Minnesota DNR Offering Awesome Black Friday State Park Deal

Black Friday is a day of deals, with retailers offering discounts of all sorts to kick off the holiday shopping season. How about a Black Friday freebie, though?

While you'll find lots of deals on Black Friday, you generally don't see many deals so good that it's free.

The Minnesota DNR is once again offering its version of a Black Friday deal of sorts - free admission into Minnesota's state parks all day! Some parks are also planning extra fun for this free day.

This is one of a few times of year that the Minnesota DNR offers free entry to state parks, with vehicle fees into all 73 of Minnesota's state parks and recreation areas being waived on November 28, 2025.

READ MORE: Preliminary 2025 Minnesota Deer Hunting Statistics Released By Minnesota DNR

The Minnesota DNR says this is a great opportunity to revisit a favorite park or explore a new one for the best price ever - free!

Minnesota DNR Parks and Trails Division Director Ann Pierce says, "After Thanksgiving celebrations, we encourage friends and family to get outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature". Pierce highlighted that this time spent in nature can be a great family activity with positive impacts on both mental and physical well-being.

As I mentioned, a handful of Minnesota's state parks are offering some additional free fun on November 28.

One example is a free scavenger hunt being hosted by Gooseberry Falls State Park north of Two Harbors. Another example is a fun and educational "Woodpecker Walk & Talk" at Wild River State Park just east of North Branch.

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You can see what parks have planned on the Minnesota State Parks & Trails events calendar.

It is expected to get pretty chilly for Black Friday, but if you bundle up a little more and stay active moving around during your visit, it will still be a fun time!