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Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

  • 12/12/2023 11:53:00 AM
  • View Count 3856
DES MOINES – What’s the best way to spend New Year’s Day? Take a First Day Hike in an Iowa state park or forest! Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.
Celebrate a child’s first fish

Celebrate a child’s first fish

  • 7/11/2023 3:05:00 PM
  • View Count 2866
Preserve the memory of your child or grandchild hooking their first fish this summer with a special certificate. Print the certificate yourself from an electronic file posted online or request a printed certificate.
Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge!

Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge!

  • 12/21/2022 2:16:00 PM
  • View Count 10081
What are your plans for New Year's 2023? Iowa state parks and forests invite you to join the First Day Hike Challenge.
Celebrate a child’s first fish

Celebrate a child’s first fish

  • 7/12/2022 1:46:00 PM
  • View Count 4351
Preserve the memory of your child or grandchild hooking their first fish this summer with a special certificate. Print the certificate yourself from an electronic file posted online or request a printed certificate.
Safety first, during the shotgun seasons

Safety first, during the shotgun seasons

  • 11/16/2021 1:49:00 PM
  • View Count 2941
The long wait is almost over. For an expected 55-60,000 deer hunters, the shotgun deer seasons are right around the corner and before they head to the timber, it’s important that everyone go through their gear to make sure everything still fits and still works and takes time to review their hunting safety plan.
Celebrate a child’s first fish

Celebrate a child’s first fish

  • 6/23/2021 7:09:00 AM
  • View Count 1427
Preserve the memory of your child or grandchild hooking their first fish this summer with a special certificate. Print the certificate yourself from an electronic file posted online or request a printed certificate.
It's almost New Year's! Join the First Day Hike Challenge

It's almost New Year's! Join the First Day Hike Challenge

  • 12/29/2020 11:37:00 AM
  • View Count 3230
It’s time to start 2021 the right way – in an Iowa state park! Join the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge through the digital State Park Passport. The challenge takes the place of traditional guided hikes due to COVID-19.
Join the First Day Hike Challenge in Iowa State Parks

Join the First Day Hike Challenge in Iowa State Parks

  • 12/17/2020 1:45:00 PM
  • View Count 4808
DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR and Travel Iowa invite Iowans to participate in the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge to ring in the New Year through the digital State Park Passport. The challenge takes the place of traditional guided hikes due to COVID-19.
Celebrate a child’s first fish

Celebrate a child’s first fish

  • 6/2/2020 12:52:00 PM
  • View Count 4437
Preserve the memory of your child or grandchild hooking their first fish this summer with a special certificate. Print the certificate yourself from an electronic file posted online or request a printed certificate.
Record-breaking attendance at First Day Hikes in Iowa state parks

Record-breaking attendance at First Day Hikes in Iowa state parks

  • 1/3/2020 4:39:00 PM
  • View Count 3131
DES MOINES – At least 4,358 hikers took part in First Day Hikes yesterday in 49 Iowa state parks, the highest attendance since the annual event began in 2012. The New Year’s Day hikes launched the Iowa state park centennial in 2020.
Celebrate a child’s first fish

Celebrate a child’s first fish

  • 6/4/2019 2:07:00 PM
  • View Count 4569
Preserve the memory of your kid or grandkid hooking their first fish this summer with a special certificate. Print the certificate yourself from an electronic file posted online or request a printed certificate.
Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

  • 12/18/2018 1:19:00 PM
  • View Count 6323
DES MOINES – What’s the best way to spend New Year’s Day? Take a First Day Hike in one of 27 participating Iowa state parks! Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.  
All First Day Hikes for Jan. 1, 2018 Canceled Due to Frigid Temperatures

All First Day Hikes for Jan. 1, 2018 Canceled Due to Frigid Temperatures

  • 12/29/2017 2:25:00 PM
  • View Count 6245
DES MOINES – With temperatures predicted to dip well below zero, the Iowa DNR has decided to cancel First Day Hikes at 27 state parks scheduled for New Year’s Day. “While it’s a great disappointment to us to cancel this event, the safety of park visitors comes first,” said Todd Coffelt, State Parks Bureau Chief. “We know that frost bite can set in fairly quickly at those cold temperatures, so we are using caution in making this decision.”
Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

  • 12/27/2017 11:20:00 AM
  • View Count 7920
DES MOINES – What’s the best way to spend New Year’s Day? Take a First Day Hike in one of 27 participating Iowa state parks! Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.  
Save the Date: Spend January 1st on a First Day Hike in a State Park

Save the Date: Spend January 1st on a First Day Hike in a State Park

  • 12/12/2017 1:06:00 PM
  • View Count 6855
DES MOINES - Free, guided hikes will take place in 26 Iowa state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America's First Day Hikes initiative. Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.  
Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike in an Iowa State Park

Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike in an Iowa State Park

  • 12/13/2016 2:18:00 PM
  • View Count 9993
Free, guided hikes will take place in 25 Iowa state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative. All 50 states will participate in the sixth annual national event that encourages everyone to celebrate the New Year with a guided outdoor exploration.
Outdoor First Aid Tips for Dog Owners

Outdoor First Aid Tips for Dog Owners

  • 8/24/2016 11:04:00 AM
  • View Count 13286
According to a leading national survey, more than 54 percent of American households have a dog, and nearly 78 million dogs are pets across the nation. These animals can provide comfort, protection and affection for their owners to a degree nearly unrivaled in the animal kingdom, and in return we protect our pooches as best we can. But despite our best efforts, accidents occasionally happen in the great outdoors that endanger our fuzzy friends’ well-being. While first aid is never a substitute for veterinary care, ...
Celebrate a Child's First Fish

Celebrate a Child's First Fish

  • 5/3/2016 1:21:00 PM
  • View Count 139327
Commemorate the memory of a child hooking their first fish with a frameable certificate. You can print the certificate yourself from an electronic file posted online or request a printed certificate.
Iowa's First Day Hikes a Success

Iowa's First Day Hikes a Success

  • 1/5/2016 9:28:00 AM
  • View Count 5142
Des Moines – Iowa’s Fifth Annual First Day Hikes were a great success according to DNR staff reports. More than 600 people began 2016 with a hike in an Iowa state park, logging more than 1,100 total miles on New Year’s Day.
6 Ways to Start Off the New Year Outdoors

6 Ways to Start Off the New Year Outdoors

  • 12/29/2015 9:37:00 AM
  • View Count 8854
What better way to celebrate the new year than by getting outdoors? Here are a few ideas to get your year off to a good start!
10 Tips for Taking Your Kids Fishing for the First Time

10 Tips for Taking Your Kids Fishing for the First Time

  • 8/6/2014 8:23:00 AM
  • View Count 14834
Whether it’s a passion you’re hoping to pass down to the next generation, or just an idea to get the family out of the house for an afternoon, a fishing trip with your kids can be the stuff memories are made of. Keep the experience fun and positive with these handy tips.