Arkansas State Parks; take a hike!

LITTLE ROCK - Looking for a way to walk off that big Christmas meal? Take a hike in one of Arkansas' beautiful state parks.

First Day Hikes as they are called started 20 years ago, and will take place all over the state, and all over the country.

According to Arkansas State Parks Director Greg Butts, "State parks around Arkansas will join Americas State Parks' nationwide invitation to the public to enjoy First Day Hikes by offering individuals and families the opportunity to begin the new year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1."

He emphasized, "Enjoying a state park trail is a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature, and welcome the new year with family or friends." Butts noted that Arkansas's state park system includes 142 trails totaling 390 miles.

Arkansas State Parks First Day Hikes will be held at the following state parks:

• Bull Shoals-White River State Park (Bull Shoals)--Big Bluff Trail from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

• Cane Creek State Park (Star City)--Combination of the Delta View Trail, Timberland Trail, and Cane Creek Lake Trail from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (meet at Pavilion 1 for this six-mile hike along these three trails.) Delta View Trail from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area (Wickes)--Harris Creek Trail from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Crater of Diamond State Park (Murfreesboro)--Little Missouri River Trail from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Crowley's Ridge State Park (Paragould)--Dancing Rabbit Trail from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Meet at the park visitor center.

• Davidsonville Historic State Park (Pocahontas)--Trapper Lake Trail from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Meet at the park visitor center.

• DeGray Lake Resort State Park (Bismarck)--Shoreline Hike from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Delta Heritage Trail State Park (Barton)--Trail walk from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Later beginning at 1:30 p.m. there will be a Bike Tour on the trail that is expected to last approximately two hours ($10 fee for Bike Tour includes bike rental, if needed).

• Devil's Den State Park (West Fork)--Devil's Den Trail from 10 a.m. to noon (meet at the park visitor center). Yellow Rock Trail from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m..

• Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area (Rogers)--Shaddox Hollow Trail from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sinking Stream Trail from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

• Jacksonport State Park (Jacksonport)--Tunstall Riverwalk Trail from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. A"Mighty Hike" to explore wooded areas at the confluence of White and Black rivers from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (meet at the boat launch ramp parking lot).

• Lake Catherine State Park (Hot Springs)--Falls Branch Trail from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Lake Charles State Park (Powhatan)--White Oak Trail from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Lake Chicot State Park (Lake Village)--Delta Woodlands Trail from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (meet at the park visitor center). "Lakeside Hike" stroll along the lakeshore from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (meet behind campsite #127 in the park campground).

• Lake Dardanelle State Park (Russellville)--Meadowbrook Trail from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Meet at the amphitheater.

• Lake Fort Smith State Park (Mountainburg)--Ozark Highlands Trail from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the park visitor center.

• Lake Ouachita State Park (Mountain Pine)--Caddo Bend Trail. Hikes of three different lengths from one to four miles will be led by park staff and volunteers from the Ouachita Mountain Hikers. All hikes begin at 10 a.m. In addition, a New Year/New Start Campfire will be hosted by park staff from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Relax by the campfire and enjoy hot beverages and healthy treats.

• Lake Poinsett State Park (Harrisburg)--Great Blue Heron Trail from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Logoly State Park (McNeil)--Crane's Fly Trail from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Meet at the park visitor center. [Call the park ahead of time to join this hike.]

• Millwood State Park (Ashdown)--Waterfowl Way Trail from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Mississippi River State Park (Marianna)--Bear Creek Lake Nature Trail from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Trotting Fox Trail from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Moro Bay State Park (Jersey)--Deer Run Trail from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

• Mount Magazine State Park (Paris)--Hike to Arkansas's highest point on the Signal Hill Trail from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Meet in the lobby of The Lodge at Mount Magazine.

• Mount Nebo State Park (Dardanelle)--Summit Park Trail from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Meet at park visitor center parking lot.

• Petit Jean State Park (Morrilton)--Cedar Falls Trail from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (meet at the CCC Room in Mather Lodge, the park's mountain lodge). CCC Hike/Bike Trail for a "Petit Jean History Hike" from 11:15 a.m. to noon (meet at the visitor center parking lot). Bear Cave Hike from 1:30 p.m to 2:15 p.m. (meet at the Bear Cave parking lot). Rock House Cave Hike from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. (meet at the Rock House Cave parking lot).

• Pinnacle Mountain State Park (Roland)--East Summit Trail from 9 a.m. to noon (meet at the trailhead). Rocky Valley Trail from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (meet at the park visitor center for this hike that includes the Rocky Valley Trail and the East Quarry Trail.)

• Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park (Prairie Grove)--Here at one of America's most intact Civil War battlefields, learn about the 1862 Battle of Prairie Grove. Take a self-guided walk along the one-mile Battlefield Trail or drive the five-mile Driving Tour. Both trails are well marked and have information panels along the way. [NOTE: These are self-guided trail experiences.]

• Queen Wilhelmina State Park (Mena)--Lover's Leap Trail from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• Village Creek State Park (Wynne)--Military Road Trail from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Meet at the Lake Austell boat ramp.

• Withrow Springs State Park (Huntsville)--War Eagle Trail from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Meet at the Dogwood trailhead on Ark. 23.

• Woolly Hollow State Park (Greenbrier)--Huckleberry Trail. Choose from three separate hikes ranging from 1/2 mile to 3 1/2 miles in length from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Details about these hikes and all other programs to be held in the state parks on January 1 are online at: www.ArkansasStateParks.com .