Keeping up with campground fee changes is hard enough. Seasonal adjustments. Demand adjustments. Here’s another curve ball that Oregon State Parks managers are considering. The agency wants your opinion on a proposal that “would increase the top end of the range to $29 per night before taxes.” Top end of what? Utility campsite fees. But they aren’t stopping there—RVers could take a decided hit. The State could raise campground fees— maybe. It’s kind of nebulous.
Muddy water
What muddies the water is that the state isn’t firm on the issue. In their own words through a press release, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) says, “Increasing the rate ranges does not mean that the current fees charged per night will increase automatically. Instead, the ranges provide flexibility to adjust fees within that range over time as needed.” The agency feels this is a better approach for campground users, adding, “This avoids large increases all at once.” Yep, the state could raise campground fees—maybe.
The release continues, “Regular adjustments to rate ranges are necessary to respond to increases in utility costs, operations and maintenance needs, and inflation. Currently the rate range for tent campsites, for example, is $17 to $22 per night (plus any local lodging taxes). Rates vary by park and season. The proposal would increase the top end of the range to $29 per night before taxes. See the proposed rates.”
Rate ranges will hit some RVers harder than others
We’re including a rate chart showing current charges, and current “ranges.” For RVers looking for a full-hookup site, the daily charge now is $33. Under the present allowed “range,” that same site could go anywhere from $26 to $40. If the new range is accepted, those rates will “range” from $33 to $52 – with an exception we’ll come to in a moment.
In practice, how would the range system work? OPRD says, “Once rate ranges are adopted into rule, the state parks director has authority to adjust fees based on visitation patterns, increased costs and seasonal fluctuations up to four times per year (offering discounts during the fall/winter seasons, for example). The first rate ranges were adopted into rule in 2018 and implemented by the department in 2019.”
Almost as a footnote, the press release tells us that non-Oregon residents will get to pay a premium price at ALL campsites in the system. Under the new range system, out-of-staters would pay anywhere from $41.25 to $65 per night for a full-hookup site.
Planning a visit to an Oregon State Park campground looks to be a bit of a crapshoot. The state could raise campground fees—maybe.
Seeking feedback
Public comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted through 5 p.m. August 30, 2024, and can be submitted:
By mail: OPRD Department, Attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem, OR 97301
By email: OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov
Three public hearings will be held for the public to provide comments:
Virtual Hearing: Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 5:30 p.m. Register to attend the hearing.
In Person Hearings:
Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 5:30 p.m., Nehalem Bay State Park Meeting Hall, 34600 Garey St, Nehalem, OR 97131
Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 5:30 p.m. North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97301. Must arrive by 6 p.m. to testify.
The department is also seeking feedback via a short survey about opinions on camping facilities and programs that can be taken during the public comment period.
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Well, I wonder if Oregon Parks and Recreation could be less clear? 😉 Funny. Well, I extend my proxy to anyone that wants it. I don’t anticipate making it to Oregon in the RV. I had a great week in the Willamette Valley 40+ years ago. I’d hate to exchange those wonderful memories for something more recent and less wonderful. 🤔 Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Interesting. When we travel: we pay the state gasoline taxes, we pay for restaurant meals and tip appropriately, buy supplies in grocery stores (some of which are taxed), hardware stores and motels occasionally, museums and tourist stops – and then the state wants to charge us more just to camp there. No Thanks, Oregon (and the other states that do that)!
I was there to visit one of my college teammates, Herman. We ran dirt roads in and around Yamhill, visited and ran at all the iconic running spots in the Willamette Valley — Salem, Monmouth, Corvallis, and Eugene. Stayed with the family for whom he did farm work that summer. Just had a great time as a young 20-something whose life revolved around running. I must admit my opinion of Oregon these days is quite a bit less rosy. Have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Kudos to Oregon…BTW the state should charge way more for any Idaho campers since they seem to think they own most of the RV parks and campgrounds in eastern Oregon. On another note…Idahoans come into Eastern Oregon and buy everything from crackers and beer to housing materials without paying any of the ridiculous sales taxes they charge in their state. Yet when Oregon folks have to go to Idaho we pay their taxes.
After maybe 45 years of enjoying Oregon state parks, they have priced this Washington resident out. Say ADIOS to my greenbacks oregon..
California should charge double for out of state visitors! What a joke. People travel and spend $ here and everywhere. I have no plans to go to Oregon in the future. Majority of people there (including relatives) are transplants from other states!
Looks like the OPRD bureaucrats have decided they no longer need/want out of state RVer tourist dollars. You must be the envy of every other vacation destination yearning after our tourism dollars. We won’t be paying $61.25 to $65 per night nor will we spending money on activities, groceries, fuel, restaurants or anything else we’d purchase. No more Oregon coffee mugs or key chains, No more Oregon Ducks t-shirts. No more Tillimook ice cream or cheese. No more Willamette Valley wines. It was fun while it lasted Oregon….. bye bye.
Thank you for keeping us informed, Russ & Tina!
I’m sending them feedback thanks to your link/s above.
There are enough of us Oregonians to fill all the spots that out of staters won’t take because of the higher fee. Lots of states do this and we pay or don’t stay so all’s good. I wouldn’t trade my high income tax & property taxes to live anywhere else. I live 3 hours from skiing in winter, one hour from beautiful beaches, and are surrounded by green forests, lakes & waterfalls. We all choose our own paradise and Oregon is ours.