Events

Every January 1, state park systems across the country throw open their gates for First Day Hikes, free guided walks designed to start the new year on the trail. It has become one of the most reliable family outdoor traditions in America, welcoming first-timers and seasoned hikers alike.

National Park Week happens every April and opens the gates to every national park in the country without an entrance fee for several days. Ranger programs, junior ranger activities, and special events run across hundreds of sites, making it one of the best times of year to introduce kids to the parks. Plan ahead, pick your park, and go.

Every September, National Public Lands Day opens the gates of hundreds of federal sites for free and invites families to pitch in on trail work, plantings, and cleanups across the country. It is the largest single-day volunteer effort in the United States, and it doubles as one of the best excuses of the year to get outside together. Plan a full weekend around it and your kids will come home with dirty boots and a genuine sense of ownership over the land.

National Trails Day falls on the first Saturday of June every year, drawing families across the country into parks, forests, and greenways for organized hikes and hands-on trail work. It is the largest single-day trails event in America, hosted by the American Hiking Society and local trail partners. A morning of digging, clearing, or walking with a crew is one of the best ways to show kids that public lands belong to the people who care for them.