DCR First Day Hikes

DCR invites you to step into the New Year with a First Day Hike! Due to weather, some of our First Day Hikes have been canceled. Many locations will still offer hot chocolate and warming fires to ring in the New Year in nature. Please find updates below or in the First Day Hikes Updates document.

For information on the status of a hike, please see our First Day Hike Modifications or check for a location in the list below.

Massachusetts is where the American Revolution began, and it is also where the First Day Hikes started. On New Years Day in 1992, 380 people gathered at Blue Hill Reservation to welcome the new year with a walk in the woods. That simple idea grew into something big. Today, all 50 states offer First Day Hikes on January 1. As we prepare to honor the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026, DCR is proud to celebrate this Massachusetts tradition that continues to inspire the nation. Scroll down to find your First Day Hike, with locations, times, and details for DCR parks across Massachusetts. 

2026 First Day Hike Flyer

Whether this is your first First Day Hike or you’re a returning participant, please keep these DCR tips and reminders in mind:

• Plan to arrive early—some locations have limited parking.
• Check the weather and dress accordingly. Wear warm layers, hats, gloves, and sturdy footwear.
• Winter weather conditions are expected, spikes, hiking poles and other traction devices are highly recommended for all hiking experiences!
• Know your hike’s meeting location before you go.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Know which hikes are pet-friendly:
  • Dogs are not allowed in DCR Water Supply Protection areas and several state parks.
  • Where dogs are permitted, keep them leashed, walk near the back of the group, and clean up after them. For full guidelines, visit: Dogs in DCR parks.
• For guided hikes, please stay with your group.
• Bring water and a snack.
• Unless stated otherwise in the hike description, restrooms are available at hike locations.
• Some hikes require advanced registration due to limited space. Use the links provided below to register.
• In case of cancellation, contact the park or visit mass.gov/dcr.
• For a list of DCR trail maps visit: DCR trail maps.
• Share your First Day Hike photos on Instagram by tagging @massdcr.
• Most importantly—make memories!

Central

Update: Canceled! Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park 

For more information please call [phone] or email [e-mail]. 

Update: Blackstone River Greenway Visitor Center 

January 1, 2026, 9:30am-11:30am 

Meeting Location: 3 Paul Clancy Way, Worcester 

GPS: 42.236362426653436, -71.79572796441792 

• Guided hike is canceled due to icy trail conditions.
• The Visitor Center will be open with hot chocolate.
• Hiking at the park is not recommended.
• If you choose to do a self-guided hike please take precaution – spikes and traction devices are recommended. 

Celebrate the New Year at Blackstone Heritage Greenway Visitor Center in Worcester! For more information, please call [phone]. 

Douglas State Forest

January 1, 2026, 1:00pm-2:30pm

Meeting Location: Wallum Boat Ramp, 107 Wallum Lake Road, Douglas

GPS: 42.021844, -71.768051

Celebrate the New Year at Douglas State Forest on a First Day Hike! Join DCR and the Blackstone Heritage Corridor for a hike through Wallum Lakes waterfront and nearby trails. We will be exploring the forest, swamps, and converted railroad beds as we see evidence of a forest once booming with industry. Be on the lookout for wildlife as we see evidence of stone quarrying, remnants of ice harvesting, and more! The slow-paced hike will be approximately 2 miles long and will feature wooden bridges, rocky trails, and a very gradual grade. Remember to dress for the weather and wear proper footwear, Leashed dogs are welcome! Join us after the hike for a warming fire and hot chocolate.

Meeting at the Wallum boat ramp located at the end of the park access road 107 Wallum Lake Road, Douglas, MA. Space may be limited so please arrive before 12:30 p.m. to register, hike begins at 1:00 p.m. For more information, please call 508-476-7872 or email [e-mail]

Update: Canceled! Wachusett Reservoir 

For more information, please contact [phone]. 

Willard Brook State Forest 

January 1, 2026, 10:00am-1:00pm 

Meeting Location: 59 Townsend Road, Ashby     

GPS: 42.662843103212374, -71.79173034573975 

Registration required: Registration for First Day Hike at Willard Brook State Forest 

Celebrate the New Year at Willard Brook State Forest in Ashby on a First Day Hike! Hike the Brook Trail Loop at Damon Pond. Enjoy scenic views on this moderately paced hike in the heart of the park. Hike is approximately 2.5-miles, about 3 hours in duration. Dress for the weather and leashed dogs are welcome to join. 

Enjoy a warming fire before and after the event. Space is limited; registration is required. For more information, please call [phone]. 

North

Update: Breakheart Reservation 

January 1, 2026, 10:00am-12:00pm 

Meeting Location: 177 Forest St. Saugus 

GPS: 42.48016717477818, -71.0258374027916 

Celebrate the New Year at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus!

• Guided hike is canceled due to icy trail conditions.
• The Visitor Center will be open with warming fire and hot chocolate.
• If you choose to do a self-guided hike please take precaution – spikes and traction devices are recommended.  

For more information, call [phone]. 

Halibut Point State Park 

January 1, 2026, 10:00am-12:30pm 

Meeting Location: Parking lot, 4 Gott Ave., Rockport 

GPS: 42.68682577510787, -70.6317506288357 

Celebrate the New Year at Halibut Point State Park on a First Day Hike! Join the park staff for a seaside stroll and enjoy the seasonal scenic splendor including wintering ducks and birds along this rocky coastal water’s edge. View from Babson Farm Quarry edges the Ipswich Bay and beyond – all the way up the east coast to Maine! Hike is approximately 2.5-miles, about 2 hours in duration. Dress for cold, windy weather and wear sturdy boots. Leashed dogs are welcome.   

Meet in the parking lot. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Halibut Point State Park. Inclement weather may cancel. Cancellation message will be left after 3pm the previous day at [phone].  
 

Update: Harold Parker State Forest 

January 1, 2026, 10:00am-12:00pm 

Meeting Location: Berry Pond, 700 Middleton Road, North Andover 

GPS: 42.6215508338235, -71.08764342012866 

Celebrate the New Year at Harold Parker State Forest! 

• Guided hike is canceled due to inclement weather.
• A gathering will be held at Barry Pond with hot chocolate.
• If you choose to do a self-guided hike please take precaution – spikes and traction devices are recommended. 

This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of Harold Parker. For more information, please call [phone]. 

Update: Walden Pond State Reservation 

January 1, 2026, 10:00am-2:00pm 

Meeting Location: 915 Walden Street, Concord 

GPS: 42.440411166877475, -71.33386127695215 

Celebrate the New Year at Walden Pond State Reservation!  

• Due to weather conditions hiking throughout the park is not recommended.
• The Visitor Center and Thoreau House Replica will be open. Henry David Thoreau will be present to welcome people to the park with a warming fire and hot chocolate.
• If you choose to do a self-guided hike please take precaution – spikes and traction devices recommended. 

The visitor center, which will be open regular winter hours, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. This event is co-sponsored by Friends of Walden Pond. 

This program is free, please note that on holidays and weekends, Walden Pond often closes due to capacity. Check DCR Park Alerts for closures at mass.gov/parkalerts. 
 

South

Blue Hills Reservation  

January 1, 2026, 11:00am – 1:00pm 

Meeting Location: 840 Hillside Street, Milton  

GPS: 42.210096955126595, -71.09613225689925 

Celebrate the new year at Blue Hills Reservation in Milton on a First Day Hike! Join DCR Staff for a First Day Hike through the Blue Hills Reservation. Meet around the Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center.  Ice may be present on trails, spikes, hiking poles and other appropriate attire recommended.

Starting at 11 am, watch Blue Hills Trailside live wildlife demo at Houghton’s Pond with the Mass Audubon staff, gather around a warming fire and share some New Year’s cheer. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item for Interfaith Social Services. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the concession stand. 

Starting at 12 pm, DCR staff will lead two easy to moderate hikes for a 1-hour to 2-hour trek in the great outdoors. There will also be one self-guided option. Choose the hike to suit your interest and ability. Dress warmly and wear sturdy hiking boots for all hikes. Leashed dogs are welcome to join, for more information, please call DCR Blue Hills office at [phone], x4. 

Directions: Take Exit 3 off route 93 and follow First Day signs. Please arrive early to allow for parking; space is limited. Follow directions from park staff. You may be directed to park in overflow lots. Please respect our neighbors by not parking outside DCR property or along roadways. 

Update: Canceled! South Cape Beach State Reservation  

For more information, please call Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve at [phone]. 

West

Update: Chester-Blandford State Forest 

First Day Hike to Sanderson Brook Falls 

January 1, 2026, 10:00am-1:00pm 

Meeting Location: 631 U.S. Route 20, Chester 

GPS: 42.256100298551125, -72.94688212550011 

Registration required: Western Mass Hilltown HikersHike the Hilltowns First Day Hike at Sanderson Brook Falls

Celebrate the New Year at Chester-Blandford State Forest on a First Day Hike! Walk the Sanderson Brook Falls Trail along the brook to visit scenic Sanderson Brook Falls. Co-Sponsored by the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers. The hike is two miles (2) round-trip, along a gradual uphill gravel road, and then a short footpath to the falls. About 3 hours in duration. Be prepared for cold weather - dress in layers and sturdy cold-weather boots. Spikes and poles are required for everyone who plans to attend. Restrooms are not available on site. Appropriate for ages 8 and up. Dogs are welcome on-leash. 

Parking is limited; carpooling is encouraged. Pre-registration is required through Western Mass Hilltown HikersHike the Hilltowns First Day Hike at Sanderson Brook Falls under Events, or text/call 1-413-302-0312.

Update: Great Falls Discovery Center 

January 1, 2026, 1:00pm – 3:00pm 

Meeting Location: 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls 

GPS: 42.61006109848692, -72.55549150374713 

Celebrate the New Year at Great Falls Discovery Center in Turner Falls! 

• Guided hike is canceled due to icy trail conditions.
• Hiking is not recommended.
• The Great Hall will be open with hot chocolate, no dogs inside the Great Hall.
• If you choose to do a self-guided hike please take precaution – spikes and traction devices are recommended.   

Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center. For more information, please call, [phone]. 

Update: Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest 

January 1, 2026, 10:00am-12:00pm 

Meeting Location: 466 West Hawley Road, Plainfield MA 01070  

GPS: -72.941611, 42.552040 

Celebrate the New Year at Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest in Plainfield! 

• Guided hike is canceled due to sub-zero windchills.
• The headquarters will still be open with hot chocolate and a warming fire.
• If you choose to do a self-guided hike please take precaution – spikes and traction devices are recommended.   

For more information, please call [phone].  

Update: Mount Greylock State Reservation  

January 1, 2026, 1:00pm - 3:00pm 

Meeting Location: 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA 

GPS: 42.553694356777704, -73.21327 

Celebrate the New Years at Mount Greylock State Reservation! 

• Guided hike is canceled due to sub-zero windchills.
• The Visitor Center will still be open with hot chocolate and a warming fire. 

• If you choose to do a self-guided hike please take precaution – spikes and traction devices are recommended.   

For more information, please call [phone]. 

Update: Mt. Tom Reservation 

January 1, 2026, 1:00pm-3:00pm 

Meeting Location: 125 Reservation Road Holyoke 

GPS: 42.26903335952047, -72.61654571569925 

Celebrate the New Year at Mt. Tom Reservation in Holyoke! 

• Guided hike is canceled due to icy trail conditions.
• A self-guided hike is available on the Universal Access trail for those interested.
• If you choose to do a self-guided hike please take precaution – spikes and traction devices are recommended. 
• A warming hut with hot chocolate will be open. 

For more information, please call [phone]. 

Date published:	November 30, 2021
Last updated:	December 12, 2024