Dozens of Georgia State Parks to offer First Day Hikes

Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites talks about hiking

Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites is kicking off a new program named First Day Hikes on Jan. 1. Paul Milliken went to Sweetwater Creek State Park to talk to them about the program.

LITHIA SPRINGS, Ga. - There’s still time to ask Santa for one more present under the tree, and we have a suggestion: hiking boots! That way, you’ll be ready to start the new year with a refreshing hike at one of Georgia’s incredible state parks.

Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites is launching 2025 by hosting First Day Hikes at dozens of parks across the state on January 1st, giving adventurers of all ages and abilities a chance to explore the natural wonders right in their own backyards. Parks offering the guided hikes include Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, Don Carter State Park in Gainesville, Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, and Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge — for a full list, click here.

Our local First Day Hikes are part of a larger movement, created by America’s State Parks as a way to encourage people to start the new year by connecting with nature. This year, more than 1,000 First Day Hikes will take place across the country.

First Day Hikes in Georgia

Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites is kicking off their First Day Hikes program. Paul Milliken joined them at Sweetwater Creek State Park on Friday morning to talk about the new program.

Now, we know 2024 isn’t quite over yet — but we just couldn’t wait to get outdoors and do some hiking with our friends at Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. Click the video player in this article to check out our morning on the trails at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs!