If fighting crowds at a Black Friday sale isn't your style, heading to a state park may be an ideal alternative.
Following in the footsteps of outdoor retailer REI, which is closing its stores on Thanksgiving and Black Friday and encouraging employees and customers to instead #OptOutside, some states are waiving state park admission fees for the holiday. Others are offering visitors free guided hikes or prizes.
The details:
Arizona
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Arizonans can head to their nearest REI store to pick up a free pass for any of the state's parks, including Slide Rock and Tonto Natural Bridge. If you want a pass, act quickly -- every REI will be closed Thanksgiving and on Friday.
California
The Save the Redwoods League teamed up with California State Parks to offer a limited number of free passes to state parks on Friday. Most of those passes have already been snapped up, but check the list here to see what's still available.
Colorado
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Colorado is declaring "Fresh Air Friday," offering free admission to all 42 state parks.
"We hope this offer inspires families in particular to make an outdoor adventure at a Colorado State Park not only a Thanksgiving tradition for their kids but a regular activity all year long," said Great Outdoors Colorado's executive director, Lise Aangeenbrug.
"We hope this offer inspires families in particular to make an outdoor adventure at a Colorado State Park not only a Thanksgiving tradition for their kids but a regular activity all year long," said Great Outdoors Colorado's executive director, Lise Aangeenbrug.
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Kansas
Everyone who visits a Kansas state park on Friday and posts a photo of their visit with the hashtag #myksstatepark will be entered in a drawing to win a stay in a state park cabin.
Minnesota
Minnesota is waiving admission at 75 state parks and recreation areas. Visitors are encouraged to post photos with the hashtags #FreeParkFriday and #OnlyInMN.
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Missouri
Missourians can camp for free in any state park on Friday. Additionally, some parks will have free programming, like group hikes and bike rides.
North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer free, guided hikes and information sessions to visitors on Friday.
The park, which is America's most visited, has more than 800 miles of trails.
The park, which is America's most visited, has more than 800 miles of trails.
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Tennessee
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Tennessee is encouraging Black Friday hikers to post photos to social media with the hashtag #TNgobblewobble to be entered to win a stay in a state park cabin or inn.
All 56 state parks also are offering free guided hikes on Friday.
All 56 state parks also are offering free guided hikes on Friday.
Washington
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Washington's famed national parks, Mount Ranier and Olympic, will be free to enter on Friday, sponsored by Washington's National Park Fund.
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