5th Annual New Year's Eve Hike & Campfire, Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington

Close out 2025 by joining us for a really cool hike and campfire at Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington! We will hike around the prairie trail, through the woods and to the Tall Pine Trail. Headlamps (or flashlights) are a must for this hike. it will be a moderately paced hike followed by a campfire and a hot dog roast. A fire-roasted hot dog is the best hot dog there is!

And like our Full Moon hikes, Shawn will provide music and songs around the campfire! New Year's resolutions will be available for those who haven't made any yet!

We will meet at 5:00 pm outside of Richardson Nature Center for a 5 mile hike. Walk down the paved path from the parking lot to Nature Center. The hike may vary in length, depending on the weather and the will of our hikers! The pace will be a moderate pace for a night time hike - fast enough to keep us warm but not so fast we lose any hikers in the woods!

Don't be late: we start hiking at 5:10 pm.

Our route will take us on snow-packed trails, with a section of paved trails if they are cleared. With lots of snow, we should be able to turn off our headlamps and hike au natural.

We will hike in light snow but not a blizzard. If it looks like bad weather, we'll cancel the hike and campfire by 3:00 pm.

Your hosts will provide hot dogs and buns, and will secure the permit for the fire ring ($27 fee). Small donations ($2-$3) to help cover costs are not necessary but will be gratefully accepted.

Please bring your own beverage (beer, wine and hard ciders are permitted in the park) and, if you wish, something to share - a side dish, dessert, or chips (of course). Cookies and brownies are always favorites!

For those who do not wish to hike, please come to get the fire started and keep the fire going. If you have sticks for roasting hot dogs, bring them!

If your plans have changed and you are unable to attend, please update your RSVP in a timely manner so we are not waiting for you at the start and to allow those on the waitlist to attend.

Questions? Send the hosts a message or post your questions in the comments section after you RSVP.

Hike at your own risk: By signing up for this event, you agree to assume personal responsibility for all risks associated with this event, and release the organizers, event hosts, and other members of the venue, from any liability.

Hope to see you on this New Year's Eve Hike! Bring your appetite and good stories to share around the campfire!