Ring In 2015 With A First Day Hike At A Maine State Park

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Bureau of Parks and Lands will be hosting a free, guided hike at five state parks on New Year's Day. It's all part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative.

Park staff and volunteers will lead the hikes, most average one to two miles in length.

Here's where the First Day Hikes will be taking place:

Lily Bay State Park, Beaver Cove starting at noon. That's a 2.5 mile ranger led hike along the shore of Moosehead Lake. Wear warm clothes, sturdy shoes or boots and bring your own snacks. FMI call 695-2700.

Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg at 1 p.m. this is an easy one-mile hike on the Fox Island. Wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes. FMI call 389-1335

Range Pond State Parks in Poland at 12:30 p.m. This is an easy 1.5 mile ranger led hike. Bring warm clothing, boots or snowshoes. FMI call 998-4104

Sebago Lake State Park in Casco at 10:30 a.m. It's a leisurely 1.5 mile woodlands hike. Snacks will be provided and hikers should wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes, snowshoes are a great idea. FMI call 693-6231,

Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park in Freeport at 10 a.m. This is only a third of a mile guided walk to enjoy winter in the woods and to learn how plants and animals survive the cold winter months. FMI call 865-4465.