First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest returns for 2025! Submission Before Noon on Thursday, January 2nd

Image: Courtesy of Fairfax County Government – First Hike

The amazingly popular First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest returns for 2025! Grab your coats and cameras and join the fun on New Year’s Day along more than 334 miles of Park Authority trails.

Participation is simple:

Visit any FCPA trail on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Take a photo to commemorate the experience and submit it online before Noon on Thursday, January 2. The photo submission link will be posted here by 7 a.m. on January 1, 2025.

Win prizes in one of the following seven categories; prizes are sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation:

• People’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card or 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175)
• Judges’ Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card or 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

PHOTO CONTEST RULES

• First Hike Fairfax is open to amateur and professional photographers.
• Photos must be taken on a Park Authority trail on Wednesday, January 1, 2025
• Submissions must be made online. A link will be provided above by 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
• Only one photo entry per person will be accepted (multiple family members may submit photos individually).
• Photos must be in JPG format (no bigger than 5MB is preferred)
• Contest submissions must clearly indicate the date and what Park Authority trail the photo was taken.
• See full contest rules.

Need inspiration? See all photo submissions for First Hike 2024!