WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — A newly avid hiker on Tuesday said he'd like to take part in a guided New Year's Day hike when the pandemic is over.

Officials have canceled this year's guided First Day Hikes in all North Carolina state parks. First Day Hikes are sponsored by the National Association of State Park Directors and are meant to help people kick off the new year outdoors. Nearly 85,000 people nationwide took part in First Day Hikes events on New Year's Day 2020, with the average person covering two miles that day.

Due the COVID-19 pandemic, officials with the Division of Parks and Recreation are instead asking people to set out on their own hikes with members of their immediate household.

Will Brown, who just moved to North Carolina from New Jersey, has been exploring the trails at William B. Umstead State Park in Wake County. He said hiking opportunities are scarcer in his home state, so he appreciates the variety North Carolina offers.

“We don't really have, like, hills or anything in New Jersey. It's pretty flat there,” he says. “Coming down here really gave me a good chance to see some more of the mountainous hiking trails.”

Brown is currently a nursing student. He also works at a fast food restaurant but is currently off work due to the pandemic. He says getting outside is a great stress reliever.

“We were locked in for so long, so it's nice to get out and appreciate the world that we live in,” he says.

Brown says he wasn't aware of the guided First Day Hikes but says he'd like to take part in one when they start up again. In the meantime, he says he recommends anyone going for a hike to bring water, snacks, and an extra sweater.

According to the Division of Parks and Recreation, you should bring a face mask if you go hiking on New Year's Day in case you encounter any crowds. You should also have a backup plan in case the parks become too crowded.