By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor
Pikes Peak State Park is one of 17 Iowa state parks that will sponsor a free, guided hike on New Year’s Day as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative.
America’s State Parks First Day Hikes give people an opportunity to begin the New Year connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on Friday, Jan. 1, at a state park close to home.
“It’s a big initiative that’s really taken off,” noted park ranger Rylan Retallick.
According to Priscilla Geigis, president of the National Association of State Park Directors, last year, hundreds of state parks across the country hosted a record-breaking 41,000 people who hiked 72,442 miles.