2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. Across the country, state park departments are celebrating by getting people outside. A growing number of states have launched hiking challenges tied to America’s 250th anniversary, and the variety is genuinely impressive.
For Stacey Slamka, whose hiking goals already span multiple states this year, several of these challenges land squarely on her radar — and a few of them might land on yours too.
Ohio
Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources launched the America 250 ODNR Challenge, running through the rest of 2026, with two distance options: a 25-mile family-friendly version and a more ambitious 250-mile adventure. Both encourage participants to explore designated trails across Ohio’s state parks, forests, nature preserves, and wildlife areas. The tiered structure makes it genuinely accessible — whether you’re a casual weekend walker or someone logging serious mileage. A solid choice for hikers at any level.
North Dakota
North Dakota keeps things interesting with a four-season structure. The 2026 Hiking Challenge on the free OuterSpatial app breaks the year into quarterly challenges: log wildlife track photos in winter, capture emerging greenery in spring, hike at sunrise or sunset in summer, and photograph something legendary in fall. Participants who complete a seasonal challenge are entered into prize drawings for free camping nights and annual vehicle permits.
North Dakota is already on Stacey Slamka’s hiking list, making this challenge a natural fit to layer into existing plans. The app covers over 2,200 miles of mapped trails across the state, so there’s no shortage of terrain to explore.
Maryland
Maryland’s “Miles for Maryland” challenge asks participants to log 250 miles across any of the state’s 80 state parks throughout the year, either individually or as a team. It’s a $25 registration that functions as a donation to the Maryland Parks Service, with prize drawings for those who complete the distance.
Nebraska
Nebraska takes a similarly flexible approach. The Outdoor Nebraska 250-Mile Challenge runs January through December and accepts any combination of outdoor activities — walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and more — toward the 250-mile goal. It’s free to enter, with a commemorative sticker and prize drawing for finishers.
Why These Challenges Are Worth Your Attention
Hiking challenges like these do something useful that a trailhead sign never quite manages — they give you a reason to explore parks and trails you’d otherwise drive right past. Connecticut’s challenge sends hikers to 20 historic locations tied to the Revolutionary War era. North Dakota’s seasonal prompts push you to notice the landscape differently depending on time of year. Ohio’s 250-mile option makes for an appealing yearlong goal.
For anyone building out a 2026 hiking calendar, these challenges are worth bookmarking alongside the bigger national park trips. State parks are often quieter, easier to access, and offer an opportunity to bring more people onto the trails. That’s worth celebrating.
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