From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - November 21, 2019

The tradition continues! Admission to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas (regularly $7 for one-day vehicle permit) will be free on the day after Thanksgiving again this year.

The goal is to encourage families to extend their holiday by spending time together with a walk outdoors. Research shows that walking offers multiple benefits, from increased creativity and better brain function to more flexibility and stamina. So you won't just burn calories, you'll also improve your well-being.

While you're out there, snap a photo of your Free Park Friday adventure, and share it with us on social media using #FreeParkFriday and #OnlyinMN.

A few parks will offer special programs on Free Park Friday, and you can visit the DNRk events calendar for more information.  

Among the local events are a demonstration of Falconry at Tettegouche State Park from 11am to 1pm and a Falls Tour where you can enjoy great views and discover falls history as you explore the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls at Gooseberry Falls State Park from 10-11am.

If the programs don't fit your schedule, you can explore on your own. There's a Minnesota state park or recreation area within about 30 miles of anyone in Minnesota. Use the ParkFinder and HikeFinder tools to help you with your trip-planning.

Important reminders

Be sure to check which parks will have special hunts taking place, so you can plan accordingly.

Many state park offices will be closed or minimally staffed over the holiday weekend, because staff will be taking time off to celebrate with their own families, but visitors can stop at the orientation stations near the park entrance for trail maps and tips on what to see and do at the park.