Start 2027 Outside: First Day Hikes, Torchlight Parades and the Last Sunset of 2026

On the last afternoon of 2026, the light goes gold early. On a Colorado ski slope, instructors gather torches for the evening's run. In Key West, a crowd drifts toward the water to watch the sun drop into the Gulf. And the next morning, while much of the country sleeps in, hikers in fleece and wool hats are lacing boots at trailheads from Massachusetts to California, ready to start the year on a trail.

New Year's does not have to be only about midnight. Here is how to spend the turn of the year outdoors: a final sunset on December 31, a torchlight parade in the mountains, and a First Day Hike on Friday, January 1, 2027.

What are First Day Hikes?

First Day Hikes are free, guided hikes held in state parks across all 50 states on New Year's Day. The program is promoted nationally by America's State Parks and is designed for families and hikers of every ability.

The tradition began at Blue Hills Reservation in Massachusetts in 1992 and has been held in every state since 2012. According to America's State Parks, more than 73,000 people joined First Day Hikes on January 1, 2026. Distances and difficulty vary by park, from short nature walks to longer mountain outings, and many are led by rangers and volunteers who know the local history and wildlife.

• Date: Friday, January 1, 2027.
• Cost: the guided hikes are typically free; some parks charge their usual entry or parking fees.
• Find one: state park systems typically post their First Day Hike listings in late fall.

Where can you do a First Day Hike in Virginia?

Every Virginia State Park takes part, and parking has been free at all of them on January 1. Near Damascus, Grayson Highlands and Hungry Mother State Parks are two of the best choices in Southwest Virginia.

When Christmas is over, Damascus does not put away its hiking boots. The town at the junction of the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail makes an ideal base for a New Year's in the mountains. Read our guide to Damascus, Virginia, Trail Town USA for lodging and dining ideas.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Virginia's highest state park sits beside Mount Rogers, the state's tallest peak, and is famous for open balds, rocky outcrops and wild ponies. For its 2026 First Day Hike, rangers led a 2.5-mile round trip from Massie Gap. Expect real winter conditions at elevation: wind, cold and possibly snow or ice.

Hungry Mother State Park

Near Marion, Hungry Mother centers on a mountain lake ringed by forest trails, making it a gentler option for families. Check Virginia State Parks for 2027 hike times and confirm the free-parking offer before you go.

• Base: Damascus, with inns, bed-and-breakfasts, cabins and outfitters.
• Bonus: the Virginia Creeper Trail between Abingdon and Damascus is open for a New Year's walk or ride; the upper section to Whitetop Station is closed for reconstruction, scheduled to reopen March 31, 2027.
• Pack: layers, traction for icy trails, water and a headlamp for short winter days.

Which ski towns have torchlight parades on New Year's Eve?

Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is one of the best known, and many ski resorts in Colorado, Utah, Vermont, Idaho and other mountain states traditionally hold torchlight descents on New Year's Eve.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Steamboat Resort traditionally celebrates New Year's Eve in the early evening with a Light Up Snow Cat Parade: grooming machines covered in lights lead the way down the mountain, followed by ski instructors carving synchronized turns with glowing torches. Fireworks follow over the slopes. Because it happens early, families can watch the show, have dinner and still choose whether to stay up for midnight. Check the resort's event calendar for the 2026 schedule and arrival tips.

From below, a torchlight parade is quietly spectacular. The mountain disappears into darkness and a ribbon of light winds slowly toward the base. A day on the slopes, a lodge dinner and an illuminated mountain is a very different New Year's Eve from Times Square, and for many travelers, a better one.

Where is the best place to watch the last sunset of the year?

Key West's Mallory Square, the California coast and the desert Southwest are three of America's classic places to watch the final sunset of the year.

Key West, Florida

Mallory Square's nightly sunset celebration, with street performers and crowds lining the waterfront, takes on extra meaning on December 31. Watch the sun set over the Gulf, have dinner, then join the island's offbeat midnight countdowns.

The California coast

Anywhere the coast faces west, from rocky headlands to long beaches, the sun sinks straight into the Pacific. Winter skies after a storm can be especially vivid. Arrive early, since popular overlooks fill on New Year's Eve.

The desert Southwest

In the Southwest, the final minutes of daylight turn red rock, mesas and saguaro silhouettes into a glowing study in color. Desert evenings cool fast, so bring a warm layer, and know that higher towns such as Flagstaff can be snowy.

Watching the last sunset changes the rhythm of the day. Instead of rushing toward midnight, there is a moment to stop and acknowledge that another year is nearly complete.

How do you plan an outdoor New Year's weekend?

Pair an evening event on December 31 with a morning hike on January 1, and base yourself somewhere you can do both without a long drive.

• Mountain weekend: torchlight parade and fireworks on New Year's Eve, then a First Day Hike or snowshoe on New Year's Day.
• Appalachian weekend: Damascus for the holidays, Grayson Highlands or Hungry Mother on January 1.
• Warm-weather weekend: last sunset in Key West or on the California coast, then a beach or state park walk on January 1.
• Safety: check forecasts and trail conditions, start early and tell someone your plans.

Start the new year with Explore USA

This guide builds on the Damascus and New Year's Eve features in the Fall 2026 Special Holiday Edition of Explore USA Magazine. For more ideas, browse our Outdoor Activities stories.