Hike at a state park on January 1

(VERSAILLES, Ind.) – You can kick off the new year by going hiking at a local state park on Thursday, January 1. 

The hikes have been organized by Indiana State Parks in cooperation with America’s State Parks. 

Organizers say it is an ideal way to kick off the semiquincentennial year.

Here are the local hiking opportunities:

• Brookville Lake. Meet at the Campground Shelter at Mounds State Recreation Area at 11 a.m. to hike the Wildlife Wander Trail, a .75-mile hike that should take approximately 45 minutes.

• Versailles State Park. Meet at the Oak Grove parking lot at 10 a.m. for a moderate 2-mile hike over sections of trails 2 and 3. Light refreshments will be available at Oak Grove Shelter after the hike.

• Clifty Falls State Park. Meet at the outdoor pool at 10 a.m. This 1.5-hour rugged hike will explore the canyons and ravines of Clifty Falls. Refreshments will be provided afterward.

• Brown County State Park. Meet at 11 a.m. at the Olympic Pool parking area for an out and back hike on Salt Creek Trail, rated easy, a 2-mile total hike on which you can learn about the trail and the history of the bridges over Salt Creek. Hot chocolate will be provided at the trailhead.