Take a hike and a photo on New Year’s Day

*Rena Schild’s photo taken at Huntley Meadows Park was the 2025 People’s Choice winner.*

New Year’s Day in Fairfax County means it’s time for the Park Authority’s annual First Hike Photo Contest.

To participate, visit any FCPA trail on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, take a photo, and submit it online before Friday, Jan. 2.

The photo link will be posted here by 7 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Prizes, sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation, include the following:

People’s Choice: $100 Park Authority gift card or a 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175).
Judges’ Choice: $100 Park Authority gift card or a 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175).
Director’s Choice: $100 Park Authority gift card.
Best in Show (Scenery/Landscapes): $75 Park Authority gift card.
Best in Show (People): $75 Park Authority gift card.
Best in Show (Wildlife): $75 Park Authority gift card.
Best in Show (Pets): $75 Park Authority gift card.

Photos must be in JPG format (no bigger than 5MB is preferred). Contest submissions must clearly indicate the date and which Park Authority trail the photo was taken on.

Only one photo entry per person will be accepted. Multiple family members may submit photos individually. Click here for more contest rules.