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Opt Outside with Indiana DNR

Person at picnic table with rocks spelling optoutside

OptOutsideIN2024 is Friday, November 29, 2024

Spend time outdoors with Indiana DNR on Black Friday and win prizes as a part of OptOutsideIN2024.

State park properties will offer FREE ADMISSION. To participate, visit a state park, state managed reservoir, or an off-road riding state recreation area.

“There’s nothing like going for a hike the day after Thanksgiving to work off the turkey and fixings from the day before,” said Dan Bortner, DNR director. “The benefits of opting outside go beyond the quality memories created with family or the mental perks of spending time in nature. Hoosiers can also win fun prizes that will keep them connected with Indiana DNR year-round.,” said DNR Director Dan Bortner.

To participate, you can do one or both of the following to increase your chances of winning prizes:

Reveal ways to win

Share photos on social media

Posts that do not use the hashtag are not eligible for the drawings.

List of social media accounts 

Share photos on social media

Use #OptOutsideIN2024 and share photos of the day on select Indiana DNR Social Media accounts.

Join scavenger hunt

Return the form to SPContests@dnr.IN.gov by Dec. 6, 2024.

Download Form 

Join scavenger hunt

Complete at least 10 activities on a scavenger hunt on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.

Prizes

Prizes include: 2025 DNR annual entrance passes, Outdoor Indiana subscriptions, Indiana DNR camping and inn gift cards, and opt outside swag items.

Social media accounts

Facebook

Use #OptOutsideIN2024 and tag one of the profiles below. Indicate the location in your photo description. We may contact you to use your photo for promotional purposes.

Instagram

Use #OptOutsideIN2024 and tag one of the profiles below. Indicate the location in your photo description. We may contact you to use your photo for promotional purposes.

Rules

  • Scavenger Hunt

    To submit a scavenger hunt entry for consideration in the #OptOutsideIN2024 Scavenger Hunt contest, please read the following rules and regulations.

    Requirements:

    • Scavenger hunt activities must be completed on Nov. 29, 2024, at an  Indiana Department of Natural Resources-managed property.
    • Scavenger hunt form must be turned in by Dec. 6, 2024, via email at SPContests@dnr.in.gov or by mail to Indiana State Park, 402 W. Washington Room W298, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Digital entries should be turned in as a PDF or photo file (png, jpeg, jpg). Forms sent via links to external drives will not be eligible.
    • Only one scavenger hunt form per person.
    • Participants may be contacted for permission for use of their photos.
    • Winners will be announced on social media and on https://on.in.gov/optoutside after the contest.
    • Once announce, selected winners should email SPContests@dnr.in.gov to claim their prize. If winners do not reach out by Dec. 31, 2024, their prize is forfeited.
    • Eligibility: Employees of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are not eligible.
  • Social Media

    To submit a picture for consideration in the #OptOutsideIN2024 social media contest, please read the following rules and regulations.

    Requirements:

    • Photo/s must be taken on Nov. 29, 2024.
    • Photo/s must be taken at an Indiana Department of Natural Resources-managed property.
    • Photo/s must be shared on Facebook or Instagram on Nov. 29, 2024.
    • Photo/s must be public and available to view from at least Nov. 29 through Dec. 31, 2024.
    • Photo/s must include the hashtag #OptOutsideIN2024 and tag an official DNR social media page.
    • Participants may share one or multiple photos but will only be entered once in the drawing.
    • Participants may be contacted for permission for use of their photo.
    • Winners will be announced on social media and on https://on.in.gov/optoutside after the contest.
    • Once announced, selected winners should email SPContests@dnr.in.gov to claim their prize. If winners do not reach out by Dec. 31, 2024, their prize is forfeited.
    • Eligibility: Employees of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are not eligible.

#OptOutsideIN2024 winners

It was great to see so many choosing to #OptOutsideIN2024 on the day after Thanksgiving. All the social media entries and scavenger hunts were tallied, and below are the randomly drawn prize winners.

  • 2024 Scavenger Hunt Winners
    • Megan Thompson – a 2025 Annual Entrance Pass from DNR’s Division of State Parks
    • Shaun Asher - $50 Inns gift card from DNR’s Division of State Parks
    • Ann Poling - $50 Camp gift card from DNR’s Division of State Parks
    • Elma Chapman - (2) #OptOutside Headbands and (2) #OptOutside Drawstring Sport Bags from DNR’s Division of State Parks
    • Ally Pickering - Outdoor Indiana Magazine subscription
  • 2024 Social Media Prizes
    • hike.dogs.jeep.repeat – a 2025 Annual Entrance Pass from DNR’s Division of State Parks
    • Steve Mundy - $50 Inns gift card from DNR’s Division of State Parks
    • Heather Sparkman Logan - $50 Camp gift card from DNR’s Division of State Parks
    • Susan Wilker - (2) #OptOutside Headbands and (2) #OptOutside Drawstring Sport Bags from DNR’s Division of State Parks
    • Dan Garza - Outdoor Indiana Magazine subscription

Two people jumping in front of lake

#OptOutsideIN2023 winners

It was great to see so many choosing to #OptOutsideIN2023 on the day after Thanksgiving. All the social media entries and scavenger hunts were tallied, and below are the randomly drawn prize winners.

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