First Day Hikes Near Boston, MA

New Year's Day is a fresh start on a brand new year. What better way to spend it than to enjoy an invigorating first day hike with friends and family in the great outdoors.

Several venues host annual first day hikes near Boston.  Most notably, DCR's Blue Hills Reservation started this tradition in Massachusetts over 20 years ago.

Blue Hills Reservation Annual First Day Hike

Join the “Granddaddy of First Day Hikes” and celebrate New Year’s Day in the Blue Hills.

January 1 

• Gather at Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area at 11:00am.
• Two guided hikes and one self-guided hike at 12:00pm.
• Enjoy hot cocoa and celebrate the first day of the year

12 p.m. 840 Hillside Street, Milton Gather at Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 11 a.m. Two guided hikes and one self-guided hike at 12 p.m. Co-Sponsored by Friends of the Blue Hills and Trailside Museum Parking and space are limited. There is no parking outside DCR property

For more info, call 617-727-4573, ext. 4.  Meet at the Houghton's Pond main parking lot at 840 Hillside Street in Milton. Arrive early for this popular event. Parking is limited.

Enjoy the Outdoors!

First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year with a rejuvenating outdoor experience by reconnecting with nature and fitting in a few hours of exercise.  Download a printable flyer for 2024

What to Bring / Wear

Visitors attending should wear appropriate foot wear for the conditions and bring hats, gloves, scarves and other necessary outdoor apparel.

Popular First Day Hike destinations near Boston:

BOSTON
Pope John Paul II Park Reservation – 10 a.m.
Hallet Street, Boston
1 mile hike
Meet by the Kiosk at Hallet St. Entrance.
Co-Sponsored by the Neponset River Greenway Council

NORTH SUBURBS

Breakheart Reservation - 10:00 am
177 Forest Street, Saugus, MA
Hikes range from 2-3 miles
Meet at the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center.
Hot chocolate and clam chowder by the fire in visitor center after hike
Co-sponsored by the Friends of Breakheart

Halibut Point State Park - 10:00am
4 Gott Avenue, Rockport, MA
Meet at parking lot starting at 9:00am
3 mile hike
Co-Sponsored by the Friends of Halibut Point State Park

Harold Parker State Forest– 10:00 a.m.
305 Middleton Road, North Andover
2 mile hike
Meet at Berry Pond Beach.
Co-sponsored by the Friends of Harold Parker State Forest

Walden Pond State Reservation - 12:00pm
915 Walden St, Concord, MA
Meet at the Thoreau House Replica
1 mile hike
Hot chocolate will be served in Thoreau House Replica after hike

SOUTH SUBURBS 

South Cape Beach State Park – 10:00 a.m.
668 Great Oak Rd, Mashpee
1-2 mile hike
Meet at the visitor center.
Co-sponsored by Friends of Waquoit Bay

Blue Hills Reservation - 12:00pm
840 Hillside St, Milton
Gather at Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area at 11:00am.
Two guided hikes and one self-guided hike at 12:00pm.
Enjoy hot chocolate
Co-Sponsored by Friends of the Blue Hills
Parking and space are limited. There is no parking outside DCR property

WEST SUBURBS

Great Falls Discovery Center - 1:00 pm
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA
Meet at the Great Hall.
3 mile hike
Hot chocolate in visitor center after hike
Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center

Chester Blandford State Forest - 1:00 pm
631 U.S. Route 20, Chester, MA
Meet at Sanderson Brook Falls Parking Lot
2 mile hike
Co-sponsored by the Western MA Hilltown Hikers

CENTRAL SUBURBS

Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park - 10:00 am
287 Oak Street, Uxbridge, MA
Meet at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center.
Registration begins at 9:00 am. 2 mile hike.
Hot chocolate and fire after hike

Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center – 10:00 a.m.
3 Paul Clancy Way, Worcester
5 mile hike
Meet at the visitor center.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

<b>Dunn State Park</b> – 10 a.m. 289 Pearl Street, Gardner 1.5 mile hike Meet at the Pond House. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Accessible hike – 11 a.m. Co-led by DCR’s Universal Access Program and All Out Adventures. Register by noon on December 31 by calling 413-584-2052 or emailing [email protected].

Dunn State Park - 10:00am
289 Pearl Street, Gardner, MA
Meet at the Pond House.
1.5 mile hike
Registration begins 9:00am. 

Accessible hike – 11:00 a.m.
Co-led by DCR’s Universal Access Program and All Out Adventures.
Register by noon on December 31 by calling 413-584-2052 or emailing [email protected].

Pearl Hill State Park – 10:00a.m.
105 New Fitchburg Rd, Townsend
2 mile hike
Meet at 105 New Fitchburg Rd,
Townsend. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

Wachusett Reservoir - 11:00am
167 Temple St (Rt 140), West Boylston, MA
Meet at Gate 22 on Rt 140 starting at 10:00am
2.2 mile hike

Best wishes to you and your family for a healthy and prosperous New Year!  Get your year off to a great start with our handy guide to January Events in Boston, and take advantage of lots of fun winter activities for families & kids.  And if it happens to snow, being in the know about where the best sledding hills near Boston is key for outdoor family fun. 

And if hiking and walking is your thing, you can find dozens of great places both in and around Boston to enjoy the great outdoors.

We hope that this list of Free things to Do in Boston has been helpful to you.  There is certainly so much more to explore - check out our Boston Events Calendar here, or our Rainy Day guide to finding fun ways to be entertain your Boston family when it's raining.  

Many venue also host open houses on certain holidays, so you can always stay in-the-know about holiday happenings in Massachusetts in our helpful guide to family fun.

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Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and
activities website, BostonCentral for over 20 years.  She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area.