Nevada State Parks offering free New Year’s Day hikes at Washoe Lake & Dayton

Celebrate New Year’s Day by taking a guided hike led by park rangers and local volunteers at state parks throughout Nevada as part of the nationwide First Day Hikes Program. The hikes, all of which take place Jan. 1, are free, but park entrance fees apply.

Take a short walk through the remains of the Rock Point Mill and learn some of Nevada’s early history at 10 a.m. on the Rock Point Mill hike, across from Dayton State Park. Participants are asked to park in the northeastern corner of the Gold Ranch Casino parking lot. Dogs are not permitted on the moderate, one-mile round-trip hike. Contact Kim Zuch at 775-687-4319 or washoelake@hdiss.net.

An easy three-mile, round-trip hike along the Natural Trail at Fort Churchill State Historic Park is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Meet at the John C. Fremont Picnic Area at Fort Churchill State Historic Park. Contact Kristin Sanderson at 775-577-4880 or bucklandstation@hotmail.com.

An easy sand dune hike at Washoe Lake State Park will be at 1 p.m. Turn right past the fee booth, pass the campground, and follow a short gravel road to the Equestrian Pavilion. Contact Zuch for more information.