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Published on January 11, 2025
Oregon State Parks Day-Use Parking Fee Doubles After 15 Years, Annual Permits Remain UnchangedSource: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

Visitors to some of Oregon's scenic state parks will need to dig a little deeper into their pockets starting this month. To keep up with the rising costs of operations and maintenance, Oregon State Parks has implemented a fee hike, doubling the price of day-use parking from $5 to $10 at 25 of its parks, starting January 2. This change, notably, comes after 15 years without any increase in parking fees, as reported by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

While the price for parking is seeing an uptick, annual and biennial permit fees will hold steady at $30 for 12 months, and $50 for 24 months respectively. In a bid to offer some solace to frequent park visitors, a $5 discount on the 12-month permit is being offered through December as part of an annual sale. These permits are an access pass to the expansive network of more than 250 state parks, with only 25 charging for day-use parking.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), which relies heavily on funds garnered from constituently dedicated lottery funds, recreational vehicle license plate fees, and park visitor fees, does not receive tax dollars to fuel its operations. Instead, approximately 35% of its funding is covered by fees from visitors, less than half from lottery funds, and about 15% through licensing fees.

Apart from the general public, certain groups receive special access passes for free parking and camping. This includes Oregon foster parents, guardians, and parents who have adopted foster children from Oregon, U.S. veterans with service-connected disabilities, and active duty U.S. military personnel on official leave. Moreover, OPRD waives parking fees on select days such as the day after Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, and Oregon State Parks Day, held on the first Saturday in June, which also includes free camping privileges.

Despite the fee increase, the department acknowledges the need to keep the parks accessible while also managing congestion and maintaining the parks' infrastructure. "OPRD will continue to explore options in the future that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain our parks and manage congestion," as stated in an announcement regarding the fee changes.