Re-boot with First Day Hikes

Every year on New Year's Day, the Oregon State Parks Department encourages people to explore all the beauty the state has to offer with First Day Hikes. These free excursions are guided by park rangers or volunteers who lead the way and share stories about the park’s history, geology, wildlife and plants.

This year, three of the 24 hikes happening across the state will be on the Central Coast.

All hikes are free and day-use fees will be waived at all parks that normally charge a parking fee. Dogs on leash are welcome.

Plan for winter weather, dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, bring water and remember to carry binoculars for wildlife viewing.

Nehalem Bay State Park

An easy two-mile hike on the Nehalem Bay Loop Trail through forested areas and by the bay. Trail conditions included paved, level ground with a gravel section about 100 yards in length.

The group will meet at 9 am in the main parking lot, 34600 Garey Street, Nehalem,

South Beach State Park South Jetty

Join a ranger on a one-hour mushroom identification hike. Trail conditions include paved and hard packed dirt and might not be suitable for strollers. Bring a brown paper bag to collect your finds.

The group will meet at the South Jetty Day-use Area, at 10 am, 5580 SW Coast Hwy., Newport.

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area

Join a park ranger for a 2.5-mile hike that will include bird watching, whale watching and mushroom identification. The route will include the Beltzs Dike, which goes through the Sand Lake Estuary, providing an opportunity to bird watch and maybe even see a river otter, before following a loop trail through the forest with views of the estuary and access to the beach. The trail on the dike is packed with gravel and level. Once you enter the forest the trail narrows some and is a mix of dirt and sand with small ups and downs.

The group will meet in the parking lot at noon, Sandlake Road, Cloverdale.

For more information, go to stateparks.oregon.gov.