First Day Hikes draw record crowds

Texans rang in the new year on the trails as Texas State Parks recorded its fourth straight year of record participation during its annual First Day Hike events.

Several parks reported especially high turnout, including Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Brazos Bend State Park, Cedar Hill State Park and Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.

Locally, hikers gathered at Hill Country State Natural Area to start the year outdoors on the park’s trails.