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. The current proposal is to increase rate ranges for overnight camping so the range can keep pace with inflation and costs. Community members can provide comments on the proposal through Aug. 30. We will gather the feedback, make any needed changes and present the proposal to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission this fall for possible adoption.
Learn more about the proposals and the options to comment: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-Rule-2024-Fees-V2.aspx.
Increasing the rate range and setting rates for the next camping season are different things. We will announce the rates for the 2025 camping season later this year, and they will fall within the currently approved range. The new range will be used for the future after we set rates for 2025.
Would day-use parking permit fees increase?
Yes. Under the proposed rule, 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?
- Overnight camping
- Campsite fees vary by park and season, but they all fall within an approved range for each site type. The director sets the price within the range. We’re reaching the top end of the current range. To keep pace with increasing costs and inflation, we need to set a new range that allows for gradual increases in rates over time. The current range was set five years ago
- Tent campsites, for example, currently have an approved range from $17 to $22. But the highest fee charged at any park is $21 (within the range, but not the top). The proposed new range for tent sites is $21 to $29.
- If the rate range is approved, we won’t begin by charging at the top end of the range.
- Find a full list of current and proposed ranges by site typeis available on the rulemaking website.
- Day-use
- The $5 day-use parking permit fee hasn’t changed in 15 years, and has always been a single, fixed figure statewide. The proposed rule increases the daily fee to at least $7 with a range that tops out at $15. It also would give the director authority to charge different daily rates at different parks and decide which parks charge for parking.
- Different day-use rates could be set based on the need to manage congestion or based on exceptional attractions in a park.
- The current proposed rate range for 12- and 24-month parking permits would increase by $10 to $40 for annual permit and to $60 for 24 months. (The new ranges extend up to $60 for 12 months and $80 for 24 months to handle future inflation.)
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?
New campsite rates will be announced later this year and go into effect January 1, 2025. 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 are continuing to look for options that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain our parks and managing congestion.
People who want to share how the proposals affect them should go to the agency web page at www.oregon.gov/oprd and comment before 5 p.m. on August 30.
