TRAVEL

How to get a free pass to Arizona state parks for Black Friday

Paige Schwahn
The Republic | azcentral.com
Mexican poppies at Picacho Peak State Park about 60 miles southeast of Phoenix.

Arizona State Parks is jumping into the growing #OptOutside Black Friday movement, announcing Friday that it will offer free admission at all state park locations the day after Thanksgiving.

The parks are partnering with REI, the outdoor retailer who shook up the idea of Black Friday in October by saying it would close all 143 stores nationwide on Thanksgiving and the day after.

Visit any of the four Arizona REI stores Saturday Nov. 21 through Wednesday Nov. 25 to receive a free day pass for entry into one of Arizona's more than 25 state parks. State parks will not have free passes on site.

And why not enjoy the great outdoors? Arizona is typically blessed with great weather Thanksgiving weekend. In fact, Thanksgiving 2014 tied for the warmest on record, with a high of 87 degrees.

As part of the #OptOutside promotion, Arizona State Parks is offering a second, bonus deal: Share your decision to skip the biggest shopping day of the year by posting pictures of your time outdoors using hashtag #optoutside on Arizona State Parks' Facebook page. The 10 photos that receive the most "likes" will win a free Arizona State Parks annual pass to enjoy the state's beauty.

Details: For more information on state parks call (602) 542-4174, or visit AZStateParks.comfacebook.com/AZStateParks/.

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