On Jan. 1, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host First Day Hikes at the following state parks. These fun and informative hikes are open to all ages and are family friendly.
First Day Hike participants are encouraged to share their adventures on social media using #FirstDayHikes. Hikers should wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring a water bottle and ice cleats or snowshoes if the trail conditions are snowy or icy. For more information on these or other Montana state parks, visit stateparks.mt.gov. Out-of-state vehicles are subject to an $8 entrance fee.
First Day Hikes is an annual, nationwide event co-sponsored by America's State Parks, which originated more than 26 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation at a state park in Milton, Mass. All 50 states will be participating in the 10th annual national event that encourages everyone to celebrate the New Year with guided outdoor exploration.
The hike is free. Participants may see raptors like bald eagle, white-tailed deer, mule deer, cottontail rabbit, ring-necked pheasant, etc.
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: North Shore Trail, meet at campground parking lot
Trail description: The North Shore Trail is 1.5 miles start to finish and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete at an average walking pace without stopping.
Minimum age: 6-8 years
What to bring: Water, snowshoes, cross-country skis, snacks if you like
Contact: Call the park office at 406-445-2326
This event is free and open to the public. Be ready to set off on the guided hike promptly at 1 p.m. For those that would like to hike independently, please feel free to enter the gates and hike from noon to 4 p.m. All vehicles must be outside the gates by 4 pm.
The visitor center bathrooms will be available for use, but the museum will be closed to visitors for this event.
Time: Guided hike from 1-3:30 p.m. Park gates will be open from noon - 4 p.m.
Where: Loop Trail, meet at First People Buffalo Jump Visitor Center
Trail description: The Loop Trail is approximately a 3 mile moderately strenuous hike. The hike starts from the visitor center and increases 400 feet in elevation to the top of the Buffalo Jump.
Depending on weather conditions prepare for snowy, wet, slippery or muddy surfaces. Dress appropriately with gloves, hats, winter coats and a sturdy pair of hiking boots.
Minimum age: All ages with parental supervision of children under 12.
What to bring: Water bottle, snacks, winter hiking apparel, walking stick. Leave no trace behind principles apply.
Contact: For more information, please call 406-866-2217
Hike will stop at the Giant Springs, one of the nation’s largest freshwater springs, and pass the kid’s fishing pond. After the hike, guests will be able to tour inside the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery and see how they raise trout and other fish from eggs to adults and feed the adult trout in the show pond!
Free of charge.
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: Ranger Station in Giant Springs State Park
Trail name: East Coulee Trail and Fish Hatchery Tour
Trail description: Departing from the Ranger Station, the .66-mile hike is easy to moderate with roughly half the trail on asphalt and half the hike on natural surface trail through the park. A slight uphill section of approx. 100 ft. at the start of the East Coulee trail with the majority of the hike on level ground.
Minimum age: Children of all ages are encouraged to attend with their families.
What to bring: Drinking water, hiking boots and appropriate clothing for the weather. Pets welcome, must be leashed.
Contact: For more information, please call 406-727-1212
Free food, refreshments and drinks will be provided following the hike in the visitor center by the Friends of Makoshika.
Time: 11 a.m.
Where: Fort Rock Trail, meet at picnic area
Trail description: Bluebird - one mile round trip will introduce participant the Makoshika State Park badlands topography.
Paramount - 2 mile round trip. Generally flat with few inclines. Follows edge of road to campground and back.
Minimum age: Fine for any age
What to bring: Hikers should wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring a water bottle and ice cleats or snowshoes if the trail conditions are snowy or icy. No pets.
Contact: For more information call 406-377-6256
Join us at 11 at the picnic area for s’mores, hot chocolate and mingling. Then we will have a 2-mile Ranger led hike. Free to the public.
Time: 11 a.m.
Where: Fort Rock Trail, meet at picnic area
Trail description: Trail is 2 miles and an easy hike but certain spots may be icy depending on weather. Boots and warm clothing are still required.
Minimum age: Fine for any age
What to bring: Water, coffee if you wan to keep warm. Hot chocolate and cider will be provided. Dogs must be on leash
Contact: Call the park office at 406-285-3610
Journey through time as you explore one of Montana’s most ancient homes, occupied by humans for over nine thousand years, this site tells the story of the early peoples of North America, as they sought refuge in the natural rock shelter of the cliff and told their stories for generations by painting them on the walls of this sacred place. From archeology and Native peoples to cretaceous sea creatures, and everything in-between, come learn with us and journey into the past.
Nature is plentiful in our sacred gulch, with porcupines, mule deer, and more active during the winter months. Will we discover prints, scat, or other evidence of our elusive fuzzy friends? Let’s find out!
The hike is free for Montana residents with their vehicles registered in Montana, for out of state vehicles, there is an $8 day use fee to support Montana State Parks.
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Where: Pictograph Cave Trail Loop, meet at picnic area at top of parking lot
Trail description: The Pictograph Cave Trail Loop is a short, but enriching hike. The trail is roughly ¾ of a mile long, with paved, gravel, and unmaintained sections. It gets moderately steep as you approach the caves and may be slippery in the winter with ice.
Minimum age: This trail is suitable for all ages, but parental discretion is advised.
What to bring: Water, crampons (traction devices), and nice warm clothing are recommended!
Contact: Call the park office at 406-254-7342
What: First Day Expedition
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: All trails at Flathead Lake State Park, Lone Pine State Park, Somers Beach State Park, Whitefish State Park, Les Mason State Park, Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park, Logan State Park, and Lake Mary Ronan State Park
Minimum age: Children of all ages are encouraged to attend with their families.
What to bring: A plan for every activity to get the most points.
The Flathead and Mission Valleys are great places to get outside and start your new year off with a First Day Expedition. On the first day of 2025, all FWP State Park sites: Flathead Lake (all units), Lone Pine, Whitefish, Lake Mary Ronan, Les Meson, Logan, Thompson Chain of Lake and Somers Beach State Parks invite you to go outside and discover your state parks.
To help guide your winter expedition, you have an opportunity to win some prizes! To earn points, you must take a photograph of each activity and submit via email to wayfarers@mt.gov. All activities must occur at one of the participating parks listed above on January 1, 2025. Photos, names of participants, and miles hiked/ran must be submitted via email to wafarers@mt.gov by 6 p.m. on January 3 to be entered to win prizes.
1-Point categories:
Wildlife Pictures
1 point species and extra point for proper identification.
Tree/shrub Identification
1 point per species you correctly ID with picture.
2-Point categories:
Per mile, per person hiked/ran/skied/snowshoed.
Per snow angel (or other angel if no snow is present).
Per snow creature, extra points are awarded for creativity.
5-Point categories:
Having a picnic
Sunrise Picture
Must be time stamped with January 1, 2025
Sledding
Fishing
Ice fishing (if safe ice available) or gear fishing or fly fishing.
Making a campfire (where permitted and only in designated fire rings) and having S’mores
Please remember to drown your fires before you leave to your next adventure.
10-Point Categories:
Per person for wading into a lake at least ankle deep.
Utilizing one of the archery ranges, Big Arm unit of Flathead Lake State Park or Lone Pine State Park.
Per Park that you travel to.
Picture of you at the entrance signs as proof.
How to enter:
Photos, names of participants, and miles hiked/ran must be submitted via email to wafarers@mt.gov by 6 PM on January 3 to be entered to win prizes.
Prizes:
1st place - Two nights at either Big Arm Unit of FHLSP yurt or Finley Point Unit of FHLSP cabin
2nd place - Two nights of camping at Logan State Park or Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park
3rd place - $40 at either Lone Pine State Park or Flathead Lake Ranger Station gift shop
For more information on the expedition call the Ranger Station at Wayfarers: 406-837-3041 ext. 0
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: Lake Loop Trail, meet at the group pavilion.
Trail description: 9/10 of a mile flat interpretive hike around the lake. Light refreshments served at the conclusion.
Minimum age: This trail is suitable for all ages, but parental discretion is advised.
What to bring: Weather appropriate clothes/shoes. No pets please.
Contact: For more information call the 406-495-3270
Join us for a roughly 2 mile walk along the trails at Travelers’ Rest State Park. We will look for birds and signs of other wildlife in the park throughout the walk. The park gates will be opened at 9:00am and closed at 2:00pm. Montana State Parks day use entrance fee still applies.
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Nature Trail, meet at Travelers’ Rest State Park Visitor Center
Trail description: Roughly 1.5 miles on a hard pack dirt trail. Slight incline on bridge crossing over the creek. Ice and/or snow may be present on the trail depending on weather.
Minimum age: This trail is suitable for all ages.
What to bring: Water, snacks, warm clothing and shoes, binoculars.
Contact: Call the park office at 406-273-4253