Reminder, state park permits and fee changes coming in 2027

SALEM – With winter closures and maintenance around the corner, the Oregon Parks and Recreation department recently put out an update on what the agency accomplished this year and what changes are coming to state parks in 2027. OPRD Celebrated 2.2 million camping nights across the state so far this year and stated that fee changes managed to close a $14 million dollar funding gap for the 2025-2027 biennium budget, including fees that hadn’t been changed in around 15 years.

That said, visitors to Oregon State Parks, including those who make use of the agency’s online services, should expect some changes beginning this fall and heading into the new year. This includes updated and increased fees and permits as the agency reports that deferred maintenance due to budgetary concerns remains a problem, despite the recent successes in closing the funding gap.

Beginning January 1st, 2027, the Transient Lodging Tax set by the Oregon Tourism Commission will increase from 1.5% to 2.75% across the state. This will impact all OPRD overnight camping reservations. Further, physical 12-month parking permits (aka hang tags) will no longer be available in person at select stores. Physical hang tags will only be available online and will have their price increased by $10 for a total of $70 for residents and 85$ for non-residents. Digital permits will maintain the standard price at $60 for residents and $75 for non-residents. OPRD offered the following explanation for the change:

“While it was great to have the 12-month parking permits available in stores and through different groups, tracking, reconciling, and processing returns for physical permits carries significant administrative burden. As customers increasingly use digital permits, the manual vendor system no longer aligns with purchasing behavior. Centralizing sales reduces workload and simplifies public access.”

Beginning May 1st, 2027, rate increases will also go into effect for reservable day-use facilities at all parks, along with yurts and cabins. The increase will be around 5% to, as written by OPRD, “account for inflation in utility, supplies and staffing costs.”

OPRD further wrote that it will not be making as many fee changes in 2027 and will instead focus on addressing a large, deferred maintenance backlog to avoid park closures. Reflecting on the recent fee changes and the future of state parks, OPRD would again write:

“The agency does not receive general fund tax revenue, and fees alone will not be able to address deferred maintenance. OPRD has been and will continue to focus on long-term funding solutions that can meet the scale of the deferred maintenance need.”

Reminder, state park permits and fee changes coming in 2027

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