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Take your First Day festivities outside

Man dressed in warm clothing hiking in the woods

Celebrating First Day outside is a great way to start the year. State parks and other public spaces provide a wide range of outdoor activities. And don’t forget small, local town parks.

  • Belle Isle State Park (1632 Belle Isle Rd, Lancaster)
    • Explore Belle Isle: Information about the myriad activities available at the park are available from the camp store. Activities include park pack adventures, biking, hiking and picture taking, and boating (in season).
    • First Day Hike, 9:00-11:00 am: “Celebrate the new year with friends, family and furry companions at Belle Isle State Park’s First Day Hike. We will take a leisurely walk on the wooded Camp Spur and White Oak Swamp Trails while we think about our intentions for 2024. Join us after the hike for light refreshments, a cozy campfire and personal goal setting ceremony. Parking fees are waived on January 1st!”
    • First Day Hike - The Quiet One, 1:00-2:00 pm: “Our second First Day Hike is a little more on the quiet side for anyone who may have celebrated ringing in the New Year. We will meander along the Mulberry Creek Boardwalk then part of the Mud Creek Trail as we take in the beauty of Nature. Parking is Free on January 1st!”
  • Bush Mill Stream Natural Area Preserve (Knights Run Road (VA 642), Heathsville): Access is by foot or canoe during daylight hours. Enjoy “trails, a boardwalk, a wildlife viewing platform and interpretive signs.” See the website and the preserve guide factsheet for more info. (Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation)
  • Carter’s Wharf (Rt 622, Singerly)
  • Coopers Landing Boat Ramp (Coopers Landing Rd, Heathsville)
  • Farmham Creek (Farnham Creek Rd, Farnham)
  • Glebe Point Fishing Pier (Jesse DuPont Memorial Hwy, Wicomico Church)
  • Greenvale Creek ~ Thomas Landing Road Boat Ramp (Thomas Landing Rd & Flats Ln, Lancaster)
  • Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve (VA 604, Lancaster): “Hickory Hollow’s 254 acres of mixed pine-hardwood forest, ravines and Cabin Swamp form an important habitat for migratory songbirds, wild turkey and a rare plant. Cabin swamp is an exceptional quality wetland community that supports a very high diversity of plants including several mountain disjuncts. A globally rare Coastal Plain Basic Seepage Swamp is a natural community highlight of the preserve.” (Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation)
  • Lodge Landing (Lodge Landing Rd, Callao)
  • Northern Neck Birding Trail
  • NNK trails: “The Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation has created a Story Map that follows the scenic views along water trails in the Northern Neck Heritage Area.”
  • Potomac Heritage Trail Network
  • Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (336 Wilna Rd, Warsaw)
  • Rowe’s Landing (Rowe’s Landing Road to Coan River, Heathsville)
  • Shell Landing Boat Ramp (Shell Landing Rd, Reedville)
  • Simonson Landing (Rt 606, Simonson)
  • Steamboat Road - Irvington Boat Ramp (Irvington)
  • Vir Mar Beach (Vir-Mar Beach Road (VA 643), Burgess)
  • Voorhees Nature Preserve, (322 State Rte 674, Colonial Beach): “There are four miles of wooded trails for self-guided walks. The difficulty level is moderate.”
  • Water trails on the NNK by county
  • Westmoreland State Park (145 Cliff Rd, Montross)
    • First Day Fossil Hike, 9:00-10:00 am: “Join a ranger on a 0.6 mile hike on Big Meadow trail to our Fossil Beach. During this hike you will learn about the natural history of our area and how to identify fossils that you are free to take home with you. Wear comfortable hiking footwear, and any other items you may need. If you plan to stay and search for fossils it is recommended to bring a strainer or sieve to help in your search. This hike is limited 12 people a hike, sign up at the visitor center.”
    • First Day Fossil Hike, Noon-1:00 pm: “Join a ranger on a 0.6 mile hike on Big Meadow trail to our Fossil Beach. During this hike you will learn about the natural history of our area and how to identify fossils that you are free to take home with you. Wear comfortable hiking footwear, and any other items you may need. If you plan to stay and search for fossils it is recommended to bring a strainer or sieve to help in your search. This hike is limited 12 people a hike, sign up at the visitor center.”
Note: “Dameron Marsh and Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserves will be closed on Mondays through January for managed waterfowl hunts”


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