Area first day hikes
First day hikes in Alabama› Little River Canyon National Preserve: 7104 DeSoto Parkway, NE, Fort Payne.Meet at the Little River Canyon Center for a moderate, 4-mile hike to Little River Falls and Martha’s Falls, 1 p.m. CST Sunday, Jan. 1. 256-845-3548.First day hikes in Georgia› Cloudland Canyon State Park: 122 Cloudland Canyon State Park Road, Rising Fawn.Meet at the Visitor Center/Park Office for a 4-mile loop to explore a lesser-known area of the park, including the Can’t Hardly Trail and CCT Corridor, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. Bring lunch. $5 parking. 706-657-4050.› Fort Mountain State Park: 181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth.Meet at the Old Fort parking area for a moderate but rocky 1-mile hike to the Stone Wall, historic fire tower and West Overlook, 3:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. $5 plus $5 parking. Register at 706-422-1932. The hike follows the fifth annual Black Bear Plunge, a chilling dive into the lake at Fort Mountain, 1-4:30 p.m. $15-$20 plus $5 parking.› James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park: 2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake road, Summerville.This easy, 1.5-mile hike circles the Upper Lake to view flora and fauna, learn park history and find the park’s best views, 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. $5 parking. 706-857-0826.
Fifty-five of Tennessee's state parks will offer free guided hikes to kick off the new year. Some in this area start late on Saturday, Dec. 31, and last past midnight to encompass both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, giving participants a chance to end 2016 and start 2017 on the right foot.
"Our First Day Hikes are our most popular annual guided event statewide," says Deputy Commissioner for Parks and Conservation Brock Hill. "It's a great way to start your New Year's resolutions off right and see the wonder of our state during this beautiful season."
Tennessee's First Day Hikes are part of a similar initiative in all 50 states (see box for nearby hikes in Georgia and Alabama).
Outings vary in length and difficulty, though most in this area are suitable for all ages. Rangers recommend bringing water and snacks (unless such are provided) and caution that temperatures can cool rapidly at night, especially for parks along the Cumberland Plateau. Participants should wear layers appropriate for the weather and sturdy shoes.
For more information, visit tnstateparks.com/about/special-events/first-day-hike/#/?holiday=first-day-hikes. Contact information listed below is to reach the rangers leading the hikes. Contact information for the parks may vary.
* Booker T. Washington State Park: 5801 Champion Road, Chattanooga.
Meet at the Recreational Area 1 parking lot for this moderate, 3-mile hike that follows the lakeshore to the park's point, 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Jan. 1. 423-322-5160, Daniel.Basham@tn.gov
* Cumberland Mountain State Park: 24 Office Drive, Crossville.
Meet at the park office for a moderate, 2-mile trek on the Byrd Creek Trail that ends at the birds of prey aviary, 10-11:30 a.m. CST Sunday, Jan. 1. Follow up with lunch at the park's Homestead Harvest Restaurant. 931-484-6138, Monica.Johnson@tn.gov.
* Cumberland Trail State Park: 3000 Barker Camp Road, Dunlap.
Meet at the Barker Camp Trailhead to explore a new trail and go off-trail to access a creek rock house that undercuts the mountain 90 feet deep, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. EST Sunday, Jan. 1. Hikers will hear about the history of the Cumberland Trail, past local use of the land and the succession of forest growth. 423-326-5605, Jordan.Sikkema@tn.gov.
* Fall Creek Falls State Park: 2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer.
Meet at the Nature Center for this challenging 3-mile hike that goes to the base of the namesake waterfall and back, 1-4 p.m. CST Sunday, Jan. 1. Gaul's Gallery Restaurant will be open if you want to fuel up first. 423-881-3297, Cara.Alexander@tn.gov.
* Fort Loudoun State Historic Park: 338 Fort Loudoun Road, Vonore.
Meet at the Tellico Blockhouse for a 1-mile hike to learn about upcoming projects and plans to rebuild a section of the outpost, as well as the importance of frontier fortification in U.S. history, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. The hike is easy and wheelchair-friendly. 423-884-6217, Justin.Rexrode@tn.gov.
* Harrison Bay State Park: 8411 Harrison Bay Road, Chattanooga.
Meet in the parking lot across from the Interpretive Center for this easy, 1 mile midnight-encompassing outing, 11:47 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. 423-344-6214, Matthew.Vawter@tn.gov.
* Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park: 404 Spring Creek Road, Delano.
Meet at the park office for this half-mile outing designed to appreciate old ways and traditions, 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. Participants will meet some of the native animals of the forest, hike to a field to watch stars and tell stories by a fire. 615-631-2916, bg12245@gmail.com.
* Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park: 732 Stone Fort Drive, Manchester.
Meet at the park museum for an archaeological lecture at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, followed by an easy 1.25-mile hike from midnight to 1:30 a.m. CST. This is the only time of year visitors have the opportunity to see the prehistoric enclosure after sunset. Hot chocolate and other refreshments will be served. 931-952-0920, Andrew.Hyder@tn.gov.
* Red Clay State Historic Park: 1140 Red Clay Park Road SW, Cleveland.
Meet at the gazebo by the Visitor Center for an easy, 1-mile interpretive tour around the council grounds, the former capitol of the Cherokee Nation, 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. 423-478-0339, Logan.Cammarata@tn.gov.
* South Cumberland State Park: U.S. Highway 41, Sequatchie.
Meet at the Denny Cove parking lot (across from the Foster Falls Volunteer Fire Department building, 5900 U.S. 41) for a 4-mile round trip that will include the rugged terrain in the newest addition to the park, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. CST Sunday, Jan. 1. 931-924-2980.
* South Cumberland State Park: 3177 State Route 399, Palmer.
Meet at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station for a 5.5-mile, moderate hike to see Savage Falls and the views from Rattlesnake Point overlook, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CST Sunday, Jan. 1. 931-924-2980, Jessie.McNeel@tn.gov.
* Tims Ford State Park: 570 Tims Ford Drive, Winchester.
Meet at the Visitors Center to start an easy, 2.5-mile hike within the first minute of 2017, midnight-1:30 p.m. CST Saturday, Dec. 31. Participants will walk along the bike path in search of nightlife and stop at the softball field to view the night sky. Bring a flashlight. The outing will start and end with hot chocolate and light snacks. 423-361-3185, Philip.Hylen@tn.gov.