Iowa state parks will not host their usual, guided First Day Hikes this week, but officials still encourage residents to hit the trails.Â
The guided hikes, which at some local parks drew hundreds, will not be held this year due to COVID-19 concerns.Â
However, the state is hosting the First Day Hike Challenge in its place. Participants can check into more than 50 participating state parks from Friday, Jan. 1, through Sunday, Jan. 3, with the free State Park Passport program, according to a press release. It states that every check-in will qualify a participant for a prize drawing of a free, two-night stay at a two-bedroom cabin at Lake Darling State Park.