Mar 1, 2021
Many parks are open for day use and camping, but COVID-19 means we had to reduce or change some services to protect visitors and staff from exposure. Below, you'll find answers to many common questions about what to expect when you visit state parks.
1. How do the Oregon Coronavirus County Risk Levels impact my experience?
The latest efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 do not change much for visitors. Oregon State Parks and campgrounds will remain open, and visitors should continue to wear face coverings and give plenty of space to others.
The new County Risk Levels may impose capacity limits for certain activities, but outdoor parks and recreation opportunities are generally not affected, no matter the status of your county. However, formal garden areas like Shore Acres State Park follow the capacity limits for outdoor entertainment venues. Please visit the Governor's Coronavirus Guidance website and remember to take every precaution while you are visiting our parks to ensure a safe trip for you and others.
People can take precautions by limiting gatherings, wearing face coverings, washing hands often and observing physical distancing even while outside. While we do not plan to close any outdoor or open-air group areas at this time, we do ask that visitors observe these rules while using them. Indoor facilities like meeting halls will be closed until further notice.
2. What's closed?
Most visitor centers and hiker/biker sites remain closed. Group sites — including picnic areas, meeting halls and group camps — remain closed and are not accepting future reservations. A handful of parks are temporarily closed due to the September wildfire emergency. And, some campgrounds close for the fall and winter every year, starting in October or November. Check our Park Status Map for updates on open and closed parks.
3. What campgrounds are open?
Note: Many yurts and cabins are now open; reservations are required and two night minimum stay. Details and specific service reductions are on the park page. Please visit the link.
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Note: All showers are closed. Additional service reductions are on the park page. Please visit the link.
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Note: Service reductions are on the park page. Please visit the link.
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Note: Service reductions are on the park page. Please visit the link.
Read the full press release on limited camping resuming at some state parks.
4. How do I make a reservation?
Reservations are being accepted online at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com and by phone at 800-452-5687. New reservations will be accepted one day to six months in advance, for stays that begin within this time period. New sites will come online at 6 a.m. daily. This went into effect Jan. 14, 2021; read our news release for the full announcement.
Not all sites at all parks are available. Group sites — including picnic areas, meeting halls and group camps — remain closed and are not accepting future reservations. If we need to cancel your reservation due to a COVID-19 closure, we will contact you. Reservations for some yurts and cabins, group facilities and meeting halls are subject to cancellation. See the Cancellations and Refunds section below for more information.
5. What should I expect when I visit a state park?
We have implemented strict cleaning protocols and adapted processes to create a safe experience for visitors and staff. In some locations, restrooms or facilities may be closed if we do not have the staff to maintain deep cleaning schedules. You can also expect the following changes:
6. I'm from out of state. What do I need to know about traveling to Oregon?
If you are visiting a state park from outside Oregon, we ask you to self-quarantine at home for 14 days before entering the state to help reduce chances of spreading the virus. This means you should limit interactions to your immediate household during those 14 days. Likewise, if you are returning to Washington or California following your stay, you ought to self-quarantine again for 14 days. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced this joint travel advisory with the governors of Washington and California on Nov. 13, 2020 in response to rising COVID-19 cases in the three states. While visiting, we strongly advise you to stick to your campsite and to your own household group.
If you have questions about your reservation, please contact us at 800-551-6949 or park.info@oregon.gov.
7. What can I do to help keep parks open?
Please prepare:
And care:
Watch our Prepare + Care video here.
8. I have a reservation at a park or facility that is closed because of COVID-19. What’s your cancellation policy?
Reservations at areas closed due to COVID-19 are being canceled and fees refunded, including the $8 reservation fee. You will be notified by email if your reservation is canceled or modified. We aim to open as many facilities as we can, as budget allows and without compromising the safety of visitors and staff. Thank you for your patience.
If you do not see your refund within 10 business days of receiving notification that your cancellation is processing, please contact us at 800-551-6949 or park.info@oregon.gov.
9. What about my day-use parking permit?
Since our state park system was closed to all public use from March 23 to May 6, 2020, and did not substantially re-open to day-use until the week of May 11, we will add time to 12 and 24-month parking permits that were unable to be used during our closures.
Two months will be added to all 12 and 24-month state park parking permits currently valid and in circulation. This extension applies to 12-month permits purchased starting in March 2019, and 24-month permits purchased starting in March 2018.
Any 12 or 24-month pass purchased in May 2020 or later will expire normally. The Pacific Coast Passport is not part of the day-use parking permit extensions. For more details, see our Day-Use Permit Extension page.
10. Can I get my tax dollars back since you are operating with reduced services?
Oregon State Parks does not operate with any general fund tax dollars. Park operations are funded through three main sources: Lottery revenue, user fees, and a portion of RV registration proceeds.
11. If services are reduced, why are you charging full price?
The pandemic has redefined “normal” in many areas of our lives, including camping in state parks. We didn’t hire our normal crew of seasonal staff, but we have even more work to do to maintain new, strict cleaning protocols. As a result, we have had to close some facilities like showers and playgrounds where we do not have adequate resources and staff.
Your reservation fee covers the cost of your site and basic amenities like electric hookups and water (depending on type of site), as well as access to a restroom, as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules. That fee is critical for sustaining the state park system and allowing us to return to pre-pandemic service levels.
12. Are beaches open?
Yes. Cities and counties can ask the state's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to close beaches within the city or county boundaries. We will honor requests approved by the OEM.
13. Are park RV dump stations open?
If the park is closed, so is the dump station. Commercial providers may still be open.
14. Are boat launches open?
If the park is closed, so is the boat launch. Some boat launches inside open state parks are closed. Please check the park's webpage.
15. Are life jacket loaner stations open?
The life jacket loaner program available at some parks will not be provided until further notice, due to safety and sanitation concerns. Please plan ahead by bringing a life jacket from home.
16. What about parks managed by other agencies?
For other land management agencies and their updates, please visit:
Respect any closures. Closed means closed.
Stay home. Save lives.
