It’s hard to state that Roan Mountain State Park is a secret anymore.

Being one of two state parks in Carter County, the facility received a lot of community support in 2016 and is looking to carry over momentum into the year with the annual First Day Hike scheduled for Sunday, January 1.

To keep up the theme of “new”, attendees are encouraged to stop by Overflow Cabin Parking Area and Recycling Station Sunday at 2 p.m. to scale Moonshiners’ Run – the park’s newest trail.

The trail will double as a hiking/mountain biking trail, according to Park Ranger Meg Guy, adding the park is excited to showcase what the newest trail has to offer.

Participants walk 1.5 miles out and 1.5 miles back along “moderately difficult terrain”, according to the RMSP website, and will be led by Park Ranger Josh Howard.

“This always proves to be a nice community event,” Guy said. “It is a great way for people looking to spend the new year a different way with through recreation and fellowship with other hikers.”

These type of events always prove to be an exciting way to start off the new year, according to Deputy Commissioner for Parks and Conversation Brock Hill.

“Our First Day Hikes are our most popular annual guided event statewide,” he said. “It’s a great way to start your New Year’s resolutions off right and see the wonder of our state during this beautiful season.”

With the new year less than a week away, Guy looked back at this year with praise knowing that it was one of the busiest years at RMSP. The park featured a bevy of events, including one of the largest Rhododendron Festivals, while seeing Miller Farmstead be recognized as a historical piece of property by the state.

“It’s definitely been the busiest since I’ve been here, and I’ve been here for six year,” she said. “There was so much support for all the different events we had. There were so many different events. It was a great year and we’re excited to see what the new year holds.”

Guy added that inclement weather is in the forecast for Sunday. The hike will be cancelled if any severe weather comes into the region. Contact RMSP at 423-772-0190 for more information.