Smith Rock State Park in Deschutes County, Ore. on May 16, 2020.
Stephani Gordon / OPB
People parking at many Oregon State Parks next year will have to pay a steeper fee.
The state is raising day-use parking fees from $5 to $10. Twenty-five state parks require such fees.
These include Central Oregon destinations like Smith Rock and Tumalo, coastal destinations like Heceta Head Lighthouse and Ecola State Park, and Willamette Valley parks like Silver Falls and Fall Creek.
Visitors will need to pay the new fees starting Jan. 2, 2025, according to a press release from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. It’s the first time in 15 years that the department has raised parking fees.
The department gets about 35% of its revenue from visitor park fees, which helps it pay for operations and maintenance. It says the increase, along with hiked prices for reservations and camping fees, are necessary “to keep pace with rising costs.”
The parks department won’t be increasing 12- and 24-month parking permits in 2025. It’s $30 for 12 months and $50 for 24 months. But the state is making 12-month permits $5 off for the month of December as part of an annual sale.
The state will continue to have special access passes available for free camping and day-use parking for a number of different groups.
They include Oregon foster parents, guardians and parents with foster children. They also include U.S. veterans with a disability from service and active members of the U.S. Military who are on leave.
Day-use fees are waived the day after Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day and Oregon State Parks day, which is the first Saturday of June.
“OPRD 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,” the press release said.
