How could an Abiqua Falls State Park come together? Watch video
Explore Oregon host Zach Urness and Willamette Preservation Trust president Travis Williams talk about how Abiqua Falls could become a state park.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department on Feb. 20 announced that 22 additional state parks and recreational areas will no longer waive the parking fee beginning March 30.
The agency said visitors will need a day-use parking permit valid for all Oregon state parks, according to a release.
A day-use parking permit costs $10 for in-state visitors and $12 for out-of-state visitors. The permit is valid on the day of purchase at any Oregon State Park. Visitors can also purchase a 12-month permit for $60 for Oregon residents or $75 for non-residents.
Valid parking permits can be displayed by a hangtag when parking. Permits purchased online or via parking QR codes will be associated with a license plate.
Oregon Parks and Recreation currently requires a day-use parking permit at 46 parks, while parking fees at more than 150 parks across the state are waived.
The 22 parks and recreational sites that will require a parking permit were chosen based on amenities and features that require ongoing maintenance, such as restrooms, trails, paving, irrigation and boat ramps, according to the agency.
The parking fees will help pay for the upkeep and operations at these parks.
“These updates are about protecting the experiences visitors love,” said Stefanie Coons, Interim Director at Oregon Parks and Recreation. “We know fee changes are tough and we truly appreciate the support from visitors.”
Which Oregon state parks and recreational sites will require a parking permit beginning March 30?
Here are the 22 additional parks and recreational sites that will require a parking permit beginning March 30:
- Agate Beach State Recreation Area
- Angel’s Rest Trailhead
- Banks-Vernonia State Trail
- Bob Straub State Park
- Brian Booth State Park
- Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
- Cape Blanco State Park
- Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
- Carl G Washburne Memorial State Park
- Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
- Elijah Bristow State Park
- Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area
- Gleneden Beach State Recreation Area
- Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site
- Lake Owyhee State Park
- Latourell Falls Trailhead at Guy Talbot State Park
- Molalla River State Park
- Oceanside Beach State Recreation Area
- Roads End State Recreation Site
- Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
- Wallowa Lake State Park
- William M Tugman State Park
Where does Oregon State Park funding come from?
Oregon State Parks relies on three primary funding sources, including legally designated lottery revenue that provides just under half of the funds, recreational vehicle license plate fees, which contribute approximately 15% of funds and park fees from visitors, which generate about 35% of funds, according to the agency.
What other fees will be added on March 30?
Starting March 30, a $10 fee will be charged at 19 RV dump stations across Oregon’s park system. The fee will help cover the cost of maintaining these sites.
The state parks and recreational sites with dump stations that will begin charging the fee include:
- Ainsworth State Park
- Beverly Beach State Park
- Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site
- Collier Memorial State Park
- Farewell Bend State Recreation Area
- Fort Stevens State Park
- Goose Lake State Recreation Area
- Harris Beach State Park (campground and day-use)
- Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
- LaPine State Park
- Nehalem Bay State Park
- Memaloose State Park
- Milo McIver State Park
- Prineville Reservoir State Park
- Silver Falls State Park
- South Beach State Park
- The Cove Palisades State Park
- Valley of the Rogue State Park
Visitors can pay the fee online or by scanning a QR code at the dump station.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
link