Oregon State Parks Add a Surcharge to Out-of-State Camping Reservations to Offset Losses

Published 08/18/2020 at 10:43 PM PDT
By OREGON TRAVEL DAILY STAFF

(Salem, Oregon) – Those coming to Oregon to do some camping will find things a little more expensive. Due to severe budget shortfalls, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) recently added a surcharge for nonresidents when they make new camping reservations, which first-come, first-serve campers. (Above: Silver Falls State Park)

The new cost applies to out-of-state residents only, and does not include campsite reservations made before the price increase, which took effect August 10. All OPRD campsites are effected, including those on the Oregon coast, southern Oregon, central Oregon, Columbia Gorge and Eastern Oregon.

Prior reservations are not effected, and neither are Oregon residents.

OPRD said it is implementing this to provide funding and to encourage local recreation rather than travel between states.

For out-of-state campers, it’s expected to add up to 30 percent to the nightly cost for sleeping outdoors. Including lodging tax, the average cost for a full-service RV site is currently $33 per night, and starting August 10, will increase to an average of $42 for nonresidents making new reservations, or arriving without a reservation. The average tent rate is currently $19 per night and will increase to $23 for nonresidents.

OPRD said the cost hike will remain for the rest of the year, and in the fall Oregon officials will re-examine the rate.

“We love serving all people, no matter where they live,” says Lisa Sumption, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director. “Even so, this temporary change is needed to remind people to stay as close to home as possible while enjoying the outdoors, and to provide much-needed support for the Oregon state park system, which faces a projected $22 million shortfall between now and June 2021.”

Part of the idea is to encourage out-of-state residents to recreate closer to home, an aspect of tourism state health officials say may be contributing to the spread of COVID in Oregon. Primarily, OPRD believes the surcharge could also generate up to half a million dollars through the end of the year. This could fund the hiring of some staff and pay for cleaning supplies as well as other park operations.

For more information, visit https://stateparks.oregon.gov.