Wyoming State Parks Experiences Successful First Day Hikes 2022

Despite cold temperatures experienced across much of the state on New Year’s Day, over 300 adventurous visitors braved the winter weather conditions to ring in the New Year at a Wyoming State Parks’ First Day Hike event!

“It was a wonderful day to be outdoors and to celebrate the New Year” said Laurel Thompson, Outreach Coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “We had great turn out by those unshaken by weather endeavors, and we are thankful for the support of our visitors and local communities.”

For the 11^th consecutive year, Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails hosted First Day Hikes, part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.

This year, 14 New Year’s Day guided hikes and walks were held at participating State Parks and Historic Sites, with 310 participants hiking more than a combined 600 miles of trails.

            Participating sites and their number of hikers were:

⮚     Bear River State Park – 26

⮚     Boysen State Park – 20

⮚     Buffalo Bill State Park – 8

⮚     Curt Gowdy State Park – 28

⮚     Edness K. Wilkins State Park – 25

⮚     Fort Bridger State Historic Site – 30

⮚     Guernsey State Park – 31

⮚     Hot Springs State Park – 20

⮚     Medicine Lodge Archeological Site – 30

⮚     Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site – 16

⮚     Sinks Canyon State Park – 33

⮚     South Pass City State Historic Site – 30

⮚     Trail End State Historic Site – 9

⮚     WY Pioneer Memorial Museum – 4

Wyoming State Parks would like to thank all of our Friends Groups that helped support this year’s First Day Hikes.