These Oregon state parks will have parking fees by the end of the month
Visitors will have to pay parking fees at 22 more Oregon state parks by the end of the month.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department requires day-use parking permits at 46 parks and waives fees at more than 150 parks across the state, and on March 30, the department will add parking fees at an additional 22 day-use parks to help pay for the maintenance and operations of amenities at those locations.
About 35% of funding for Oregon State Parks comes from these parking fees, and the fee changes are to protect the experience at these locations, interim department director Stefanie Coons said in a statement.
“We know fee changes are tough and we truly appreciate the support from visitors,” Coons said. “These changes help us take care of things people count on like restrooms, boat ramps and trails, so we can keep parks safe, clean and welcoming for everyone.”
Access to state parks remains free for visitors arriving without a car. Oregon residents must pay $10 to park a car while out-of-state visitors must pay $12 for the entire day of purchase.
For frequent park visitors looking to save on parking, an annual parking permit costs $60 for Oregon residents and may be purchased online.
March 30 also marks the start of a $10 fee at 19 RV dump stations across the park system. This fee helps cover the cost of maintaining this amenity and supports efforts toward more sustainable operations.
State parks with parking fees added March 30 include:
- 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
For more information about day use fees at Oregon State Parks, visit the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department website.
Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Shumway for questions: [email protected]. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter.
STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].
Mia Maldonado began working at the Oregon Capital Chronicle in 2025 to cover the Oregon Legislature and state agencies with a focus on social services. She began her journalism career with the Capital Chronicle's sister outlet in Idaho, the Idaho Capital Sun, where she received multiple awards for her coverage of the environment and Latino affairs. She has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and international political economy from the College of Idaho. Born and raised in the West, Mia enjoys hiking, skiing and rockhounding in her free time.
2 Comments
Comments are closed.
The world has changed and we have to change with it. I see no reason not to have parking fees. It might keep people from visiting multiple locations in a day – but they can always buy an annual pass. Then they can visit wherever the want whenever they want.
A single parking permit is valid at every state park the day it is purchased, so you could visit Roads End and Agate Beach the same day on one permit. 🙂