Free State Park Entrances on Black Friday

In 2015, REI announced their Black Friday #optoutside campaign to encourage people to reconnect with the outdoors rather than promote a consumer-heavy shopping day. As a small company that derives much of our inspiration from the textures and colors of the surrounding Pacific Northwest, this message resonated with us deeply — so we followed suit. 

On November 1st, we officially kicked off our Black Friday sale by offering a 22% sitewide discount (plus many customers are receiving an REI gift card with their purchase)!* By offering our Black Friday discount all month long, our main goal is to help you #freeupyourfriday. With Black Friday now on our heels, we hope you’ll spend time where it counts most — with family, friends, or exploring outdoors — not standing in Black Friday lines. 

To help you prepare for your next adventure, we’ve highlighted a few state parks that also celebrate Black Friday by waiving admission fees to their parks! Check them out below:

 

State Parks with Free Admission on Black Friday ONLY:

	ALABAMA Seven state parks in Alabama are hosting #OptOutside hikes. Be sure to locate your closest park and join the adventure. Find the details here.
	ARKANSAS Head to the Visitor Center at Mississippi River State Park to gain free admission! This year, they're promoting #GreenFriday.  Find the details here.
	COLORADO Colorado says, "Celebrate Fresh Air Friday on Black Friday." Hit the outdoors for some family-fun adventures. Find the details here.
	MICHIGAN The Outdoor Adventure Center in Michigan is leading a free hike down the renowned Detroit River and the Dequindre Cut. Groups leave at 11AM and 1PM. Find the details here.
	MINNESOTA On Black Friday, enjoy free admission to ALL 75 state parks and recreations centers.  Find the details here.
	OREGON Oregon is waiving day-use parking fees in the 24 open state parks that charge for parking. Find the details here.
	SOUTH CAROLINA Not only is South Carolina state park admission waived on Friday, but you can also tour three historic homes for free. Find the details here.
	TENNESSEE Join in on Tennessee's "Day After Thanksgiving Hikes." Many are offered free of change, but a few have nominal admission fees, so be sure to check your local hike. Find details here.
	WASHINGTON In honor of Native American Heritage Day, all state parks in Washington are free on November 25th. Find the details here.

 

Didn't see your state on the list? Don't worry, you may still be in luck. Here are 16 state parks that always offer free admission. 

 

State Parks with Free Admission YEAR-ROUND:

	Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska This vast park protects 8.4 million acres of the diverse arctic ecosystems of Alaska's central Brooks Range. Access is limited to air or boat taxi, so plan accordingly.  Find the details here.
	Lake Clark National Park, Alaska Lake Clark spans 4 million acres on the Alaska Peninsula in southwest Alaska, making it the nation's most remote park. Plan a visit here to enjoy the volcanic and glaciated landscape. Find the details here.
	Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska Located just outside of Seward (126 miles south of Anchorage), this national park can be found at the edge of the North Pacific Ocean, where storm patterns sculpt the terrain with giant receding ice rivers. Find the details here.
	Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska Home to half a million caribou, plan a visit to this national park and catch them migrating across the sculpted dunes. Find the details here.
	Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska Enjoy the rugged landscape of this Alaskan treasure. Clocking in at 13.2 million acres, this is America’s largest national park, ripe with adventure. Find the details here.
	Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas Here, history and culture collide. Dive into the past and enjoy the historic bathhouses, thermal springs, jaw-dropping mountain skylines, and more.  Find the details here.
	Channel Islands National Park, California Composed of five islands, this national park is home to animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on earth. Keep in mind, the islands are only accessible by boat, so be sure to plan in advance.  Find the details here.
	Redwood National Park, California With over 40 miles of coastline, visit the Redwood Forest to explore the woodlands, prairies, rivers, and more. Find the details here.
	Biscayne National Park, Florida This water wonderland is a sight to behold. Explore prehistoric shipwrecks, rare coral reefs, and more. Whether you’re in the water, or on top of it, this is one national park you don’t want to miss. Find the details here.
	Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota Take your pick between land, ice, or water. Comprised of 218,055 acres, this national park offers year-round adventure.  Find the details here.
	Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most well-known and most-visited national parks in the U.S. Lodged between North Carolina and Tennessee, the forest ridge is home to countless plant and animal diversity. Find the details here.
	Great Basin National Park, Nevada Sage-covered foothills, ancient bristlecone pines, and subterranean passages are just a few of the great adventures this national park has to offer. Plan your wilderness escape today. Find the details here.
	Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio This great national park gives refuge to native plants and wildlife. Explore the river, forest, rolling hills, and open farmland. Find the details here.
	Congaree National Park, South Carolina This incredible park offers a vast array of biodiversity, including the largest, intact range of bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States.  Find the details here.
	North Cascades National Park, Washington This gem is located less than three hours from Seattle. Come witness the cascades for yourself: glacier-topped mountains, forested valleys, and breathtaking views.  Find the details here.
	New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia Despite its name, the New River is one of the oldest rivers in the continent. With over 70,000 acres of land to explore, this national park is full of hidden treasures. Find the details here.

 

If your state still didn't appear, it may participate in one of the five free national state park entrance days. Over 120 national parks waive their admission fees on these five days:

• January 17: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 16: First day of National Park Week
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 24: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

For the full list of participating states and parks, click here to learn more.

Whether or not you're able to visit a state or national park this Black Friday, we hope you find time to head outdoors, recharge, and spend some time with loved ones. From all us here at Anueva, adventure on! 

 

*Black November Terms and Conditions.