First Day Hike – Gilbert Lake State Park

Wondering how to start 2024 on the right foot? Come out for a First Day Hike at Gilbert Lake State Park from 9:00am until 12:00pm on January 1, 2023 at Gilbert Lake State Park.

Celebrate the new year at Gilbert Lake State Park located at 18 CCC Rd, Laurens, Otsego County, NY. Join family, friends and neighbors on Monday, January 1st, from 9:100am-Noon.

There will be warm fires in the Briggs Pavilion to offer a cozy space to warm up with hot tea, cocoa, coffee, and snacks after your hike and there will be a fire going outside for marshmallow roasting as well!

Please remember to bring non-perishable items, or personal care items to donate to the Martin Luther King Food Drive.

This is a state-wide food drive that runs until February 9, 2024. Last year you all outdid yourselves from the previous year and donated 67 lbs. of food and care items to the local food banks. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

There will also be a drawing at the end of the event for a complimentary Empire Pass for the 2024 season. Stop in at the Briggs Pavilion from 9a-12p to enter for the drawing. Winner will be notified the following day!

The First Day Hike at Gilbert Lake State Park is also the park of the Winter Octet Outdoor Challenge presented by Otsego Outdoors.

This annual winter-time challenge is designed to encourage participation in winter outdoor activities. By completing eight of the featured activities between December 21, 2023 and March 18, 2024 you can earn the Winter Octet patch and sticker. For more information about the Winter Octet Challenge please visit Otsego Outdoors Winter Octet Challenge.