Many of Americans have shopping on their mind when it comes to Black Friday, but some of us are simply itching to get outdoors during this holiday season. Avoid the crowds that you’ll find at the mall and instead head to a state park where you can stretch your legs after eating all of that amazing Thanksgiving food! A few years back, REI started their own #OptOutside campaign that’s encouraging people to get outside on Black Friday instead of staying indoors all day. Lucky for us, states all around America have joined in on the #OptOutside campaign by allowing free entrances to their state parks on Friday.
Wondering where you’ll be able to visit without having to reach for your wallet? Check out the states below that won’t be charging any fees to their state parks on Black Friday.
- Arizona
CEBImagery/Flickr Number of State Parks: 31 To view the official state parks website for Arizona, click here.
- Colorado
Cody Wellons/Flickr Number of State Parks: 42 To view the official state parks website for Colorado, click here.
- Indiana
Tom Gill/Flickr Number of State Parks: 25 To view the official state parks website for Indiana, click here.
- Kansas
Vincent Parsons/Flickr Number of State Parks: 26 To view the official state parks website for Kansas, click here.
- Michigan
Mr. Nixter/Flickr Number of State Parks: 101 To view the official state parks website for Michigan, click here.
- Minnesota
Joe Ennesser/Flickr Number of State Parks: 67 To view the official state parks website for Minnesota, click here.
- New Mexico
John Fowler/Flickr Number of State Parks: 35 To view the official state parks website for New Mexico, click here.
- New York
Brook Ward/Flickr Number of State Parks: 180 To view the official state parks website for New York, click here.
- Washington
LDELD/Flickr Number of State Parks: 125 To view the official state parks website for Washington, click here.
Bonus!
Stephen Cysewski/Flickr Sad you didn’t see your state on this list? Well here’s some more things to keep in mind! Both Alaska and Oregon will be offering free parking at their state parks on Black Friday. Other states around the country that aren’t offering free entry to their parks are doing things like hosting free events and activities to get you enjoying the outdoors after Thanksgiving.
Do you plan on joining in on the #OptOutside challenge this year? Tell us which state parks you’re most excited to visit!
CEBImagery/Flickr
Number of State Parks: 31 To view the official state parks website for Arizona, click here.
Cody Wellons/Flickr
Number of State Parks: 42 To view the official state parks website for Colorado, click here.
Tom Gill/Flickr
Number of State Parks: 25 To view the official state parks website for Indiana, click here.
Vincent Parsons/Flickr
Number of State Parks: 26 To view the official state parks website for Kansas, click here.
Mr. Nixter/Flickr
Number of State Parks: 101 To view the official state parks website for Michigan, click here.
Joe Ennesser/Flickr
Number of State Parks: 67 To view the official state parks website for Minnesota, click here.
John Fowler/Flickr
Number of State Parks: 35 To view the official state parks website for New Mexico, click here.
Brook Ward/Flickr
Number of State Parks: 180 To view the official state parks website for New York, click here.
LDELD/Flickr
Number of State Parks: 125 To view the official state parks website for Washington, click here.
Stephen Cysewski/Flickr
Sad you didn’t see your state on this list? Well here’s some more things to keep in mind! Both Alaska and Oregon will be offering free parking at their state parks on Black Friday. Other states around the country that aren’t offering free entry to their parks are doing things like hosting free events and activities to get you enjoying the outdoors after Thanksgiving.
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