Is Oregon State Parks raising its camping rates?
Yes, Oregon State Parks periodically increases its campsite rates to keep pace with costs. We are limited to an approved range of rates for those increases. We will announce the rates for the 2025 camping season later this year, and they will fall within the currently approved range.
We are also proposing an increase in rate ranges for overnight camping so the range can keep pace with inflation and costs. The new range would be used for future increases after we set rates at the beginning of 2025.
Community members provided public comments on the proposal to increase rate ranges in August. We gathered the feedback and made a few changes to the proposal. We plan to present the proposal to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission Sept. 18 for possible adoption.
The proposed rate range increases include a range of rates to allow for increases over time. Adopting a range gives the director the flexibility to increase rates over time as needed. Rates will not start at the top of the range.
Would day-use parking permit fees increase?.
Yes. Under the current proposal for rate range increases, parking permits would increase for the first time in 15 years. We know the minimum daily parking charge would be at least $7 if the rule is approved and could increase up to $15 over time. If the rule is approved, we could eventually charge different rates at different parks based on site features and need to manage congestion, but no decisions have been made.
What are the proposed rate range increases?
What about campers from out-of-state?
State law requires us to charge 25% more to visitors who reside out-of-state and rent a state park RV site, which represent the majority of our sites. The current proposal would add the surcharge to all site types for out-of-state campers. Our campsite rates tend to be in the middle or low end of the market average but provide exceptional quality.
Why are increases needed?
We have three main sources of funding. A little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from our share of recreational vehicle license plate fees, and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. The state park system is not funded by taxes.
Each source of revenue is needed to keep parks open, staffed and well-supplied, and to do repairs.
More revenue needs to be earned to cope with increased costs of labor, historic inflation and a constitutionally required increase in the share of lottery we put into the local government grants program. The share went from 12% of our lottery funds to 25%. Community recreation grants are a core part of our mission.
We don't have control over how much we receive from the RV license plate fees or the constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, but we can control our fees to earn the revenue needed. We still have an ongoing obligation to operate as leanly as possible without compromising service or endangering park resources.
When would the rate ranges go into effect?
The standard campsite rate increases will be announced later this year and go into effect for reservations for January 1, 2025 and beyond. Those increases will fall within the currently approved range. If the proposed rate ranges are approved and adopted by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission, the new ranges for overnight camping and facilities would likely go into effect July 1, 2025 and be used for any future increases starting in mid-2025. Rate increases are approved by the director and published before they go into effect.
The proposed day-use parking permit fee ranges, if approved and adopted by the Commission, would be effective January 1, 2025. Rates would go up by at least $2 per day because the new rate range would start at $7 instead of $5 per day.
Are you worried higher fees will make it harder to serve people who can’t afford it?
Yes. It’s especially important to keep fees for tent sites as low as possible, and to ensure quality daytime park experiences are available at little to no additional cost. Most state parks don’t charge for parking, even if they have major natural or historic features, and we don’t charge people who don’t drive to a park. Day-use parking permits will be available for checkout at many local libraries so ask your local library about participating in the program. We also have special access passes for free camping and day-use parking permits for the following residents:
We are continuing to consider options that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain our parks and managing congestion.