The trail beckons along the Rogue River at TouVelle State Recreation Site on Tuesday. Oregon State Parks is offering ranger-led "First Day Hikes" Jan. 1 at its parks, including TouVelle and Valley of the Rogue state parks in Jackson County.

Leave the excesses of the past behind and start things off right in the new year with a First Day Hike at Valley of the Rogue State Park or TouVelle State Recreation Site in Jackson County.

Easy, hour-long, ranger-led hikes are scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. Jan. 1 at both parks. Participants can learn about wildlife, the environment and more while getting out with others.

Bundle up and slip on a pair of good walking shoes. Parking is free.

— At Valley of the Rogue, meet in the amphitheater parking lot for a 2-mile hike. The park is located off of Exit 45B, between Gold Hill and Rogue River. The Rogue River Greenway, which stretches about 8 miles from the city of Rogue River to Gold Hill, passes through the park.

— At TouVelle, meet in the day-use area by Area F at the far end of the park for a 1-mile hike. TouVelle is at 5342 Table Rock Road. The park is known as a good place for bird watching. Learn about its history, the river and the nearby Table Rocks.

Gold Hill library offers noontime walks on Wednesdays

Julie Doty, branch manager of the Gold Hill library, isn’t waiting for the new year to start hiking. She and her colleagues earlier this month began offering weekly walks at noon that leave from the library, 202 Dardanelles St., and take the walking path to Gold Hill Sports Park.

“Who doesn’t want to go for a walk in Gold Hill?” Doty said when asked why a library would organize a walking club. A library staff members accompanies the walkers.

Doty said the library tries to offer a variety of activities and events for the community. This one mixes exercise with socialization.

“We are always looking for different activities we can do,” she said.

The walks take place rain or shine. “The first walk it poured rain,” Doty said. Two people went.

Destinations need not be limited to the park. Whatever the group wants to do. The group will go out 30 minutes and then return.

For more information, call the library at 541-855-1994. More information is available at jcls.org/events.

Open Lands Day is Jan. 6 at Rogue River Preserve

The Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is inviting the public to its Rogue River Preserve near Eagle Point from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 6 for its Open Lands Day event. Visitors may take a self-guided hike or merely stroll casually.

Visitors may borrow field guides, binoculars and other gear. Docents will be along the trails.

Waterproof shoes and warm layers are highly recommended. Registration is required.

The preserve, which normally isn’t open to the public, features 2 miles of riverfront, a large floodplain forest, oak woodlands and meadows. It typically is open to the public only during special events, work parties and youth education programs.

Activities on Jan. 6 include an easy walk from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Hike leader Kristi Mergenthaler will talk about how to identify plants during the winter using clues like buds, twigs, fruits and stalks. Bring a hand lens or borrow one from a staff member.

Another activity is set for 1-2 p.m. and titled, “Observational Drawing for Nature Journaling.” It’s led by Tara Laidlaw. Participants can learn how to translate what they see in nature onto a page with a series of simple creative steps. A short walk will take place as part of the activity. Bring a camp chair, notebook and pencil or borrow materials from a staff member. No drawing experience is required.

For more information and to register, go to https://bit.ly/3GXGcbv. Reach the Land Conservancy at 541.482.3069. The preserve is located at 895-801 Rogue River Drive near Eagle Point area.

Audubon Society offers bird walks at wildlife area

The Rogue Valley Audubon Society is continuing to offer First Wednesday Bird Walks, with the next one set for Jan. 3. The walks begin at 8:30 a.m. and end before noon at the Kenneth Denman Wildlife Area, 1495 E. Gregory Road, near White City.

Gates will be open 8 to 8:20 a.m. Meet at the entrance. Buy parking permits ahead of time at Bi-Mart, Sportsman’s Warehouse or offices of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Permits also are available online, at myodfw.com.

The walks are led by Jim Hostick. For more information, go to roguevalleyaudubon.org or send an email to www.roguevalleyaudubon.org. Contact ODFW at 541-826-8774.

Medford winter-spring activity guide due out

The city of Medford’s Winter/Spring activity guide from its parks and recreation department should be available this week. Registration for activities begins Jan. 2.

The guide will be available online at playmedford.com as of Dec. 28 and should be arriving in mailboxes Dec. 28-30.

State parks now offer same-day reservations

As of Jan. 1, visitors to Oregon state parks can book same-day campsite reservation statewide. Previously, most sites required bookings to be made at least 24 hours in advance when reserving online.

Same-day online reservations started out at two coastal parks and expanded last summer to all 17 coastal parks with campgrounds. It will now serve 40 park campgrounds across the state.

“Same-day reservations at the coast gave those traveling the peace of mind that there was a place ready for them when they arrived,” said Dennis Comfort, coastal region director for the parks department.

Fees are waived for same-day reservations. For more information, call 800-452-5687 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.