Oregon state parks may raise full-hookup RV sites to $80

Oregon state parks are among the most beautiful in the country, as scenic and desirable as those at any privately owned RV resort. But soon the price of a campsite at a state park there could look a whole lot more like their commercial counterparts.

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission has approved new higher fee ranges for campsites, yurts, and cabins as the agency tries to deal with rising costs and a severe budget shortfall. The change doesn’t automatically raise prices everywhere immediately, but it gives park officials the authority to increase rates over time.

For RVers, the biggest takeaway is the potential jump in full-hookup campsite prices. Under the new fee structure, the maximum allowed rate for a full-hookup RV site could climb from about $52 per night to as much as $80 during times of high demand.

Other campsite types could also rise within newly expanded ranges, including electrical-hookup sites, tent sites, and primitive campsites. Yurts and cabins would see higher allowable price ceilings, as well.

A primitive campsite could jump from the current maximum price of $25 to $40. Daily parking could go as high as $25.

New cancellation policy

Those who cancel a campsite at the last minute or don’t show up will face tougher refund rules beginning in April. “The idea is to encourage people to cancel earlier so more sites are available,” said OPRD (Oregon Parks and Recreation Department) spokeswoman Katie Gauthier, as reported by the Statesman Journal.

Under the new policy, no refunds will be issued for same-day cancellations or for no-show reservations. Refunds for earlier cancellations will be issued on a sliding scale based on how long the reservation was held and how close it is to the arrival date.

State officials say the changes are needed because park operating costs including utilities, maintenance, and staffing have increased sharply in recent years. Lottery funding, another key revenue source for Oregon state parks, has not kept pace with expenses.

The new fee ranges give park administrators flexibility to adjust prices based on demand, season, and rising costs in the future.

New daily parking prices

Oregon state parks will also require a daily parking permit at 22 additional parks starting March 30, 2026. The parks were selected based on amenities and features that require maintenance and operation such as restrooms, trails, irrigation, boat ramps and more. The fee will be $10 for in-state residents and $12 for out-of-state residents.

The fees will be added to these parks:

• Agate Beach State Recreation Site
• Angel’s Rest Trailhead
• Banks Trailhead at 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 Site
• 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 Site
• Roads End State Recreation Site
• Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
• Wallowa Lake State Park
• William M. Tugman State Park

RELATED

• More Oregon state parks to start charging for parking
• Oregon considers major overhaul of state park reservations amid crowding and cancellations
• Camping at Southern Oregon’s beautiful Harris Beach State Park
• Oregon to increase camping rates to highest level at nearly 30 parks

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