LtGov Pinnell invites Okies to participate in State Parks First Day Hikes

Lt. Governor Pinnell Encourages Oklahomans to Participate in State Parks First Day Hikes

(Oklahoma City, OK) – Lt. Governor Pinnell is encouraging fellow Oklahomans to kick off 2020 by participating in the nationwide State Parks First Day Hikes program. The initiative takes place at State Parks in all fifty states on New Year’s Day. Oklahoma has twenty State Parks participating across the state.

“As we enter 2020, I’m asking Oklahomans to join us in taking a First Day Hike at an area State Park,” said Lt. Governor Pinnell, who also serves as Secretary of Tourism and Branding. “This is a great opportunity to see the beauty of one of our great State Parks, and begin the New Year with a healthy, outdoor activity.”

Participants are encouraged to dress warm and wear appropriate footwear. A list of participating First Day Hikes is below. For more information, visit the TravelOK website.

Northwest

Alabaster Caverns State Park - Freedom

• Time: 10am
• Meeting location: Park Office
• Degree of difficulty: Easy
• Minimum age for kids: All ages welcome, parent participation required for those under eight years.
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: Half-mile.
• Things to bring: Water, binoculars, camera, hiking stick.
• Cancelation information: Check 580-621-3381

Boiling Springs State Park - Woodward

• Time: 2pm
• Meeting location: Scout Trail
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum age for kids: All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by parent.
• Pets on leash allowed: No
• Length of trail: one mile
• Things to bring: Water, binoculars, camera, hiking stick, snacks.
• Cancellation information: Check 580-256-7664

Roman Nose State Park - Watonga

• Time: 12pm
• Meeting location: Lodge
• Name of trail: Inspiration Point
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum age for kids: 10
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: three miles
• Things to bring: Water bottle, camera, hiking stick, closed-toed shoes/boots, medications, sunscreen.
• Cancellation information: Check 800-892-8690 or Roman Nose State Park's Facebook account.

Northeast

Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park - Bernice

• Time: 11am
• Meeting location: Bernice Nature Center
• Name of trail: Heart Healthy Trail
• Degree of difficulty: Easy, paved trail
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: One mile
• Things to bring: Camera, binoculars, water, appropriate shoes and clothes for cold weather.
• Cancellation information: Check 918-257-8330

Grand Cherokee Golf Course at Grand Lake - Langley

• Time: 2pm
• Meeting location: Pro Shop
• Degree of difficulty: Easy
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: 2.2 miles
• Things to bring: Camera, water bottle, hiking stick.
• Cancelation information: Check 918-435-8727
• Other information: Complimentary hot chocolate and coffee will be available.

Greenleaf State Park - Braggs

• Time: 10am
• Meeting location: Park Office
• Name of trail: Family Fun Trail
• Degree of difficulty: Easy
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: One mile
• Things to bring: Water bottle, binoculars, camera, hiking stick.
• Cancellation information: Check 918-487-5196

Keystone State Park - Sand Springs

• Time: 12:01am and 10:30am
• Meeting location: General Store/Park Office
• Name of trail: Rangers Pass Trail
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: 1.25 mile
• Things to bring: Water bottle, binoculars, camera, hiking stick, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear.
• Cancellation information: Check 918-865-4991
• Other information: Complimentary hot chocolate and coffee will be available.

Lake Eufaula State Park - Checotah

• Time: 10am
• Meeting location: Visitor Center
• Name of trail: Chinkapin Trail
• Degree of difficulty: Easy
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: 1.5 miles.
• Things to bring: Binoculars, camera, water, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Cancellation information: Check 918-689-5311 or Lake Eufaula State Park's Facebook page.

Osage Hills State Park - Pawhuska

• Time: 12am and 1pm
• Meeting location: Ball field in the park
• Name of trail: Creek Loop Trail/Lake Loop Trail
• Degree of difficulty: Easy for 12am hike and moderate for 1pm hike.
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: Three-fourths of a mile for 12am hike and one mile for 1pm hike.
• Things to bring: Water and weather-appropriate clothing and shoes.
• Cancellation information: Check 918-336-5635

Sequoyah State Park - Hulbert

• Time: 11:30am and 1:30pm
• Meeting location: Three Forks Nature Center
• Degree of difficulty: Easy for 11:30am hike and Moderate for 1:30pm hike.
• Minimum age for kids: Age six for hike, but all ages welcome in the Nature Center.
• Pets on leash allowed: No
• Length of trail: One mile for 11:30am hike and two miles for 1:30pm hike.
• Things to bring: Water bottle and mug for hot drinks. Wear sturdy shoes.
• Cancellation information: Check 918-772-2108 and check Sequoyah State Park's Facebook page.
• Additional information: Warm beverages will be available at Three Forks Nature Center after the hike. Bring your own mug to help reduce waste!

Southeast

Arrowhead Area at Lake Eufaula State Park - Canadian

• Time: 10am
• Meeting location: Arrowhead Park Office
• Name of trail: Trivia Trail
• Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: Half-mile
• Things to bring: Water bottle, binocular, camera, hiking stick.
• Cancellation information: Check 918-339-2204 or check the Arrowhead State Park and Golf Course's Facebook page.

Beavers Bend State Park - Broken Bow

• Time: 11am
• Meeting location: Forest Heritage Center
• Name of trail: Tree Trail
• Degree of difficulty: Easy
• Minimum age for kids: All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by parent.
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: One mile
• Things to bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, camera.
• Cancellation information: Check 580-494-6556
• Additional information: Following the hike, meet at the pavilion fireplace next to the Heritage Center for hot dogs, chips, cookies and drinks. A hay ride will occur after lunch as well. Dress appropriately for weather conditions.

Lake Wister State Park - Wister

• Time: 1pm
• Meeting location: Wards Landing Campground
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: One mile
• Things to bring: Water bottle, camera, binoculars, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Cancellation information: Check 918-655-7212

McGee Creek State Park - Atoka

• Time: 1pm
• Meeting location: Potapo Campground at T-Hill
• Name of trail: T-Hill Loop
• Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: 1.4 miles.
• Cancellation information: Check 580-889-5822
• Other information: Water, hot chocolate, coffee and snacks will be served before and after hike.

Robbers Cave State Park - Wilburton

• Time: 9:30am (both hikes)
• Meeting location: Community Room 1
• Degree of difficulty: Hike one is easy, hike two is strenuous.
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: Hike one is one mile, hike two is three miles.
• Things to bring: Binoculars, camera, hiking stick.
• Cancellation information: Check 918-465-2565
• Other information: Food and refreshments will be provided. 

South Central

Lake Murray State Park - Ardmore

• Time: 11am
• Meeting location: Lake Murray Nature Center at Tucker Tower
• Name of trail: Nature Center Loop
• Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Minimum age of kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: 1.5 miles.
• Things to bring: Water bottle, camera, binoculars.
• Cancellation information: Check 580-223-4044
• Other information: Make sure clothes and shoes are weather-appropriate.

Southwest

Fort Cobb State Park - Fort Cobb

• Time: January 4, 9:30am
• Meeting location: Eagle's Nest Pavilion
• Name of trail: Western Oaks Heart Healthy Trail
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: Three-mile loop
• Things to bring: Comfortable hiking shoes, binoculars, water, camera.
• Cancellation information: Check 405-643-2249 or Fort Cobb State Park's Facebook page.
• Other information: Guests might see eagles, deer, turkey, water fowl and other wildlife!

Foss State Park - Foss

• Time: 2pm
• Meeting location: Enclosed Cedar Point shelter above the marina.
• Name of trail: Great Western Trail
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: Two miles
• Things to bring: Water bottle, binoculars, camera, hiking stick.
• Cancellation information: Check 580-592-4433 and Foss State Park's Facebook page.

Great Plains State Park - Mountain Park

• Time: 10am
• Meeting location: Park Office
• Name of trail: Healthy Heart and Nature Trail
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum age for kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trail: Five miles
• Things to bring: Comfortable hiking shoes, binoculars, water, camera.
• Cancellation information: Check 580-569-2032

Central

Lake Thunderbird State Park - Norman

• Time: 11am
• Meeting locations: Discovery Cove Nature Center & South Dam Pavilion.
• Name of trails: Fawns Rest Accessible Trail, the Dam and Nature Center Trail. 
• Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Minimum age of kids: All ages
• Pets on leash allowed: Yes
• Length of trails: Fawns Rest Accessible Trail is a half-mile, the Dam is one mile and Nature Center Trail is two miles.
• Things to bring: Weather-appropriate clothing.
• Cancellation information: Check 405-360-3572 
• Additional information: Coffee, hot chocolate, bottled water and healthy snacks will be available after hikes.