'First Day Hike' A North Carolina State Parks Tradition

North Carolina's State Parks Department wants residents to start off 2017 on the trails. They're encouraging residents to participate in First Day Hikes, an active and brisk reminder of the state's natural beauty.

The tradition started in 1971 at Eno River State Park where advocates in the area organized a day of winter hikes. Now more than 40 guided tours will be offered at parks across the entire state on January 1st. Some of the routes are short, some are longer and more arduous, and all will be guided by park rangers.

With many people rededicating themselves to fitness and family to ring in the new year, park officials think this is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. Charlie Peek with North Carolina State Parks says that Hanging Rock is putting its own stamp on First Day Hikes.

“They're going to do an extended hike across some of the higher areas of Hanging Rock State Park. And they're also going to accompany that with a polar plunge into the park lake, if anybody has the desire to get in some nice cold water and start the new year that way.”

Last year, there were  a record number of hikers – 3,469 people took part in New Years Day events in North Carolina.