Forget the shopping, forego the leftovers and get yourself to a state park on Black Friday.

For the second year, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is waiving all parking and day-use fees the day after Thanksgiving, offering a more natural - and healthier - alternative to the American retail holiday.

It's one of the only days of the year that state parks in Oregon are free; the department doesn't usually participate in fee-free days since the vast majority of state parks are free year-round. Of the 197 state park sites, only 25 charge a $5 day-use parking fee.

But the parks that charge tend to be among the most popular in the state, from Fort Stevens and Cape Lookout on the coast, to Smith Rock and The Cove Palisades in central Oregon.

The nonprofit Oregon State Parks Foundation is celebrating as well, offering special programming and raffles at Stub Stewart, Tryon Creek, Champoeg and Silver Falls State Parks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day.

The parks department isn't the only one encouraging people to get outside for Black Friday. Outdoor retailer REI is once again closing its stores and encouraging people to get into nature with its second #OptOutside campaign.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission won't waive its Discover Pass fees for Black Friday this year, but in 2017 it will waive fees for "Autumn Day" on the day after Thanksgiving.

--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB