If you're looking for a great way to ring in the New Year, your favorite Virginia State Park can help. Visit one of the 38 Virginia State Parks and participate in a First Day Hike. Hiking is a fun way for families to enjoy being outdoors together. Our Virginia State Parks have sweetened the pot with two contests.
First Day Hike New Year Challenge
Whether you take part in a guided hike or create your own adventure, use the online tool to register before December 31, 2018 to participate in the First Day Hike New Year Challenge for a chance to win a prize. After your hike, visit the same website before midnight on January 1, 2019 to acknowledge that you completed your hike. Prizes include:
Grand Prize: $500 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
First Prize: $250 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
Second Prize: $100 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
Second Prize: 10,000 Virginia State Parks Loyalty Points
Photo Contest
Take a photo on New Year's Day while on your Virginia State Park First Day Hike, then upload your photo to the contest site before 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 1. You can enter up to three photos in the contest. You can read the rules of the contest on the VSP website. Winners will be chosen by the Virginia State Park marketing staff. Prizes for the photo contest include:
Grand Prize: $500 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
First Prize: $250 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
Second Prize: $100 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
Third Prize: $66 Virginia State Parks Gift Certificate
First Day Hikes at Virginia State Parks near Lynchburg
High Bridge Trail State Park in Rice, 11 AM - 12 PM, meet at Camp Paradise Parking Area
As part of our First Day Hike activities, bring your fur-ever friend and celebrate the new year by taking a mile hike under the bridge with your pet.
The Southside SPCA will be in attendance with some information about adoptions and Walker's Diner will be donating complimentary dog biscuits.
Please note that all pets must be on a physical leash no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your dog as well. There is a doggie bag station located at Camp Paradise for your convenience.
High Bridge Trail State Park in Rice, 1 PM - 2 PM, meet at Camp Paradise Parking Area
Get a head start on your New Year Resolution to be more active. Join us for a 1 mile hike and history tour around Camp Paradise Fort and over the bridge. Enjoy refreshments provided by the Friends of High Bridge Trail. Please wear athletic shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring plenty of water. Parking fees are waived for the day. The first 100 visitors will receive a First Day Hikes bumper sticker. Find out about our contests at https://vasp.fun/2019firstdayhikes - top prize is a $500 gift certificate for both contests.
Holliday Lake State Park in Appomattox, 10 AM - 4 PM, meet at Shelter #2
Join us for our 2019 First Day Hikes:
What's Left Behind At 10 a.m. we'll discover the secret traces that animals leave behind at Holliday Lake. The cold winter weather usually means the park appears quiet, but there are actually signs of life hidden all around us. We just need to know where and how to look. This hike is about a 1 mile round trip on moderate terrain using sections of Lakeshore Trail and Northridge Trail and will last approximately an hour.
Around the Lake At 1 p.m. this guided hike around Lakeshore Trail will include stops at Northridge Overlook, Holliday Creek, and the famous 50 foot tall Holliday Lake Dam. This nearly 7 mile trip is on moderate to sometimes difficult terrain and will last almost three hours. This program is offered, weather permitting, and recommended for children 12 years of age or older.Comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, trail snacks, and weather-appropriate clothes are recommended for both hikes.Parking fees are waived for the day. The first 100 visitors will receive a First Day Hikes bumper sticker. Find out about our contests at https://vasp.fun/2019firstdayhikes - top prize is a $500 gift certificate for both contests.
James River State Park in Gladstone, 1-3 PM, meet at Visitor Center
Bring in the new year by joining us on a guided hike. First Day Hikes are being offered in state parks nation-wide to promote healthy lifestyles, and we're excited to be a part of this goal. We will hike our way up to the Tye Overlook. We'll discuss nature and history as we go. Make sure to bring your camera for pictures at the overlook. The round trip will be approximately 1.5 miles on a portion of Cabell Trail, with the first half being uphill to keep us warm, but the return trip is all downhill. After our hike, we'll spend a while in the Visitor's Center to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or warm apple cider.Parking fees are waived for the day. The first 100 visitors will receive a First Day Hikes bumper sticker. Find out about our contests at https://vasp.fun/2019firstdayhikes - top prize is a $500 gift certificate for both contests.
Natural Bridge State Park in Natural Bridge, 11 AM - 2 PM, meet at Visitor Center
Start the new year by enjoying one of Virginia's beautiful State Parks. On New Year's Day, we will offer 2 hikes for all ages and abilities. Be sure to dress for the weather, wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring along plenty of water.
11 a.m. - Legends of Natural Bridge: Meet in the front of the Visitor CenterFrom geology to biology, Jefferson to Coolidge, and creek beds to caverns, learn about the history and hear stories about the park on this easy, half-mile hike. For more information call (540) 291-1330.1
:00 p.m. - Natural Tree-Sources: Meet at the Monacan Trail HeadFrom the furniture in our homes to the food we eat, trees provide many things that we utilize every day. On this moderate 2-mile guided hike on the Monacan Trail, a ranger will reveal the hidden treasures from some of the trees found here at the park. Please call (540) 291-1330 for additional information. Free park entrance for the day. The first 100 visitors will receive a First Day Hikes bumper sticker. Find out about our contests at https://vasp.fun/2019firstdayhikes - top prize is a $500 gift certificate for both contests.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston, 1:00-2:30 PM, meet at Visitor Center
Looking for a way to keep those New Year's resolutions? We'll help you start the year off right as you walk off a few of those holiday calories. Explore our trails. Hike on your own or choose our ranger-guided hike: Walton Creek/Striper Cove - Enjoy winter views of Walton Creek, then follow the Whitetail Path connector trail to Striper Cove Trail. Here we'll pass through a newly created wildlife opening and see signs of early forest succession. The ranger will lead you on a scavenger hunt to discover winter's hidden secrets in nature. This hike is approximately 1.5 miles and is rated as moderate.This is a sun or snow event - dress for weather, wear proper footwear, and bring water. Optional: hiking staff, binoculars, and camera. Well-behaved dogs are welcome and must be leashed at all times. These trails are not appropriate for strollers.After the hike, please join us at the Discovery Center for hot cocoa and treats. To encourage everyone to get out to the park, the parking fee is waived on this date.Parking fees are waived for the day. The first 100 visitors will receive a First Day Hikes bumper sticker. Find out about our contests at https://vasp.fun/2019firstdayhikes - top prize is a $500 gift certificate for both contests.
Check out the list of all Virginia State Park First Day Hikes
Make a New Year's resolution to enjoy more family time outdoors, then start 2019 on the right foot while making memories on a Virginia State Park First Day Hike.
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