Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Encourages Families to Kick Off 2026 with First Day Hikes at Parks Across Massachusetts 

BOSTON — Continuing its tradition of promoting healthy outdoor recreation, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is once again welcoming families and residents across Massachusetts to kick off the new year with free guided hikes at DCR parks. On January 1, 2026, DCR will celebrate the 35^th anniversary of its First Day Hike initiative with 16 hikes at parks across the state – from South Cape Beach State Park in Mashpee to Mount Greylock State Reservation in Lanesborough. This year’s hikes also mark the start of the 250^th year of America’s independence.

First Day Hikes began in 1992, when 400 hikers gathered at Blue Hills Reservation in Milton to welcome the new year. Since then, DCR has led thousands of hikers into the new year along some of the agency’s most popular trails, highlighting the beauty of the Massachusetts’ winter landscapes and promoting year-round outdoor recreation. The popularity of the program here in Massachusetts led to its adoption by America’s State Parks in 2012, expanding First Day Hikes to all 50 states.

“I encourage everyone to kick off MA250 on New Year’s Day with a First Day Hike at one of our incredible state parks,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This cherished tradition started right here in Massachusetts, bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together to take in fresh air and experience the beauty and rich history of our state.”

“Each new year gives us the chance to honor traditions and embrace new opportunities. Whether you’ve participated before or are planning to for the first time, First Day Hikes are a wonderful way to wish each other a happy and healthy new year,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Starting the year outdoors in one of our beautiful state parks is a great opportunity to connect with family and friends and inspire year-round outdoor recreation.”

“New Year’s is a time to reflect and set resolutions. One of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s resolutions is to get more people outside enjoying our incredible parks,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “By participating in a First Day Hike, especially this year as part of MA250, residents can experience our natural, cultural, and recreational resources first-hand and see the essential role these spaces play in our communities.”

“First Day Hikes is a signature DCR initiative that helps us build healthy communities across Massachusetts by bringing families, friends and neighbors together to start their year exploring the outdoors,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “This year, as part of the 250^th anniversary of our country’s independence, we look forward to welcoming residents of all ages and abilities to celebrate in our state parks and reflect on the important role Massachusetts played in the founding of our country.”

Enthusiasm for First Day Hikes continues to grow, with nearly 2,000 participants in 2025. This year’s hikes are at DCR properties in Uxbridge, Worcester, West Boylston, Ashby, Douglas, Saugus, Rockport, North Andover, Concord, Milton, Mashpee, Chester, Turners Falls, Plainfield, Lanesborough, and Holyoke. New this year are hikes at Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest, featuring a loop trail around Hallockville Pond, and Douglas State Forest, where guests can explore the Wallum Lakes waterfront. 

This year’s hikes range in length from 1 to 3 miles and vary in difficulty, terrain, and features. Participants should wear proper footwear and weather-appropriate attire and bring water. Inclement weather – such as rain, snow, or icy conditions –may require cancelations. DCR recommends contacting parks in advance to confirm the hike will proceed as scheduled. Registration is required at some locations, to register or learn more visit DCR’s First Day Hikes webpage. Participants can also take home an official DCR First Day Hike winter hat at each participating park, while supplies last.

Most locations will offer hot chocolate following the hike. Families are also encouraged to create their own First Day Hike adventure at a nearby state park; more information on self-guided hikes is available on the agency's website. DCR encourages participants to share their First Day Hike experience on social media using @MassDCR and #FirstDayHikes. 

Additionally, the DCR annual parking pass is now available through the Yodel app. The annual parking pass enables visitors to explore DCR properties as much as you want all year long. Check out DCR’s social media video and for more information on annual parking passes and parking at DCR properties visit the agency's parking website. 

DCR’s First Day Hikes will be offered at the following 16 locations and times:   

North

Breakheart Reservation – 10 a.m.

177 Forest St., Saugus 

Choose between a 2-mile hike and a 3-mile hike through the paved loops at beautiful Breakheart. Hikers will see animal tracks and the park’s Lower and Upper ponds. Leashed dogs are welcome to join.  

Co-sponsored by the Friends of Breakheart Reservation  

Halibut Point State Park – 10 a.m. 

4 Gott Ave., Rockport

Join 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 Ipswich Bay from the ledges of Babson Farm Quarry. This hike is approximately 2.5 miles and about 2 hours in duration. Leashed dogs are welcome.    

Co-sponsored by the Friends of Halibut Point State Park 

Harold Parker State Forest – 10 a.m. 

Berry Pond, 700 Middleton Road, North Andover  

This walk from Berry Pond to Salem Pond and back is approximately 2-miles and lasts 1.5 hours. Leashed dogs are welcome. After the hike, enjoy some hot chocolate by the warming fire. 

Co-sponsored by the Friends of Harold Parker State Forest  

Walden Pond State Reservation – 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

915 Walden St., Concord

Starting at the Visitor Center, guests will walk down to the Henry David Thoreau House Replica, cross at the crosswalk and walk on the ADA Accessible trail/Woods Path to site of Henry David Thoreau's House. The route is a crushed stone surface, ADA approved, and easy. Go at your own pace and follow the interpretive signage along the way. This self-guided hike is approximately 1.5 miles, and about 1 hour in duration. No pets are allowed at Walden Pond State Reservation. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Warm up with hot chocolate after your hike at the visitor center. Please note that on holidays and weekends, Walden Pond often closes due to capacity. 

South

South Cape Beach State Park – 10 a.m. 

668 Great Oak Road, Mashpee

Hike along the beach with views of Martha’s Vineyard. DCR staff will point out interesting discoveries along the route such as horseshoe crabs, welks and other treasures along the shoreline. Depending on conditions, the hike is approximately 1 mile, about 1 hour in duration. Hike will be on loose sand and likely windy. Leashed dogs are welcome to join. Enjoy the warm fire and hot chocolate after the hike. 

Blue Hills Reservation – 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.

840 Hillside St., Milton

Starting at 11 am, watch Blue Hills Trailside live wildlife demonstration at Houghton’s Pond with the Mass Audubon staff, gather around a warming fire and share some New Year’s cheer. 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. Leashed dogs are welcome to join. 

Central 

Blackstone River Greenway – 10 a.m. 

3 Paul Clancy Way, Worcester 

This hike extends from the Visitor Center to the Millbury Street satellite parking lot and back. With minimal elevation changes on a paved bikeway, this hike is both accessible and easy. Enjoy views of the Blackstone River and keep your eyes peeled for both urban wildlife and evidence of the area’s industrial past. At the turnaround point, you will find the northernmost intact segment of the Blackstone Canal. The hike is 3 miles length, about 1.5 hours in duration. Leashed dogs are welcome to join. Hot chocolate will be served at the visitor’s center.

Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park – 10 a.m. 

River Bend Farm Visitor Center, 287 Oak St., Uxbridge 

Walk along the waterways and woodlands of the canal towpath and experience the sights and sounds of the Blackstone River in winter. Join us after the hike for hot chocolate in the Visitor Center and firepits out on the patio. The hike is roughly 1.5 miles over a compacted gravel surface with no inclines. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Leashed dogs are welcome. 

Douglas State Forest – 1 p.m.

107 Wollam Lake Road, Douglas

Explore the forest, swamps, and converted railroad beds around the Wallum Lakes waterfront and discover traces of a forest once booming with industry. Keep a lookout for wildlife, stone quarrying, remnants of ice harvesting, and more. The slow-paced approximately 2-mile hike will feature wooden bridges, rocky trails, and a gradual grade. Leashed dogs are welcome. Hot chocolate and a warming fire will be available at the visitor’s center.  

Willard Brook State Forest – 10 a.m. 

59 Townsend Road, Ashby   

Hike the Brook Trail Loop at Damon Pond and enjoy scenic views on this moderately paced hike in the heart of the park. The route for this hike is approximately 2.5 miles, and about 3 hours in duration. Leashed dogs are welcome to join. Enjoy a warming fire before and after the event.   

Wachusett Reservoir – 11 a.m. 

168 Temple St. (Rt 140), West Boylston 

Enjoy scenic vistas of the water supply that provides clean drinking water to about three million people in Massachusetts. The trail follows along wide forest access roads with some hills featuring up to 8 percent inclines. This slow-paced hike is approximately 2 miles round trip. Dogs are not permitted on Watershed property with the exception of service dogs. 

West 

Great Falls Discovery Center – 1 p.m.

2 Avenue A, Turners Falls 

Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the paved Canalside Rail Trail. This hike follows a gentle route and provides an opportunity to discover the abundant natural, historical, and cultural features that make this such a beautiful and unique state park. The route for this hike is approximately 3 miles, and about 1.5 hours in duration. The hike’s route may change depending on trail conditions. Leashed dogs are welcome. 

Chester Blandford State Forest – 10 a.m. 

631 U.S. Rt. 20, Chester 

Walk the Sanderson Brook Falls Trail along the brook to visit scenic Sanderson Brook Falls. Co-Sponsored by the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, this hike is two miles round-trip (over about three hours), along a gradual uphill gravel road, and then a short footpath to the falls. Leashed dogs are welcome. Carpooling is encouraged as parking at the site is limited. 

Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest – 10 a.m.

466 West Hawley Road, Plainfield 

This hike of the Pond Loop Trail circles beautiful Hallockville Pond and allows visitors the chance to see evidence of wildlife and remnants of old mill sites. This is an easy to moderate hike with no major elevation changes. In the event of snow, hikers are recommended to bring snow traction devices or snowshoes. Leashed dogs are welcome.  

Mount Greylock State Reservation – 1 p.m.

30 Rockwell Rd., Lanesborough

This hike of the Bradley Farm Trail is easy to moderate in difficulty, with an elevation gain of approximately 450 feet. Along the way, enjoy beautiful scenery and interpretive stations highlighting natural and cultural history. The hike is approximately 2 miles in length and about 1.5 to 2 hours in duration. Leashed dogs are welcome. 

Mount Tom Reservation – 1 p.m.

125 Reservation Rd., Holyoke  

Guests will meet at the warming hut for a guided 2-mile hike, about 1.5 hours in duration. The easy to moderate hike will start at the Bray Lake parking area on our newly redone universal access trail before turning onto the Bray Loop Trail. The hike will cover mixed surface ranging from packed gravel to rockier. There will be about 300 feet of elevation gain along the route. Leashed dogs are welcome.   

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