PORTLAND, Ore. – Beginning Tuesday, July 1, 2025, visitors to Oregon’s state parks who reside outside the state will face a 25 percent surcharge on camping and parking fees, a measure implemented by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission.
This new surcharge represents an additional cost layered onto a general fee increase for all park users that took effect earlier this year. At the start of the year, the cost of a day-use parking pass for all visitors rose from $5 to $10. The 25 percent surcharge for out-of-state visitors will now bring their daily parking fee to $12.
Understanding the New Fee Structure
The fee structure now clearly differentiates between Oregon residents and non-residents for various park access and usage types. For those visiting for a single day, the parking pass will cost $10 for residents, reflecting the earlier statewide increase. Non-residents, however, will pay $12 per day due to the added 25 percent surcharge.
Annual parking passes also reflect this differential. Non-residents purchasing an annual pass will pay $37, while Oregon residents will pay $30.
Camping fees are likewise affected by the new policy. Nightly rates for tent campsites for non-residents will range from $25 to $53. In comparison, Oregon residents will pay between $20 and $42 for the same type of campsite.
The cost of lodging options such as cabins and yurts will also see the 25 percent increase for out-of-state visitors. Non-residents will pay between $61 and $147 per night for these structures. For Oregon residents, the nightly rate for cabins and yurts will be lower, ranging from $48 to $120.
Context and Previous Changes
This marks the latest adjustment in the state’s park fee schedule aimed at managing resources and funding park operations. The 25 percent surcharge on non-resident RV campsites, for example, has been in effect since 2022, predating this broader application of the surcharge to all camping and parking fees for out-of-state users.
The earlier fee increase at the start of the year, which doubled the standard day-use parking fee for everyone, signaled a move towards higher user contributions to park maintenance and services. The new surcharge specifically targeting non-residents further distinguishes the cost structure based on residency.
Impact on Visitors
The implementation of this 25 percent surcharge is expected to impact the travel budgets of out-of-state visitors planning trips to Oregon’s state parks starting in July 2025. While the standard fees contribute to the overall upkeep and operation of the parks, the additional amount collected from non-residents is intended to address various factors related to park funding and use patterns.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission stated the rule change went into effect on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, applying the fee differential across a wider range of services used by out-of-state visitors. This ensures that those residing outside of Oregon contribute a higher percentage towards accessing and utilizing the state’s park facilities.
Visitors planning trips to Oregon’s parks after the effective date are advised to consult the official Oregon Parks and Recreation Department website for detailed and current fee schedules based on residency and specific park amenities, as the new rates will apply uniformly across the state park system.
This policy adjustment underscores the commission’s ongoing efforts to establish fee structures that support the long-term sustainability and accessibility of Oregon’s natural treasures for both residents and visitors, while creating a distinct pricing tier for those who do not contribute to the state’s tax base that supports the park system.
