Release Date
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 21, 2023 – Celebrate 2024 by taking a guided hike on Jan. 1 in one of central Missouri’s state parks or historic sites. Make a new tradition with your friends and family as you get some healthy exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.
- Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, 1-2:30 p.m.
Enjoy some urban exploration around Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, the Capitol Complex and Jefferson City Parks’ Deborah Cooper Park on Adrian Island. Team members will provide a tour as participants take in the views of the Missouri River and the historic buildings. The hike will cover about 1.5 miles on sidewalks with some slight-to-moderate inclines, including the Bicentennial Bridge. The guides will use a Bluetooth-enabled microphone, so bring headphones to help you hear all the great info! For more information, call 573-751-2854. To register, visit icampmo.com. Participants should meet at 1 p.m. at the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site’s Lohman Building, located at 100 Jefferson St. in Jefferson City.
- Katy Trail State Park, 1 p.m.
This 2-mile hike allows participants to enjoy a partial section of the Katy and Rock Island trails in Windsor. Hikers can learn about the Rock Island Trail’s creation and operations, and possibly see some wildlife. At 1 p.m., hikers will depart from the Katy Trail trailhead in Windsor. The hike is considered to be easy, with a flat, packed gravel surface. Registration is required and can be submitted by visiting icampmo.com and using the “Choose Date” option to find the “First Day Hike on the Rock” listing. For more information, call 660-563-2463.
- Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
This 1.75-mile hike will be interspersed with stops to learn about the history and geology of the area. It will go up one long, gradual hill on the dirt-and-gravel terrain of Sinkhole Trail, through the woods and then along a boardwalk for the last 0.25 mile,. The level of difficulty is moderate, with some stairs involved. Features and topics along the way include the 19th century town of Rockbridge Mills, with its whiskey distillery and former homes; the park’s founding; Ingrum Spring; the entrances of two sinkhole pit caves; the opening of Devil’s Icebox Cave; and the Rock Bridge. This hike is not stroller accessible and is not recommended for children 4 years and under unless they are carried by an adult. The event is free, but space is limited and registration is required. To register, visit icampmo.com. For more information, call 573-449-7402. Meet at Devil’s Icebox parking lot.at 5901 S. Highway 163 in Columbia.
- Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, noon - 3:30 p.m.
This 3.75-mile trail passes through an oak-hickory woodland and along Little Bonne Femme Creek for about 0.5 mile. Hikers will travel at a vigorous pace and traverse several hills along the way. During the hike, your guide will share information about streams, aquatic animals, birds and other wildlife. Deer Run Trail is not stroller accessible and this hike is not recommended for children 4 and under unless they are carried by an adult. Registration is required and can be done by visiting icampmo.com. For more information, call 573-449-7402. Participants should meet at the park’s playground, located at 5901 S. Highway 163 in Columbia.
- Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Use this hike to look for birds along the Grassland Trail. This area provides views of a restored prairie, open sky and sinkholes. Members of the Columbia Audubon Society will lead this 2-mile hike and plan to look in the mixed grassland, shrub and forest-edge habitats for sparrow, raptors and other fauna and flora of interest. Around dusk, hike leaders will return to the parking lot for an optional extra 30 minutes of watching and listening for a last pulse of daytime bird activity, as well as possible evening birds, including owls. This is also an opportunity to watch the sun go down on the first day of the new year. This event is for ages 8 and up, and space is limited. Registration can be submitted by visiting icampmo.com. For more information, call 573-449-7402. Meet at the Grassland Trail trailhead in the park at 5901 S. Highway 163 in Columbia.
For information on First Day Hikes at your nearest state park, go to stateparks.org/special-programs/first-day-hikes/. Share your Jan. 1 hiking story on social media with #FirstDayHikes. For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
