Photo: Thomsonmg2000, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
First Day Hikes are ranger-led walks in Georgia’s state parks and historic sites on New Year’s Day, part of a nationwide movement started by America’s State Parks. They range from easy, kid-friendly strolls to longer treks, and everyone who joins a ranger-led hike gets a free First Day Hikes sticker. Here is how they work, the hikes already posted for Friday, January 1, 2027, and the best parks near Atlanta for a New Year’s Day hike on your own. We checked the listings on October 22, 2026.
- DateFriday, January 1, 2027
- What it isGuided New Year’s Day hikes led by park rangers; free sticker for hikers
- CostMost hikes charge a small program fee plus the $10 ParkPass, or historic site admission
- Full listGeorgia State Parks posts hikes as parks add them; most are listed in December
How First Day Hikes Work
Ranger-led
Each hike is led by park staff or volunteers, often with a story about the park’s history or nature along the way. Some parks add sunrise or sunset hikes, hot chocolate or a historian guide.
All levels
Distances and difficulty vary, from short, wheelchair-accessible walks to long, steep hikes. Each listing gives the trail, distance and difficulty.
Fees
Most hikes have a small program fee. State parks also charge the $10 daily ParkPass (or use an annual pass); historic sites charge admission instead.
The sticker
Everyone who completes a ranger-led First Day Hike gets a free First Day Hikes sticker.
Hikes are posted one by one on the Georgia State Parks events calendar as parks plan them, and most appear in December. Call the park listed with questions about parking, difficulty or how early to arrive.
First Day Hikes Already Posted for 2027
These are the New Year’s Day 2027 hikes on the official Georgia State Parks calendar as of October 22, 2026. Many more parks usually add hikes in December.
Victoria BryantSunrise and sunset hikes
WormsloeLive Oak Avenue
Panola MountainA granite mountain near Atlanta
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Martin LaBar, CC0; Dsdugan, CC0; Jflo23, CC BY-SA 3.0.
| Park | Hike | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Bryant State Park, Royston | Sunrise hike on Victoria’s Path, with photos of the sunrise at Pond 2 | 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. | 2 miles, moderate; $5 plus parking; 706-245-6270 |
| Pickett’s Mill Battlefield, Dallas | “Upon These Grounds”: battlefield stories hikes, one led by author and historian Brad Butchovich | 9:30 a.m. | Free hot chocolate; $3 to $7; 770-443-7850 |
| Wormsloe Historic Site, Savannah | Along historic Live Oak Avenue to the pollinator field and back | 10 a.m. to noon | About 2 miles; $3.25 to $12; 912-353-3023 |
| Victoria Bryant State Park, Royston | Sunset hike on the Inner Loop Trail and Victoria’s Path | 5:10 to 6:10 p.m. | 2.3 miles, intermediate; $5 plus parking; 706-245-6270 |
Can’t make New Year’s Day? Pickett’s Mill also holds a “First Saturday Hike” on January 2, 2027, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For the latest list, search “First Day Hike” on the Georgia State Parks events calendar.
Best Parks for a New Year’s Day Hike Near Atlanta
Whether or not a ranger-led hike is posted, these parks make a good start to the year. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta without traffic.
Sweetwater Creek State Park
A creekside trail to the ruins of a Civil War-era mill. About 17 miles, 25 minutes.
Panola Mountain State Park
Trails around a protected granite mountain, with ranger-led hikes onto the mountain itself on scheduled dates. About 19 miles, 30 minutes.
Pickett’s Mill Battlefield
One of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields in the country, with wooded trails past earthworks. About 34 miles, 55 minutes.
Red Top Mountain State Park
12 miles of trails on Lake Allatoona, with winter lake views through bare trees. About 40 miles, 50 minutes.
Hard Labor Creek State Park
More than 24 miles of trails near Rutledge. About 52 miles, 1 hour 5 minutes.
Amicalola Falls State Park
Start the year at Georgia’s tallest waterfall, 729 feet. About 74 miles, 1 hour 35 minutes.
For longer drives, Cloudland Canyon and Tallulah Gorge are spectacular in winter, when the bare trees open up the canyon views. Compare every park in our 25 best state parks in Georgia.
Hiking on Your Own on January 1
State parks are open on New Year’s Day; most are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pay the ParkPass at the kiosk or by QR code if the office is closed. Pick a trail you know, tell someone your plan, and plan to be off the trail before sunset, which comes before 6 p.m. in early January. For trail ideas, see the best hikes in North Georgia and outdoor things to do in Atlanta.
Tips for a Winter Hike
Layer up
January mornings are often below freezing, especially in the mountains. Wear layers you can shed, plus a hat and gloves.
Watch for ice
Rocks, boardwalks and stairs near waterfalls can ice over. Wear boots with good grip and skip slick sections.
Arrive early
Popular parks fill up on New Year’s Day. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before a guided hike starts.
Bring water and a snack
Cold weather still dehydrates you, and park stores may be closed on the holiday.
Celebrating the night before? See New Year’s Eve in Atlanta and Georgia. Staying over? See Georgia state park cabins.
Common Questions
What are First Day Hikes?
Guided New Year’s Day hikes led by park rangers at state parks across the country. In Georgia they are held at state parks and historic sites, and hikers get a free First Day Hikes sticker.
Do First Day Hikes in Georgia cost money?
Most charge a small program fee, plus the $10 ParkPass at state parks or admission at historic sites. Check each hike’s listing.
When is the list of First Day Hikes posted?
Parks add hikes to the Georgia State Parks events calendar over the fall; most are posted in December.
Are Georgia state parks open on New Year’s Day?
Yes. Most state parks are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., including January 1.
Sources we checked
Hike listings were checked on the official Georgia State Parks calendar on October 22, 2026. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing. Hikes are added through December, so check before you go:
- Georgia State Parks: First Day Hikes: program details and sticker
- Georgia State Parks events calendar: 2027 hikes, times, fees and phone numbers
- Georgia State Parks: ParkPass: parking fee
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.