National Take a Hike Day 2025: All You Need to Know
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National Take a Hike Day celebrates the great outdoors, encouraging people to explore nature, enjoy the benefits of hiking, and promote environmental stewardship. This day emphasizes the importance of staying active, connecting with nature, and preserving our natural landscapes for future generations. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s National Take a Hike Day?
👉 Official Name: National Take a Hike Day
💚 Cause: Promoting outdoor activities and environmental conservation
📅 Next Date: November 17, 2025
🌐 Official Website: https://americanhiking.org/national-take-hike-day/
🐦 Hashtag: #NationalTakeAHikeDay #OptOutside
Keep on reading to find out all the important information about National Take a Hike Day at a glance, including its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.
The Most Important Information About National Take a Hike Day at a Glance
1️⃣ The big picture: National Take a Hike Day encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to step outside and explore the natural world. Whether it’s a casual walk through a local park or a challenging trek up a mountain, hiking offers numerous physical and mental health benefits. Moreover, the day serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving natural trails and parks for future generations.
2️⃣ Why it is important: Hiking is more than just a physical activity; it’s a way to connect with nature, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. In an increasingly digital and sedentary world, National Take a Hike Day promotes the value of unplugging and immersing oneself in the outdoors. Additionally, it highlights the need to protect and maintain hiking trails, which are vital to environmental conservation efforts.
3️⃣ How you can get involved: You can celebrate National Take a Hike Day by hitting the trails, organizing a group hike, or supporting conservation efforts:
- Go on a Hike: Choose a trail near you, whether it’s a short walk or a longer trek, and enjoy the beauty of nature.
- Join a Local Event: Participate in organized hikes or outdoor events in your community to connect with fellow nature enthusiasts.
- Support Trail Conservation: Donate to or volunteer with organizations dedicated to maintaining and protecting hiking trails and natural areas.
Below are our favorite charities that are especially relevant for National Take a Hike Day:
- Impactful Ninja: Best Charities for Protecting Nature
- Impactful Ninja: Best Charities for National Parks
- Impactful Ninja: Best Charities that Fight to Protect the Environment
A Brief History of National Take a Hike Day
When was this event established: Although the exact origin of National Take a Hike Day is disputed, it is thought to have been established in the early 2000s by outdoor enthusiasts and environmental advocates, alongside the American Hiking Society to encourage people to get outside and explore the great outdoors.
How has it developed since then: Over the years, National Take a Hike Day has grown in popularity, with more people taking to the trails each November. The day has also become a platform for environmental advocacy, with organizations using it to raise awareness about the importance of preserving natural landscapes and maintaining hiking trails for public use.
3 Interesting Facts About National Take a Hike Day
- Trail Diversity: The United States is home to over 88,000 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry routes, offering something for every level of fitness.
- Similar Causes, Different Days: National Take a Hike Day celebrates hiking and encourages people to explore nature. The American Hiking Society also launched National Trails Day in 1993. This day focuses on safe trail use and promoting volunteer efforts to maintain and protect America’s extensive trail systems.
- Leave No Trace: National Take a Hike Day also promotes the “Leave No Trace” principles, encouraging hikers to minimize their impact on the environment by staying on marked trails and packing out trash.
Upcoming Dates of National Take a Hike Day
National Take a Hike Day is observed every year on November 17.
| Year | Date | Day(s) |
| 2024 | November 17 | Sunday |
| 2025 | November 17 | Monday |
| 2026 | November 17 | Tuesday |
Never Miss an Awareness Event Again
Sources
- National Park Service: Benefits of Hiking
- American Hiking Society: National Take a Hike Day
- USGS: Assessing trail conditions in protected areas
- National Park Service: Benefits of Hiking
- ResearchGate: A Path to Nature Conservation
- American Hiking Society: Hikes Near You
- American Hiking Society: Hiking Alliance
- Impactful Ninja: Best Charities for Protecting Nature
- Impactful Ninja: Best Charities for National Parks
- Impactful Ninja: Best Charities that Fight to Protect the Environment
- Robert Smith: History of National Take a Hike Day
- Oakland Country Blog: Go Take A Hike!
- Statistica: Number of hiking participants in the US from 2010-2023
- American Hiking Society: Advocacy
- American Hiking Society: National Trails System
- American Hiking Society: National Trails Day
- American Hiking Society: Leave No Trace
- Boy Scouts of America: Dispose of Waste Properly (Pack It In, Pack It Out)
