Start 2027 outdoors—and in good company—with a guided First Day Hike on Friday, January 1. These planned walks bring people together to explore parks and trails around Rochester, the Finger Lakes, and Western New York. Walk with friends, meet neighbors, and spend part of New Year’s Day with others who want to begin the year outside.
2027 planning note: The destinations below have sponsored previous First Day Hike programs. Listings marked TBD are awaiting confirmation for 2027. Check the organizer’s website before making plans, and register when required. Routes, equipment, pet policies, and weather-related changes vary by event.
Prefer to set your own pace? Browse winter walks around Monroe County and New York State Parks within a two-hour drive. Check winter access and trail conditions before heading out.
New York State Parks
Genesee Valley Greenway
Genesee Valley Greenway First Day Hikes have offered several starting points along the trail. Keep the following communities on your list while the 2027 schedule takes shape.
2027 details: TBD. Participation, start times, meeting locations, routes, and registration requirements have not yet been confirmed.
Brookdale Preserve has served as a starting point for a Greenway walk co-hosted by Genesee Land Trust and Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway. The previous event included an out-and-back walk along the trail. The 2027 distance, meeting point, time, and registration details are TBD.
Check the Genesee Land Trust calendar and New York State Parks’ First Day Hikes page for announcements.
Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park has offered several First Day Hikes, with separate programs in the park’s southern and northern sections. Previous routes have included sunrise overlooks, waterfalls, woodland trails, and views toward Mount Morris Dam.
2027 details: TBD. Participation, start times, meeting locations, routes, and registration requirements have not yet been confirmed.
Hamlin Beach State Park
Hamlin Beach State Park has offered guided New Year’s Day walks exploring the park’s history and natural features.
2027 details: TBD. Participation, start times, meeting locations, routes, and registration requirements have not yet been confirmed.
Check New York State Parks’ First Day Hikes page for updates.
Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park has offered educator-led First Day Hikes along the Gorge Trail, with stops to discuss the landscape and park history.
2027 details: TBD. Participation, start times, meeting locations, routes, and registration requirements have not yet been confirmed.
Check New York State Parks’ First Day Hikes page and the park’s official page for announcements and closures.
Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Falls State Park’s previous First Day Hike followed a route between Prospect Point and Terrapin Point, with views of the waterfalls.
2027 details: TBD. Participation, start times, meeting locations, routes, and registration requirements have not yet been confirmed.
Check New York State Parks’ First Day Hikes page.
Cumming Nature Center
Cumming Nature Center has included guided walks and indoor activities in its holiday-break programming. Keep it on your list for a winter outing, but confirm whether a program will take place on New Year’s Day.
2026–27 holiday-break and January 1, 2027 details: TBD. Program dates, guided hikes, activities, admission, and registration requirements are awaiting confirmation.
Check RMSC’s Cumming Nature Center holiday-break page for the updated schedule.
Montezuma Audubon Center
Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah has offered a guided New Year’s Day birding walk through woodland, grassland, and wetland habitats.
2027 details: TBD. Participation, start times, meeting locations, routes, and registration requirements have not yet been confirmed.
Check Montezuma Audubon Center for announcements.
Hikes with the DEC
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation coordinates First Day Hikes with local partners. These destinations remain on the planning list while 2027 programs are awaiting confirmation.
Hemlock-Canadice State Forest
Hemlock-Canadice State Forest has hosted a New Year’s Day outing with Springwater Trails along Canadice Lake. Previous options included a lakeshore walk and a more demanding route on Rob’s Trail.
2027 details: TBD. Participation, start times, meeting locations, routes, and registration requirements have not yet been confirmed.
Check Springwater Trails and the DEC First Day Hikes page. Route options, transportation, and pet policies are TBD.
Sugar Hill State Forest
Sugar Hill State Forest has hosted a First Day Hike with the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. A previous route included the recreation area, fire tower, and lean-tos.
2027 details: TBD. Participation, start times, meeting locations, routes, and registration requirements have not yet been confirmed.
Check the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and DEC First Day Hikes page for the 2027 route, distance, leader, and registration information.
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Reinstein Woods in Depew has offered a ranger-led New Year’s Day walk with advice on preparing for outdoor adventures.
2027 details: TBD. Participation, start times, meeting locations, routes, and registration requirements have not yet been confirmed.
Check the Reinstein Woods event calendar and DEC First Day Hikes page for updates.
Erie Canal Hike or Snowshoe: Macedon
Macedon’s previous New Year’s Day outing with Capt. L J – Tomboy Adventures combined canal history with a winter walk or snowshoe excursion. Lock 30/Macedon Canal Park served as the meeting point, and the route included varied terrain and a hill.
2027 details: TBD. Participation, start times, meeting locations, routes, and registration requirements have not yet been confirmed.
Equipment loans, interpretation services, fees, and registration arrangements are also TBD. Previous offers should not be assumed to apply to 2027.
Watch the DEC First Day Hikes page for a current listing and registration link.
Before You Head Out
Winter conditions can change a familiar trail. Check the organizer’s latest announcement, the forecast, and any park alerts before leaving home. A little preparation helps you spend more time walking and talking with the group.
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Dress in layers. Choose a moisture-wicking base layer, insulating layers, and an outer layer suited to wind and precipitation.
Keep your head and hands warm. A warm winter hat and insulated gloves or mittens help make a cold-weather walk more comfortable. Bring a spare pair of gloves in case yours get wet.
Plan for snow and ice. Wear footwear suited to the conditions, and ask the organizer whether traction devices for hiking boots or snowshoes are recommended for the route. Confirm whether equipment is available to borrow before buying or bringing your own.
Bring something warm to sip. Pack tea, coffee, hot cocoa, or soup in a leakproof vacuum-insulated bottle or thermos for a trailside break or after the walk. Choose one that fits securely in your pack, and bring drinking water.
Carry the essentials. Bring water, a snack, and a trail map. Pack a headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries, especially if you choose a sunrise hike or expect to be out near dusk.
Keep your phone charged. Start with a full battery and keep your phone in an inside pocket to protect it from the cold. A charged portable power bank and a compatible cable provide backup power if needed. Download your route before leaving home in case cell service is limited.
Check the details. Confirm the distance, elevation changes, walking surfaces, restroom availability, pet rules, and any accommodations you need. Arrive early enough to park, get dressed for the weather, and meet the group before the scheduled start.
For more preparation advice, read the American Hiking Society’s cold-weather hiking tips.
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Where is your favorite place for a First Day Hike?
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See you out there!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
I agree the rail trails can be dull, especially in winter. I do love the intersection at Wadsworth Juntion of the Greenway and Lehigh Valley Trail. This time of year man-made elements win the day for most interesting! The bridges over the river on the LV in Rush and the Erie & Attica are nice landmarks. This hike goes north though. I wish I could go this year as I would also like to do Hamlin.
Last year’s pond hike in Letchworth was great. It was frigid but all the trees were coated with fresh snow. The Greenway Trail is kinda dull. Doing Hamlin this year.