First Day Hikes

What better way to kick off the New Year than with a visit to one of our South Carolina State Parks! 

On New Year’s Day, the South Carolina State Park Service will once again be celebrating with First Day Hikes. These hikes provide a means for individuals and families to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, exercising and connecting with nature. For many, it has become a tradition. Events include traditional hikes, horseback rides, and 5Ks. 

Share your 2025 First Day Hike moments with us by using #SCStateParks and #FirstDayHikes on social media!

Visitors will receive a commemorative sticker and a car decal while supplies last.

Check out a list of events below and visit our Program and Events page for all events!**

• First Day Hikes- January 1, 2025
  • Aiken 
    • Jungle Trail 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
    • Compartment C from 2:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.
  • Andrew Jackson 2 p.m. until 3 p.m.
  • Barnwell from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.
  • Battle of Musgrove Mill self-guided hike 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
  • Battle of Rivers Bridge from 11 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.
  • Caesars Head (pre-registration required)
    • Wildcat Wayside from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
    • Raven Cliff Falls from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
  • Calhoun Falls from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
  • Cheraw from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.
  • Chester from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.
  • Colleton from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
  • Colonial Dorchester from 10:00 a.m. until 11 a.m.
  • Croft from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
  • Devils Fork First Day 5K Ranger Run from 10 a.m. until Noon. Register here.
  • Dreher Island from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.
  • Edisto Beach from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
  • Goodale from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.
  • Hampton Plantation from 11:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.
  • Hickory Knob from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
  • Hunting Island from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. and also 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Register here.
  • Huntington Beach from 10:00 a.m. until Noon.
  • Keowee-Toxaway from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
  • Kings Mountain from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
  • Lake Hartwell from 10:30 a.m. until noon
  • Lake Warren from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
  • Lake Wateree from 8 a.m. unt 10 a.m.
  • Landsford Canal from 12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.
  • Lee 
    • First Day Hike from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
    • First Day Horseback Ride from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
  • Little Pee Dee from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
  • May Forest from 10 a.m. until Noon. Register here.
  • Myrtle Beach from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
  • Oconee from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Oconee Station from 10 a.m. until noon
  • Paris Mountain from Noon until 1:30 and also 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.
  • Poinsett 
    • Coquina Trail 10 a.m. to Noon
    • Scout Trail 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Rose Hill Resistance Run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Register here.
  • Sadlers Creek from 10 a.m. until noon
  • Santee 
    • Sinkhole Pond Nature Trail Noon until 1 p.m.
    • Limestone Nature Trail 11 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.
  • Sesquicentennial from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and also 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m.
  • Table Rock from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. and also from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Register here.
  • Woods Bay from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
• First Day Plunge
  • Friends of Paris Mountain Paris Plunge at 11 a.m. Register, here.
  • Friends of Hunting Island Pelican Plunge at 1 p.m. Register, here. 

**Please note there may be other events that are listed later.  Check our Programs & Events, or contact the park you are interested in, directly.