The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host its First Day Hike Challenge for 2021 beginning Friday.

Springbrook State Park in Guthrie County is one of the participation locations. DNR Training Specialist Ann Riordan says it was important to change the event slightly to make it more pandemic friendly.

“The beauty of this year though is since it’s not a set time for the hike, it’s not a guided hike, it’s a self-guided hike. We don’t have to worry about large numbers of people which is a positive for this year. You can come with your own little pod and do the hike and just enjoy nature and not be in a big group, just be out in the fresh air and taking a look at the new year.”

There are 50 participating parks for the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge listed on the State Park Passport at the Iowa DNR website. Every check-in for the challenge is an entry for a prize, which includes a free 2-night stay at a 2-bedroom cabin at Lake Darling State Park in Brighton.

Hikers can register entries for the First Day Hike challenge through Sunday.