Categories: Black Friday

Free Admission to State Parks on Black Friday #OptOutside

After you gobble up all the turkey, mashed potatoes and pie that you can possibly stomach, you may be feeling inspired to get outside and get some physical activity in. To help you with that, some states are offering free admission to their state parks tomorrow! This is all part of the #OptOutside movement started by REI a few years ago. Whether you like a leisurely walk or an intense hike, you’re bound to find a park that suits you. Some state parks are even running fun photo contests with awesome prizes. Check the list below to see if your state is participating in Black Friday this year!

States Offering Free Admission to State Parks for #OptOutside

Alaska

Vehicle parking fees are waived for the day at all parks managed by Alaska State Parks on Friday, November 23. Park visitors are encouraged to get outside and share their outdoor adventures on social media, and throughout the holiday season, by hashtagging: #OptOutside, #alaskastateparks and #akstateparks.

Arizona

Pick up your free day pass for Friday, November 23, at the Arizona State Parks & Trails Outdoor Recreation Information Center at I-17 and Pinnacle Peak Road Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information here.

Arkansas

Arkansas State Parks is offering free admission to 12 of their parks on Friday, November 23, which they’re calling Green Friday. Check out their events page to see which parks are on the list!

Colorado

Colorado Parks & Wildlife is celebrating Fresh Air Friday by offering free admission to all of their state parks. Walk, hike or even ski for free! Snap and share your outdoor adventures with us using the hashtag #FreshAirFriday on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Delaware

Delaware State Parks invites you to skip the shopping on Black Friday, and #OptOutside instead! On Friday, November 23, all Delaware State Parks will be free of charge. Find your park here.

Florida

Florida State Parks isn’t offering free admission exactly, but they do have a few Black Friday specials that you can check out on their #OptOutside page.

Indiana

Indiana is doing #OptOutside big this year! Hoosiers can enjoy the outdoors with discounts and opportunities to win 2019 state park passes and other prizes. All state parks, reservoirs and state forest recreation areas will be free admission, and you can get 20% off a meal at an Indiana State Park Inn by downloading a coupon here! You can also engage in social media and participate in a scavenger hunt to be entered in drawings for prizes. More information on the prizes you can win here!

Kansas

Visit any Kansas State Park for free on Friday. Don’t forget to post your selfies with the hashtags #optoutside and #myksstatepark for a chance to win a free cabin stay!

Missouri

Catch a free historic site tour at these participating Missouri State Parks. Plus, anyone camping at a participating site on Black Friday night will receive a camping coupon for a free night of camping for the same site type, valid through November 22, 2019!

Oregon

Oregon State Parks is waiving day-use parking fees in 25 Oregon State Parks the day after Thanksgiving. And all the other parks already offer free parking year-round! Find your park here.

South Carolina

Get 50% off select campsites and parks on Black Friday in South Carolina by mentioning or entering promo code BF2018SC on a new reservation!

Virginia

When you #optoutside in Virginia Nov. 22-25, take pictures to enter in the annual Virginia State Park photo contest with a grand prize of a $500 Virginia State Parks gift certificate. You can submit up to five photos but they must be taken in one of the 38 Virginia State Parks.