Start the New Year Outdoors with First Day Hikes in Talbot County

Easton, MD - Taking a First Day Hike is an annual tradition, a fun healthy way to welcome in the new year.

First Day Hikes are part of a national initiative by America’s State Parks that encourages all 50 states to offer outdoor hiking opportunities to kick off the new year. According to the American Hiking Society, last year nearly 55,000 people got outside January 1st, collectively hiking 133,000 miles throughout the country!

Talbot County Department of Parks and Recreation is excited to join in on the initiative this year, encouraging residents and visitors to check out Oxford Conservation Park on New Years Day. The park, located at 4890 Boone Creek Road in Oxford, Maryland, features a beautiful walking trail with wetland viewing areas and common sightings of native bird species. The park is open from dawn to dusk.

Talbot County Department of Emergency Services is also looking forward to seeing residents and visitors get outside, but also reminds people to plan appropriately. With colder weather, it’s important to remember to dress in layers, wear sturdy hiking shoes, wear a hat and gloves, bring water and snacks, and consider wearing sunscreen if you are outside for a long period of time.

In Talbot County, there are several excellent locations to start the year off outside.

Here are some to consider for a First Day Hike:

Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park

Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park welcomes guests to the park’s First Day Hike on the Choptank River​ Trail, a self-guided hike through a wooded area overlooking the Choptank River. It’s a great area for bird watching. The trail is about a mile in length.

For more information: Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park (maryland.gov)

Bolingbroke Park – Izaak Walton League

The Mid-Shore Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America invites the community to start the new year on the right foot with a rejuvenating First Day Hike at the scenic Bolingbroke Park. This family-friendly event offers an opportunity for individuals and families to celebrate the new year outdoors, exploring the natural beauty of the area.

Participants are encouraged to gather at Bolingbroke Park at 9 a.m. for a guided hike.

For more information about Bolingbroke and Izaac Walton League: https://iwla.org/mid-shore

Seth Demonstration Forest

This 121-acre property is located in central Talbot County just east of the town of Easton and is managed by Maryland Department of National Resources. The forest has several marked trails and is perfect for a serene hike through tall trees.

For more information: Demonstration Forests (maryland.gov)

Oxford Conservation Park

Talbot County Department of Parks and Recreation manages this scenic bird paradise located in Oxford, Maryland. The park includes a .6-mile loop trail

For more information on parks in Talbot County: https://talbotparks.org/parks/

Pickering Creek Audubon Center

Explore four miles of walking trails that wind through 400 acres of a variety of habitats representing the Coastal Plain of the Eastern Shore. Trails are open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information: Pickering Creek Audubon Center

St. Michaels Nature Trail

This 1.3 mile paved trail is easily accessible and features nice water views and a bridge that goes over San Domingo Creek. Explore the beauty of St. Michaels and walk into town afterward for breakfast or lunch!

For more information: https://www.traillink.com/trail/st-michaels-nature-trail/

For more information on parks managed by Talbot County, visit Talbot County Parks and Recreation at https://talbotparks.org/. For more information on First Day Hikes in Maryland, visit Maryland Department of Natural Resources at First Day Hikes 2024 (maryland.gov).