LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Looking for an alternative to the shopping madness on Black Friday? Spend some time in the great outdoors.
Indiana State Parks are giving people another way to save money on Black Friday by offering free admission.
The offer applies to state parks, state reservoirs and state forest recreation areas on the day after Thanksgiving, usually known as a big shopping day. State parks officials say it’s a way to get people outside on a day that is traditionally associated with chasing deals and frustrating shopping experiences.
Indiana State Parks is inviting visitors to take a selfie at a recognizable location at the property they visit and post it on the division’s Facebook page, tagged with #OptOutside or #OptOutsideIN. Everyone who posts a photo will be entered in a drawing for a hiking package valued at $200.
In Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources says it will waive the Recreation Passport fee that’s usually assessed for entry to Michigan’s 103 state parks and recreation areas, 138 state forest rustic campgrounds and parking areas for hundreds of miles of trails and fee-based boat launches.
It’s in cooperation with the #OptOutside movement, started by the recreation retailer REI in 2015 to steer people outdoors on the day after Thanksgiving. Hundreds of agencies nationwide are supporting the effort.
Among the activities that Michigan’s state park system offers are fishing, biking, hunting and wildlife watching.
Although state park entry fees are waived Nov. 25, camping and other permit and license fees still apply.
