New Mexico State Parks offer guided hikes and polar plunges on New Year’s Day
First Day Hikes initiative encourages outdoor recreation and health to start 2025
Organ Mountain News report
SANTA FE - New Mexico State Parks will host guided hikes and polar plunges on New Year’s Day as part of the nationwide America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative. The events, spanning 14 parks across the state, aim to promote outdoor recreation and healthy habits at the start of 2025.
Activities include hikes for various skill levels and polar plunges at select locations. Toby Velasquez, director of New Mexico State Parks, emphasized the benefits of spending time in nature.
“First Day Hikes are a fantastic way to begin the new year by focusing on health and well-being,” Velasquez stated in an agency news release. “Spending time outdoors, breathing in fresh air and engaging in physical activity can boost both mental and physical health. We encourage everyone to join us for a hike, embrace nature, and start the year feeling energized and connected to the outdoors.”
Event details
Guided hikes are free and open to all, with activities catering to a range of abilities. Guides will share information about local wildlife, habitats and the history of New Mexico’s state parks.
For those seeking a more daring start to the year, polar plunges are also scheduled at certain parks. Participants can take a cold-water dip at locations such as Eagle Nest Lake State Park and Storrie Lake State Park.
Below is a list of participating parks and their activities:
| Location | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Brantley Lake State Park | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | First Day Hike |
| Cerrillos Hills State Park | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | First Day Hike |
| Eagle Nest Lake State Park | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Polar Plunge |
| Eagle Nest Lake State Park | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | First Day Hike Polar Stomp |
| Elephant Butte Lake State Park | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Dam Walk First Day Hike |
| Fenton Lake State Park | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | First Day Hike |
| Hyde Memorial State Park | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | First Day Hike |
| Living Desert State Park | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | First Day Hike |
| Oliver Lee Memorial State Park | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | First Day Hike |
| Pancho Villa State Park | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | First Day Hike |
| Santa Rosa Lake State Park | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | First Day Hike |
| Storrie Lake State Park | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Polar Bear Plunge |
| Sugarite Canyon State Park | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | First Day Hike Snow Stomp |
| Sumner Lake State Park | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | First Day Hike |
| Ute Lake State Park | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | First Day Hike/Bring a Picnic |
In addition to these activities, visitors can enjoy picnicking, fishing, horseback riding or simply spending time outdoors.
How to participate
Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtags #FirstDayHikes and #NewMexicoStateParks. For information, including park locations and event schedules, visit New Mexico State Parks and click on the Event Calendar tab.