Many start their Christmas season shopping Black Friday deals. What if there were another option?

Why not skip the crowds and head to a Virginia State Park?

For the fourth year, Virginia State Parks is waging its TURN BLACK FRIDAY GREEN CAMPAIGN. Instead of camping out at a store waiting for deals (that may get better closer to Christmas anyway), why not go camping, hiking, or relaxing in a Virginia State Park?

You can do this

Snuggle up next to your campfire

Or you can do this

Photo courtesy of David Haines  www.photosbyhaines.com

Four parks have special programming available on Nov. 28: Caledon, Natural Tunnel, Sky Meadows and Southwest Virginia Museum state parks. Click here for details. But all of our parks are open for fresh air, some exercise after the Thanksgiving feast, and the solitude of nature.

And we also have a deal that will make your shopping easier. Beginning Monday, December 1, we will be offering our Virginia State Parks gift certificates for 25% off all the way until Christmas. Buy them for friends, family or your self. Gift certificates can be used for overnight stays, picnic shelter rental, annual passes, and some facility rentals at our 36 Virginia State Parks. Gift certificates are available though our Customer Service Center, open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling 800-933-7275.