Oregon state parks, recreation areas may see more fees increases
Published 4:30 am Thursday, December 4, 2025
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department dealing with an $8 million budget shortfall
As a means of closing an $8 million shortfall, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is considering hiking fees at some state campgrounds and recreation areas.
After doubling day-use parking fees at the beginning of the year and adding 21 locations that require paying to park in October, the state parks department is considering implementing so-called “dynamic pricing” for day-use passes and doubling the cost of an annual parking pass.
Current policy allows visitors to cancel within three days of their reservation to receive a full refund. The proposal would maintain that provision, but visitors would no longer receive refunds for same-day cancellations or if they fail to show up for their reservation.
Parking permits for state areas would also be affected under the proposed rule changes. The price for a 12-month resident parking permit would increase from $30 to as high as $100; out-of-state residents would pay a higher annual permit cost, as well as a 25% surcharge; 24-month parking permits would not be sold for the foreseeable future and the First Day Hike parking fee waiver would be eliminated.
Changes in state rules could also limit special passes for veterans and foster families who live within the state.
Those wishing to comment on the proposed rule changes have until Jan.15 to weigh in. They can comment during a virtual hearing on Dec. 15 or in writing online at [email protected].
Department finds itself short on funds
Oregon’s unique system of bankrolling its services may be partially to blame for the shortfall in the parks department’s coffers The state’s 250 parks are not supported by taxpayer money, but instead get their funds from the Oregon Lottery and visitors fees. Both revenue streams are expected to decrease in the coming years, officials said, while the costs of maintaining parks continues to skyrocket.
To avoid laying off personnel and closing parks, the department has partnered with private business and postponed some construction projects in addition to hiking some parking and camping fees.
“We are looking at reductions in staff travel, holding vacancies longer and adding more cabins and yurts to expand capacity and increase revenue,” Katie Gauthier, the department’s government relations and policy manager, told Oregon Public Broadcasting, a news partner of this publication. “And we’re looking at partnerships and sponsorships that would build a more sustainable future funding.”
Proposed increases come on the heels of other fee hikes
In October the department implemented new fees at some of its day-use parks and raised fees for some of its busiest overnight camping parks in an attempt to deal with withering funding.
The increases come on the heels of an increase in day-use fees from $5 to $10 in early 2025. It was the department’s first substantial increase in 15 years.
Formerly, the state waived day-use parking fees at the majority of its 250 state parks, charging a $10 fee for in-state visitors and $12 for out-of-state visitors at 25 parks. On Oct. 1, however, the department began requiring a parking fee at an additional 21 of its day-use parks, most on the coast and in central and eastern Oregon.
The fee hike did not apply to walkers, bicyclists, those who arrived via public transportation or possessors of valid 12- or 24-month parking permits issued by the department.
The department in May also increased overnight rates at nearly 30 of its busiest parks to $29 a night for tents, $52 for full recreational vehicle hook-ups through Sept. 30 and year-round on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The parks department also increased its cabin and yurt prices to between $72 to $129 a night and boat moorage fees from $15 to $20. Overnight parking, overflow camping and primitive camping fees were increased from $10 to at least $15 a night.
“State parks are some of the most beloved spaces in Oregon, but we have struggled as a state to sustainably fund them,” OPRD Director Lisa Sumption said in a news release. “We’re working to reimagine the future of Oregon State Parks as a financially resilient system that will serve generations to come.”
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