Celebrate a new year outdoors with hikes, theme park visits

The arrival of a new year is a time of celebration for people across the globe. It's customary to mark the occasion with fireworks, countdowns and champagne. For those who indulge a little too much on New Year's Eve or stay up well past midnight, Jan. 1 may be a day to recuperate. But spending New Year's Day with Mother Nature is a great way to enjoy the first few hours of a new year. Take a hike In Unicoi County, one of the simplest ways to do this is to take a hike. Time spent in crisp air can offer a great way to recharge and approach the new year in a novel way. First Day Hikes were created by America's State Parks to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors. They are held across the United States. Locally, Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park in Flag Pond has announced two hikes as 2025 shifts to 2026. The Hidden Falls End of the Year Hike is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Join park ranger Jeff Sweeney for a guided hike to a secret waterfall deep in the hollers of Rocky Fork. Along this hike participants will pass by mature cove forest, an old logging pond, mountain streams, Flint Field and a hidden waterfall. This hike is a moderate hike totaling 3.5 to 4 miles. Most of the hike is on designated trails, but the last half mile will be off trail. There will be a short creek crossing, and hikers may get their feet wet crossing Flint Creek. Participants should gather at the parking lot by the interpretive fire pit prior to the start time. There is a $7 fee. Visit https://reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/hiddenfallsendoftheyearhike2025 to register. In addition, the park is offering a free First Day Hike to Birchfield Camp from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1. The destination is a huge wetland at 4,100 feet in elevation. This unique habitat, once a five-acre lake, is home to some truly amazing plants and animals. Along the way we will pass an 80-foot waterfall and relics from Rocky Fork's logging history. Meet park ranger Marty Silver at the Interstate Welcome Center on I-26, exit 45 (Clear Branch Road) prior to the hike's start time. From there, participants will carpool to the trailhead. Dress in layers, as the weather at the top can be as much as 10 degrees cooler than the trailhead, Boots are preferred due to the shallow creek crossings. This is a steep hike. Bring enough food, water and gear to make you comfortable and happy. Visit https://reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/bcfdh2026 to register. Some other outdoor ideas for celebrating the arrival of a new year include: • Host a firepit brunch. Spending time around the firepit may seem like an activity tailor-made for autumn evenings, but dusk need not have fallen to enjoy an outdoor fire. Dress warmly and gather friends around a firepit or outdoor fireplace. Swap s'mores for cheese cubes on sticks that can be made warm and slightly melted over the open flames. • Float or paddle. Take in nature from the water. Although these types of events may be better in warmer climates, those who are courageous enough to brave the elements can spend some time kayaking or floating on waterways that have not frozen over. • Head to the slopes or a skating rink. Winter and skiing or ice skating are a perfect match. Spend the first day of the year testing out fresh powder, practicing double axels or sipping hot cocoa in the ski lodge. • Go birding. Birding can also be done solo, or with family and friends. It's a great activity for getting outdoors and enjoying some of nature's most beautiful creatures. The 2025-2026 Audubon Christmas Bird Count runs through Jan. 5, 2026, so you can always join an official count and make a contribution to citizen science. Visit https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count/join-christmas-bird-count to find one near you. • Visit a theme park. Some theme parks are still open after hosting holiday-centric special events. Crowds may be small on New Year's Day, ensuring ride enthusiasts they can ride their favorite coasters multiple times. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is open for both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas season officially concludes Jan. 4. New Year's Day needn't be all about headaches and sleeping in. Spending time outdoors is a fresh way to enjoy the start of a new year.