Perfectly timed for New Years resolutions, all Oregon State Parks are free on January first, and some have guided hikes.
First Day Hikes have been offered in all 50 states for 10 years. Oregon Parks and Recreation spokesman Chris Havel said all 25 state parks that charge fees will be free on the first, and he added, “We offer more than 18 hikes statewide where we’re waiving the day use parking fee and you can just go, sometimes joined by a ranger, sometimes self guided and just enjoy a hike out in your state parks system.”
Havel said Honeyman State Park near Florence and Silver Falls State Park east of Salem have ranger-led walks.
The new year is also the 100th anniversary of the Oregon State Parks system. Havel said celebrations are in the works, including 100 volunteer activities and a summertime party at the Sarah Helmick Recreation Site southwest of Salem, which was Oregon’s first designated state park property.