Start Your New Year Outdoors On A Guided Hike In 3 Utah State Parks
By Courtnie Erickson|Published December 11, 2023
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
There is no better way to welcome in a new year than by spending time in Utah’s great outdoors. And, to make this even easier, three state parks in Utah are offering guided hikes to get you outside, moving your body, and enjoying some of Mother Nature’s greatest creations. This may just become your new favorite way to bring in 2024.
Antelope Island State Park, Great Salt Lake State Park, and Snow Canyon State Park are each offering a First Day Hike, a guided hike on January 1, 2024. No matter which of the three parks you visit, there’s nothing like a day outdoors in one of Utah’s greatest state parks.
Antelope Island State Park is one of Utah’s largest state parks and is home to incredible hiking trails. The First Day Hike in this state park will take you along Antelope Island’s Mountain View Trailhead.
You will meet at the trailhead at 1:00 p.m. for an adventure with the park naturalist. This guided hike is free, dogs are allowed if they remain on a leash, and you will want to prepare for the colder weather — it can be chilly.
If you plan to attend the Great Salt Lake State Park First Day Hike, you won’t want to delay registering. For this event, the hike is limited to 50 participants and you will need to register in advance. This hike begins at 8:30 a.m.
This is a unique First Day Hike as you will be led by a park ranger across Silver Sands Beach. But it isn’t just beauty that you will enjoy on this trek – it is also wildlife. This is a birdwatching walk where you'll learn about the diverse birds that live in the Great Salt Lake and you may even see a few along the way.
Bring your hiking boots and prepare for a walk that is at least 1.5 miles on sandy terrain. There is a small fee to participate in this walk, in addition to a vehicle day-use fee. Dogs are not recommended for this guided hike.
Down in southern Utah, you can enjoy the red rocks, sunshine, and warm weather on the First Day Hike at Snow Canyon State Park. This hike will begin at 1:00 p.m.
While there are many ways you can welcome in 2024, none compares to spending time outdoors, in one of Utah’s greatest state parks, and with those you love. A First Day Hike may become your new favorite tradition.
Keep in mind that to access all state parks for the First Day Hike, you will need to pay a day-use vehicle fee. For more information on each hike, and for registration information, visit the Utah State Parks website.
Do you plan to welcome in the new year on a guided hike? What are your New Year’s Day plans? Let us know in the comments!
If you are looking for other hikes in Utah to check out, consider these Utah hikes that will help you reflect on the year ahead.
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