First Day Hikes to take place Saturday at Arkansas state parks

WICKES, Ark. — A New Year’s tradition continues this year at Arkansas State Parks.

Cossatot River State Park and others across the state will kick off the New Year by encouraging Arkansans to participate in a guided First Day Hike in Saturday.

Last year’s guided hikes were canceled due to COVID-19 and participants were invited to take self-guided hikes instead.

This year, however, the guided hike by state park interpreters is back on. Cossatot River will host its guided hike from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the two-mile Harris Creek Trail and on to scenic Goat’s Bluff Overlook. Participants are asked to meet at the visitor center. Visitors are also invited to take their own self-guided hikes for this New Year’s tradition.

Cossatot River State Park is located east of Wickes, Arkansas on Highway 278. It features four scenic trails spanning nearly 20 miles. .

Visitors who log their hikes and miles that take place at Cossatot River State Park can share their experiences at ArkansasStateParks.com/ FirstDayHikes online.

Murfreesboro hike

Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas is also hosting a First Day Hike on Saturday. Crater of Diamonds is celebrating its 50th year as an Arkansas State Park in 2022.

The hike will begin at 10:30 a.m. and end around noon. Gates will open 15 minutes early for participants to arrive and gather with the park superintendent in the main parking area near the visitor center. All park facilities will be closed on New Year’s Day, and diamond searching will not be allowed during the hike. The park will resume normal operations at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2.