Visitors to Oregon state parks might pay a little more than they’re used to in 2025.
A sweeping set of fee increases approved in 2024 will take effect in the new year, raising the price of day-use parking as well as overnight camping, from basic tent sites to deluxe yurts.
Starting Thursday, day-use parking fees will increase from $5 to $10 per vehicle at the 25 parks that charge those fees. The remaining 230 state park sites do not have day-use fees — though a recent rule change allows the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to change which parks do and don’t charge for parking.
The cost of annual parking permits, which are good at all state park sites, will remain the same: $30 for one year and $50 for two years.
Camping fees, which will increase across the board, have already gone into effect for those who made reservations for 2025. Those increases include:
- $2 increase for miscellaneous sites (including tipis, meeting halls and other facilities)
- $3 increase for all tent sites (including horse tent sites and group sites) and primitive sites (including overflow, fly-in and walk-in sites)
- $4 increase for all RV sites
- $5 increase for all cabins and yurts
Camping rates vary by location and season, but currently range from $17 to $38 nightly.
Starting July 1, out-of-state visitors will also pay a 25% surcharge on all camping sites. That surcharge currently only applies to RV sites.
The state parks department, which does not receive tax dollars, has said the fee increases are necessary to continue funding its operations. A little less than half of the department’s funds comes from state lottery proceeds, park officials said, while about 35% comes from visitor fees and 15% comes from RV license plate fees.
There are ways for people to get free or discounted entry to state parks. Special access passes are available for Oregon foster parents and guardians, as well as U.S. veterans and active military members. Many public libraries also have a limited number of parking passes that the public can borrow for a short time.
Parking fees are waived three days of the year: New Year’s Day, State Parks Day on the first Saturday in June (which also offers free camping), and Green Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
Park officials said the department will “continue to explore options in the future that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain Oregon State Parks and manage congestion.”
— Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB.
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