Washington County Parks is offering free entry the day after Thanksgiving. As shoppers battle for doorbuster deals, the outdoorsy set can enjoy a more serene Black Friday experience among the maples and pines. Known as the inception of holiday shopping hysteria, the day traditionally sees stores jammed with frenzied consumers, but the Parks Department is nudging folks to swap carts for trails, according to an announcement on their website.
This reprieve from the retail rush is a chance to sidestep the consumerism trap and enjoy the natural wonders of going #OptOutside. On offer is a host of self-guided experiences, like the Breathe and Be Hike at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, which is paved and accessible for all. For people fond of spotting creatures more mystical than the average woodland critter, the Spot the Gnome scavenger hunt at Lake Elmo Park Reserve might be a whimsical journey worth embarking on.
Free access is not limited to just a couple of parks but extends across all 10 county parks and regional trails. Activities available range from hiking to cross-country skiing and from mountain biking to horse trails, ensuring there's something for everyone who chooses to embrace the chill of late November in Minnesota. For those who delight in the law-abiding side of recreation, it's worth noting the utter prohibition of alcoholic beverages on park grounds.
