Months after hiking up day-use fees, Oregon reveals record-breaking visitation at state parks

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — It appears that Oregon officials’ decision to double day-use fees at state parks happened as a result of record-breaking visitation numbers.

The Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation just announced that 2024 was its most bustling year thus far, with a projected 53.85 million day-use visits. This record was previously held by 2021, which had about 200,000 fewer visits.

The parks department noted there was just a 3% rise in visitation when compared to 2023. Officials attributed the increase to a growing trend of people “seeking out coastal parks in greater numbers,” even though some sites like Beverly and Bullard Beach state parks were closed due to construction.

While 2023’s almost-record-breaking numbers revealed OPRD’s need for additional staff, the following year revealed the need for higher revenue for the busy parks.

Starting on Oct. 15, 2024, the department increased fees for bookings like RV sites, cabins and yurts by up to $5. Officials doubled day-use parking fees from $5 to $10 later on Jan. 2.

Agency leaders say the hikes have come as the price tag for operations and maintenance has outpaced its budget by more than 30%.

According to a release, some parks host up to 17,000 campers — nearly the population of the City of Canby — nightly during their peak seasons. The department reported that others have restrooms that are more than 50 years old, and one particular park requires “nearly a semi-truck load of toilet paper” for visitors annually.

But OPRD Director Lisa Sumption said the choice to increase rates is not a long-term one.

“We need to talk about what Oregonians want for the future of Oregon State Parks and how do we, as a state, make sure they’re sustainably funded for current and future generations,” Sumption said in a statement.

The department is not funded by taxes.