Those who want to kick off 2020 with a stroll through nature need only show up at an Oregon state park.

The annual First Day Hikes event will bring free, guided hikes to 31 state park sites around the state, encouraging people to start their year outside.

All hikes will take place on Jan. 1, and will be led by a park ranger or volunteer, who will share stories about the park’s history, geology, wildlife and plants, according to an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department news release.

The hikes will be free, and day-use fees will be waived at all participating parks for the day. Online registration isn’t required, but is encouraged for those who want to take part.

Oregon state parks have hosted the First Day Hikes program since 2012, as part of a larger, national event organized by America’s State Parks.

Here are the parks participating the New Year’s Day festivities:

PORTLAND

· L.L. Stub Stewart State Park

10 a.m., meet at Clayhill horse staging area.

· Milo McIver State Park

10 a.m., meet at the Maple Ridge Trailhead in the Lower Boat Launch parking lot.

· Tryon Creek State Park

9 a.m., meet at the nature center.

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE

· Deschutes River State Recreation Area

9 a.m., meet at Oregon Trail kiosk.

· Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

1 p.m., meet at the Mark O. Hatfield East trailhead in the Mosier Twin Tunnels parking lot.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY/CASCADES

· Champoeg State Heritage Area

10 a.m. and 2 p.m., meet at the visitor center.

· Dexter State Recreation Site

9 a.m., meet at the Dexter Disc Golf course.

· Elijah Bristow State Park

Noon, meet at the equestrian parking area for horse riding (bring your own horse).

· Silver Falls State Park

9 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., meet at South Falls Lodge porch.

· Willamette Mission State Park

10 a.m., meet at the Wheatland Ferry.

OREGON COAST

· Bullards Beach State Park

1 p.m., meet at the meeting hall.

· Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint

noon, meet in the Cape Meares parking lot.

· Crissey Field State Recreation Site

11 a.m., meet at the welcome center.

· Fort Stevens State Park

10 a.m., meet in the Battery Russell parking lot.

· Humbug Mountain State Park

10 a.m., meet at the Humbug Mountain trailhead.

· Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park

10 a.m., meet in the group camp parking lot.

· Oswald West State Park

8 a.m., meet at the Cape Falcon trailhead.

· Seal Rock State Recreation Site

9:30 a.m., meet in the Seal Rock parking lot.

· Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

1 p.m., meet at Lake Marie Day-use area.

· William M. Tugman State Park

10 a.m., meet at the Eel Lake boat ramp.

SOUTHERN OREGON

· Collier Memorial State Park

9 a.m., meet at the Logging Museum.

· Golden State Heritage Site

1 p.m., meet in the Historic Church.

· Illinois River Forks State Park

9:30 a.m., meet in the Seal Rock parking lot.

· Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area

9 a.m., meet at the group camp.

· TouVelle State Park

11 a.m., meet at the day-use area.

· Valley of the Rogue State Park

1 p.m., meet at the amphitheater. 1 p.m., meet at Del Rio Vineyards (bring your own bike); 1 p.m., meet at Rogue River Bridge in the city of Rogue River (bring your own bike).

EASTERN/CENTRAL OREGON

· Cottonwood Canyon State Park

10 a.m., meet at the experience center.

· Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area

11 a.m., meet at the interpretive kiosk (bring your own snowshoes).

· LaPine State Park

11 a.m., meet at the meeting hall in the south loop.

· Smith Rock State Park

10 a.m., meet at the welcome center.

· Wallowa Lake State Park

10 a.m., meet in the Group Camp A parking lot.

--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB