Last Updated on December 19, 2019 by Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Tired of spending Black Friday in shopping malls? 
“Opt Outside” on Black Friday and get free admission to any DNR property that charges a gate fee on that day. You can also get 20% off a meal at an Indiana State Park inn or lodge restaurant on Black Friday – just tell the host or hostess that you are “opting outside.”
You also can be entered in drawings for DNR annual passes, lake permits, Smokey Bear materials, gift cards and DNR staff-led outdoor experiences, among other items, just by choosing to #optoutside at a DNR property.
There are three main ways to participate:
– Share your photos. Post photos of your outdoor Black Friday on DNR social media using the hashtag #OptOutsideIN2019. Posts that do not use that hashtag are not eligible for the drawings. DNR properties you can visit to participate include state parks, reservoirs, state forests, state fish & wildlife areas, nature preserves and off-road riding SRAs.
DNR social media sites for posting include division and/or property pages as well as the links listed below.
Indiana State Parks Facebook page: facebook.com/INdnrstateparksandreservoirs
Indiana Fish & Wildlife Facebook page: facebook.com/INfishandwildlife
Indiana State Forest Facebook page: facebook.com/INdnrforestry
Indiana Outdoor Recreation Facebook page: facebook.com/INdnroutdoorrec
DNR Facebook page: facebook.com/INdnr
DNR Instagram feed: instagram.com/indianadnr
– Stay overnight. Camp at a state park, reservoir or state forest recreation area, or stay at an Indiana State Park Inn on Black Friday. The hashtag #optoutsideINN or #optoutsideCAMP must be used with your post to be eligible for the drawings. Find out more about winter camping facilities at stateparks.IN.gov/9655.htm. Make camping reservations at camp.IN.gov or inn reservations at IndianaInns.com.
– Opt Outside Scavenger Hunt. Visit any DNR property and complete the #optoutside scavenger hunt on Black Friday then return it to SPContests@dnr.IN.gov to be entered in a separate drawing for prizes and experiences.
The scavenger hunt details and an overview of the prizes for drawings and participation are listed at on.IN.gov/optoutside.
Everyone who posts a photo as described, camps or stays at an Indiana state park inn, or participates in the scavenger hunt will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a gift pack from the outdoor gear retailer REI in Castleton. REI is a supporter of the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation and Indiana State Parks.
REI started the #optoutside initiative in 2015, announcing it would close its stores on Black Friday. For more information, visit rei.com/opt-outside. To read an REI blog about the benefits of being outdoors, visit rei.com/blog/news/a-dose-of-the-outdoors.