photo by: Nick Krug

A view of Clinton Lake on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at Clinton Lake State Park.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is encouraging residents to begin 2024 with an invigorating hike in a state park on Jan. 1.

“First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on New Year’s Day,” says the department’s website, which notes that hundreds of such hikes are scheduled throughout the United States.

Kansas, in its 13th year of participating in the First Day Hike program, is offering 33 hikes on Jan. 1. In the Lawrence area, those include hikes at Clinton State Park, Perry State Park and Pomona State Park. A complete list of participating parks can be found at the department’s website.

• The Clinton State Park hike will be on the Prairieview Nature Trail beginning at 11 a.m. Participants should meet at the Bob Mowery Disc Golf Course parking lot. The 1.5 mile trail is rated as easy to moderate in difficulty. According to the website, “participants can expect to see various wildlife, landscape views of Clinton Lake and the newly added Storybook Trail. The hike is perfect for beginners with minimal elevation gain through native prairie fields that have a well-established path to follow. The trail has multiple points to break off and explore but follow the hike guide if you wish to find out ‘Where Butterflies Grow.'”

• The Perry State Park hike will be on Rocky Top Trail beginning at 2 p.m. The website does not provide a trail length, but says the hike should take about an hour. Participants will meet at Rocky Top Day Use Area. The website indicates that hikers may see “white tail deer, gray squirrels, fox squirrels and birds.”

• The Pomona State Park hike will be on the Pomona State Park Mixed Route beginning at 10 a.m. Participants will meet at the state park office. The website indicates that the one-mile hike option is good for “young family groups and those not wanting a strenuous hike.” A 4-mile hike will be medium in difficulty. “Hikers may see saw cedar waxwings, eagles, foxes, woodpeckers, owls, pelicans and other wildlife,” the website says.

For cancellation information on any of the hikes, see the department’s website.

Suggested items to bring include water, snacks, weather appropriate clothing, hiking shoes, binoculars, a hiking stick and a camera. Limited First Day Hike T-Shirts will be available at some hikes. Shirts will be available at check-in on a first come first serve basis. Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash. A vehicle permit is required unless otherwise stated.

First Day Hike is part of a national program sponsored by America’s State Parks.