking lot and split off further into the park. Make sure to pick up a trail map at the ranger station. Please be safe and take a cell phone, hat, sunscreen, bug spray and plenty of water to enjoy a serene walk through Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.
Topsail offers 3 miles of pristine beaches and is a bird-watching and hiking paradise. The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Learn more at Florida State Parks: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
7525 W. County Highway 30A
Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459