First Day Hikes in Maryland State Parks
First Day Hikes include First Weekend Outdoor Opportunities, with Ranger-led Hikes and Self-Guided Hike Options for the Whole Family!
Maryland State Parks will be offering First Weekend hike opportunities across the state from December 31, 2021- January 2, 2022. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages all 50 states to offer outdoor hiking opportunities on the first day of the new year! Join in Maryland on January 1 or throughout the first weekend of the new year for a hike at a state park near you.
The closest one to us is a self-guided, mile-long, easy First Day Hike in Sandy Point State Park. Read more.
First Day Hikes in Anne Arundel County
The hikes are intended to promote an alternate way of celebrating the New Year by going outside, getting some exercise, and enjoying local nature and history. Start your year off on the right foot by joining knowledgeable park rangers, naturalists, and volunteers in one of our County’s beautiful parks:
- Bacon Ridge Natural Area, 10am – noon
- Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, 9am – noon
- Downs Park, 10 – 11:30am
- Kinder Farm Park, 10 – 11:30am
- Fort Smallwood Park, 10 – 11am
- Lake Waterford Park, 10 – 11:30am
- South River Farm Park, noon – 2pm
- Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Park, 2 – 3:30pm
- Magothy Greenway Natural Area, 10am – 2pm
- Magothy River Association presents a self-guided hike, perfect for social distancing, that includes a scavenger hunt for kids (and grown-ups).
Sturdy footwear, binoculars, cameras, and a water bottle are recommended. Dress for the weather. Current health guidelines will be followed. This program is free, but registration is required.
See page 24 of the County’s Winter Program Guide for details or click here.
First Day Hikes in Annapolis
Spa Creek – Join the Spa Creek Conservancy and hike in the creek that runs through the heart of Annapolis. Info.
Tags: Anne Arundel County Parks, Bacon Ridge Natural Area, Downs Park, Fort Smallwood Park, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Park, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Kinder Farm Park, Lake Waterford Park, Magothy Greenway Natural Area, Magothy River, Magothy River Association, South River Farm Park, Spa Creek, Spa Creek Conservancy, State of Maryland Parks
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
A GreenGive partner event.
Volunteer Opportunity: Give a few hours to protect the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area from invasive invaders!
The Invasive Species Control Program Weekly Workdays, on Thursdays, from May 20 to August 26 • 8 am to 11 am • Rain or Shine.
Volunteers will work on designated trail sections to remove specified invasive plant species. The species of focus include Japanese stiltgrass, wavyleaf basketgrass, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry. Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plant species.
Info and to register
Eye on Annapolis Podcast: “We’re Being Invaded!”
Tags: Bacon Ridge Natural Area, invasive species, volunteer
An Almost-First-Day Hike
1-2 miles
Kick off the new year and walk off those holiday treats with a hike at the beautiful Bacon Ridge Natural Area in Crownsville. Arundel Rivers Federation and Scenic Rivers Land Trust are partnering to take you on a guided hike of this 1000+ acre protected, public asset at the heart of our county. Staff from each organization will be on hand to point out important ecological features of the area.
The hike is open to all ages and skill levels, though please note that these are unpaved trails and the terrain can be hilly. The hike will be approximately 1-2 miles. See Location here. Learn more about the trail here.
We will meet at the gravel parking lot on Hawkins Road at 9:50 am. Since parking is limited, please RSVP.
Tags: Arundel Rivers Federation, Bacon Ridge Natural Area, scenic rivers land trust
