Area state parks participating in First Day hiking program

Want to get 2025 off to a healthy start? Oklahoma’s state parks are ready to help.

Multiple state parks across Oklahoma, including three in Southwest Oklahoma, plan to participate in the First Day Hike initiative, a national program that encourages individuals and families across the country to stay active with a hike outdoors on the first day of the new year. The guided hikes are designed for a variety of participants, from active to couch potatoes, and to help stimulate participation, the need for parking passes will be waived at participating state parks during the First Day hikes.

Parks that will participate on Jan. 1 include:

Great Plains State Park, Mountain Park

Registration begins at 11 a.m. for the noon hikes that will leave from the park office parking lot. The 3-mile Granite Hills hike is rated moderate, while the 1 mile AARP Heart Healthy hike is easy. Getting there from Lawton: U.S. 62 west to U.S. 183, then north through Mountain Park to County Road E1570, west to E1566 Road and into park. The park is adjacent to Tom Steed Reservoir. (580) 569-2032.

Quartz Mountain State Park, Lone Wolf

Participants should meet in the lobby of Quartz Mountain Lodge at 10 a.m. for the 1 mile Twin Peaks hike (which is rated easy) and the park office at 1 p.m. for the 3 mile Baldy Trail hike (rated difficult). Trekking poles are recommended for the Baldy Point hike. Getting there from Lawton: U.S. 62 west to Altus, then U.S. 283 north out of Altus and through Blair. Outside Blair, watch for the highway to divide into 44A (follow the sign to Lone Wolf); after taking 44A, watch for the sign announcing Quartz Mountain State Park at main entrance. The park is adjacent to Lake Altus-Lugert. (580) 563-2238.

Fort Cobb State Park, Fort Cobb

Fort Cobb State Park will hold its First Day hike on Jan. 4. Participants should meet at the Eagle Nest Pavilion at 9:45 a.m. for moderate 3-mile hike that begins at 10 a.m. Getting there from Lawton: I-44 north to U.S. 62, to Oklahoma 9 West through Fort Cobb to Country Street 2530, then north to Eagles Nest Cove. The park is adjacent to Fort Cobb Lake. (405) 643-2249.

Other state parks participating in First Day hikes may be viewed at https://www.travelok.com/articles/first-day-hikes-at-oklahoma-state-parks.