Holidays in Oregon State Parks: Sale on Permits, Silver Falls Festival

Published 12/04/2019 at 7:52 PM PDT
By OREGON TRAVEL DAILY STAFF

(Silverton, Oregon) – Oregon State Parks and Recreation (OPRD) really knows how to celebrate the holidays. There’s a major Yuletide event happening in Silver Falls State Park and the agency is offering a nice chunk of change off its yearly parking permits – perfect as a holiday gift.

In the deep, dark and atmospheric woods of Silver Falls, their 42nd annual Christmas Festival is coming up on December 14 – 15 at the park’s South Falls day-use area and Silver Falls Conference Center. The family-friendly event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We’re lucky to have the volunteer and community support to continue this event year after year,” said Matt Palmquist, interpretive park ranger. “It’s one of our favorite events and it’s always a blast to celebrate the holiday season with our visitors.”

Planned event activities include wreath making, kid-friendly crafts, bird house building, guided walks through the park, refreshments and live music.

A free shuttle service will be available to ferry visitors between the day-use area and conference center 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days. Visitors can purchase food at the South Falls Café or conference center.

Silver Falls State Park charges a $5 day-use parking fee. More information about the park, including maps, is on oregonstateparks.org

This holiday season, give the gift of unlimited access to Oregon's state parks with an annual day-use parking permit. From December 1 - 31, holiday shoppers can buy annual parking permits for only $25 -that's $5 off the regular price of $30.

“This is the only time we discount the annual pass,” said Lisa Sumption, director of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). “What better way to celebrate the holidays than with the gift that encourages adventure in Oregon’s special places?”

Purchasing these passes is easy--buy them online at store.oregonstateparks.org, along with branded holiday gift gear, such as water bottles, T-shirts and hoodies. Select merchandise is also on sale during the month of December.

Parking permits are also sold at major OPRD offices, some state park friends' group stores and selected local businesses throughout the state. For a complete list of vendors, visit oregonstateparks.org.

Parking costs $5 a day at 25 Oregon State Parks unless you have a 12- or 24-month parking permit or a same-day camping receipt. The 24-month pass is $50. The permits are transferable from vehicle to vehicle.

Visitors are the single largest source of funding for Oregon's state parks. Revenue from RV registrations and the Oregon Lottery, dedicated by voters in 1998 and 2010, make up the rest.