{"id":55630,"date":"2016-12-26T16:20:50","date_gmt":"2016-12-26T22:20:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=55630"},"modified":"2017-10-01T22:00:14","modified_gmt":"2017-10-02T03:00:14","slug":"5-new-years-day-state-park-hikes-start-2017-right-foot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/5-new-years-day-state-park-hikes-start-2017-right-foot\/","title":{"rendered":"5 New Year’s Day state park hikes to start 2017 on the right foot"},"content":{"rendered":"

On January 1, while the rest of us are sweeping up confetti and nursing mimosas, thousands of Americans head into the brisk winter air for so-called\u00a0First Day Hikes<\/a>. Organized by the America’s State Parks organization, these free, guided treks are\u00a0the perfect antidote to December’s debauchery. So on New Year’s Day, load up on trail mix\u00a0and jump-start your resolution to be more active.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> 11 photos to inspire a trip to Utah<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Red

Red Rock Canyon State Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Los Angeles, CA<\/a>:<\/strong> Escape the L.A. gridlock\u00a0and head about 120 miles north to\u00a0Red Rock Canyon State Park<\/a>. At 9am, you’ll depart for a\u00a09-mile hike into the ominous-sounding Nightmare Gulch and “Secret Silent City.” The strenuous route conncludes with a climb over three ridges\u00a0and 3,000 feet of varying elevation. But the struggle is worth it; expect striking views of red rock formations\u00a0against a backdrop of endless blue skies.<\/p>\n

\"Panola

Panola Mountain State Park | Flickr CC: TranceMist<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Atlanta, GA<\/a>:<\/strong> Even if you sleep late, you can still squeeze in\u00a0a jaunt through Panola Mountain State Park<\/a>, just 20 miles southeast of the city. The conservation area, which is accessible only with a guide,\u00a0offers a half-dozen New Year’s Day hikes every hour on the hour. After a 2.5-mile\u00a0tour of the woodlands and trip to the peak of Panola, join park rangers around the campfire for the annual “Burden Burn” and some diet-busting s’mores.<\/p>\n

\"Crowders

Crowders Mountain State Park | Flickr CC: Charlie Cowins<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Charlotte, NC<\/a>: <\/strong>Earn bragging rights when you hike through two states in a single day. This 6-mile trek kicks off at\u00a0<\/strong>Crowders Mountain State Park<\/a>\u00a0in North Carolina, with Instagram-worthy\u00a0views of oaks, pines and dogwoods. The guide will lead you on to Kings Mountain State Park, South Carolina, where you’re free\u00a0to camp for the night, hike back north on your own or catch the shuttle to your car.<\/p>\n

\"Lost

Lost Dutchman State Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Phoenix, AZ<\/a>: <\/strong>Choose the time of day and level of difficulty that work best for you during one of three First Day Hikes through Lost Dutchman State Park<\/a>, about 40 miles east of Phoenix. Each excursion is about 2.5 miles long and led by a ranger or volunteer guide, who should be able to school you on exactly who this lost Dutchman guy was.<\/p>\n

\"Houghton's

Houghton’s Pond | Flickr CC: Eric Moreno<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Boston, MA<\/a>:<\/strong>\u00a0New England winters are no joke, but hopefully the sun is out by 1pm for the First Day Hike through\u00a0Blue Hills Reservation<\/a>, about 15 miles south of Beantown. Stop by Venture Scouting for a cup of cocoa to keep you warm as you set off on one of three easy-to-moderate, 1.5-mile hikes. Bring the kids for a stroll around\u00a0Houghton’s Pond, and save time for a stop at\u00a0the playground before you gather ’round the bonfire.<\/p>\n

\"Orbitz,<\/a><\/p>\n

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Hit the New Year running at one of these free and guided state hikes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":55790,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[2660,339,958],"class_list":["post-55630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-california","tag-adventure","tag-holiday-travel","tag-national-parks"],"acf":{"api_active":null,"api_title":null,"api_excerpt":null,"api_featured_image":null,"api_lob":null},"posts_api_cpm_point":[{"name":"","description":"","thumbnail":"","address":"Los Angeles, CA, USA","latitude":"34.0522342","longitude":"-118.2436849","icon":"\/images\/icons\/marker.png"}],"yoast_head":"\n5 New Year's Day state park hikes to start 2017 on the right foot | Orbitz<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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