Colorado Parks and Wildlife is throwing open the gates to its state parks on Jan. 1, 2026, for its annual First Day Hike. This is where you can shake off last year's cobwebs, share some panoramic views, and casually ignore any resolutions that involve less chocolate and more cardio.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, this open invitation aims to get folks to appreciatively start their year by connecting back to the great outdoors. The First Day Hike isn't just a Colorado fling; it's a nationwide call to boots, but Colorado's natural beauty does tend to turn heads and draw crowds. Hit up their CPW Event Calendar if you want to quickly find a participating park without having to aimlessly Google your way through the wilderness.
There's also more than just a one-day deal here. CPW wants to nudge you to enjoy the state's natural and cultural bounties all year round because Colorado's not just a pretty place to visit on the first day of the year; it's a stunner come rain, shine, or the inevitable snowfall. "Savor the beauty of the natural, cultural and historical resources Colorado state parks offer," encouraged the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, reminding us that this scenic state isn’t something to be taken for granted.
In line with the annual hikes, there's also the Keep Colorado Wild Pass campaign that you can effortlessly tack onto your vehicle registration for $29 to directly support the parks and outdoor education in local communities. This little move wields a big impact, helping to both nurture and flaunt the wild spaces that make Colorado, well, Colorado.
