Rhode Islanders Encouraged To Ring In 2021 By Getting Outdoors

COVENTRY, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is encouraging residents to get outside this New Year's Day with a "first day hike."

"This year has seen many changes and challenges making it difficult to hold our traditional New Year’s Day guided hike in the same way as in the past," the department wrote on Facebook.
"But we still want to keep the tradition going!"

Rhode Islanders are encouraged to get outside and share a picture of their socially distant hike on social media with the hashtag "#firstdayhike."

There are state parks and hiking trails across the state, and several spots where Rhode Islanders can pick up a special "first hike 2021" commemorative pin. These locations are:

• Burlingame Campground, Charlestown
• Colt State Park, Bristol
• Fort Adams State Park, Newport
• Goddard Memorial State Park, Warwick
• John H. Chafee Nature Preserve, North Kingstown
• Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln

When hiking, residents are asked to follow all coronavirus safety guidelines, including mask-wearing and not gathering in groups outside single households. Properly dispose of all personal protective equipment such as disposable masks and gloves, and carry out whatever waste you carry in.

In areas that allow for deer hunting, hikers must wear at least 500 square inches of orange safety clothing, such as a vest and a hat. Read more about safety orange requirements and learn which sites require it here.

More information about hiking in Rhode Island is available on the Department of Environmental Management's website.