WYOMING — Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites started 2024 with a bang.
The annual First Day Hikes on Jan. 1 saw 1,132 attendees across the state, which reflects a 206% participation increase from 2023’s event, State Parks announced.
“Each year, our agency strives to enhance this annual event in ways that will continue to encourage both returning and first-time guests to join us outdoors for this special occasion, and we were, of course, ecstatic to see our First Day Hikes’ attendance more than triple this year,” Outreach Coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation Laurel Stephens said via press release. “We see these numbers as indicative of recent outdoor recreation trends and that more people are taking advantage of the endless outdoor recreation opportunities our state has to offer.”
First Day Hikes is an annual event hosted by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails. This year, 17 parks and sites hosted free guided hikes, with the highest attendance at Curt Gowdy State Park, which saw 308 participants. Behind that was Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park, which hosted 149 hikers. See the full attendance breakdown below.
| Bear River State Park, 30 | Hot Springs State Park, 72 |
| Boysen State Park, 24 | Keyhole State Park, 48 |
| Buffalo Bill State Park, 43 | Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site, 33 |
| Curt Gowdy State Park, 308 | Sinks Canyon State Park, 14 |
| Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park, 149 | South Pass City State Historic Site, 25 |
| Fort Bridger State Historic Site, 72 | Trail End State Historic Site, 68 |
| Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site, 82 | WY Pioneer Memorial Museum, 7 |
| Glendo State Park, 42 | WY Territorial Prison, 58 |
| Guernsey State Park, 57 |
Wyoming’s events are part of the nationwide First Day Hikes initiative led by America’s State Parks, a program designed to encourage outdoor recreation that benefits mental and physical health.
“I look forward to First Day Hikes each year,” Interpretive Ranger Angelina Stancampiano, who has led First Day Hikes since 2019, said via press release. “Not only does it quite literally start my year out on the right foot being active and outdoors, but it’s a wonderful way to greet visitors in the new year. We meet, highlight upcoming programs and can enjoy the hike together. These hikers become regular program attendees and oftentimes friends. This year was great for updating attendees on the many programs our agency offers throughout the year as well as informing and answering questions on our new reservation system.”
State Parks launched a new reservation and permit sales platform in December. The site includes improved campsite maps, descriptions and more. See reserve.wyoming.gov for further information.
Hikers at Keyhole State Park and Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site. Photos: Wyoming State Parks
