Texas State Parks set a national record on New Year’s Day 2026, with 12,835 participants logging over 28,000 miles to achieve record-high turnout for the fourth consecutive year.
Texas Parks and Wildlife announced that Texas State Parks set new participation records for the fourth consecutive year during First Day Hikes held on New Year’s Day.On Jan. 1, 2026, a total of 86 Texas State Parks hosted 181 guided hikes that drew 12,835 participants, who logged a combined 28,154 miles while hiking.
The numbers marked record highs for sites, events, participants and miles for the fourth straight year.Participation increased by more than 3,000 people compared to 2025, while total miles hiked rose by nearly 10,000, the agency said. Texas also led the nation in the number of First Day Hike sites, events and participants.Dinosaur Valley State Park, southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, recorded the highest attendance with 931 participants, followed by Palo Duro Canyon State Park, just south of Amarillo, with 861 participants.Other parks with high participation include Brazos Bend State Park, just southwest of Houston, with 830 hikers, Cedar Hill State Park in North Texas with 624 and Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, west of DFW, with 559 hikers."Texas led the nation once again in First Day Hike participation," said Rodney Franklin, the director of Texas State Parks, said in a statement, citing favorable weather and strong family turnout."We had wonderful weather, and it was a great way to spend time with family in the outdoors at one of your Texas State Parks. So many Texans have made this event an annual tradition."First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative encouraging people to start the new year outdoors on Jan. 1. Texas State Parks offer trails ranging from short, easy walks to more strenuous routes. Trail maps are available on the department’s website and the Texas State Parks app.
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