Opt Outside

Seminole Woods Trail, Hillsborough River State Park

REI started the ball rolling two years ago announcing they’d be closing their stores nationwide on Black Friday and encouraging their employees and customers to #OptOutside: spend the day outdoors instead of in a shopping frenzy. Other retailers, particularly those who sell outdoor clothing and gear, have followed suit. Now it’s a movement: spend Black Friday outdoors! In fact, why not spend the entire weekend?

Here are our suggestions for some great places for a Black Friday hike, bike, paddle, or family gathering outdoors. Zoom into your area to find the places we think you’ll enjoy. Click on an icon for details.

Our selections above focus on public lands with no hunting allowed during Thanksgiving Week, but plenty of miles to roam. OptOutside!

Bayport-Linda Pedersen Paddling Trail

Following the Bayport-Linda Pedersen Paddling Trail for 1.7 miles through mazes of needlerush along Florida's Adventure Coast, you're immersed in
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Blowing Rocks Preserve

One of the most dramatic shorelines in Florida, the rocky shore of Blowing Rocks Preserve has sea caves and bluffs
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Brevard’s Coast to Coast Trail

Anchoring the eastern end of the state-spanning Coast to Coast Trail, a bike trail system across Central Florida, the Brevard
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Camp Chowenwaw Park

In a deeply forested area on Black Creek north of Green Cove Springs, Camp Chowenwaw Park provides campers and hikers
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Catfish Creek Preserve State Park

On the ridges at Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, some steep as a ski slope, these elevated slivers of blinding
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Chinsegut Big Pine Tract

The southernmost concentration of ancient longleaf pine in America, the Big Pine Tract of Chinsegut WEA is also the second
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Coldwater Gardens

A private nature retreat north of Milton, Coldwater Gardens is a study in serenity, melding camping, gardening, and enjoyment of
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Dry Tortugas National Park

Our friend Bob "TruckrBob" Finley shares his experience with planning, and reaching, the toughest park to visit in Florida: Dry
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East Central Regional Rail Trail

Following a historic railroad corridor through southern Volusia County, the 37-mile East Central Regional Rail Trail (ECRRT) links together Edgewater,
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Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

It’s the Amazon of North America, home of the ghost orchid. Protecting more than 85,000 acres, Fakahatchee Strand is Florida's
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