For the first time in 13 years, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is proposing to raise state park camping and day-use fees. Public comment on the proposal is open through Wednesday, Sept. 23.

In 1996, state park visitors provided nearly three-quarters of the funds needed to keep state park campgrounds and day-use areas operating. As costs have increased, the visitor’s share has slipped year after year, and recreational vehicle registrations and the Oregon Lottery have filled in the gap. Today, visitors account for slightly more than half of the funds needed to operate state parks.

To bring state park rates back closer to the market and fund ongoing park operations, the Department is proposing raising the day-use fee from $3 to $5 a day per vehicle, and camping by $4 a night per site (from $16-20 to $20-24). Other accommodations also would increase.

Comparable private and public campsites outside the state park system fetch $30 or more. Under the new rules, the 12-month and 24-month day-use passes would be transferrable to different vehicles for the first time. In the past, visitors needed to purchase a separate pass for each of their vehicles.

“The state park visitor is the heart and soul of the state park system,” said Tim Wood, Director of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. “Visitor revenue is invested right back into the park system to provide quality camping, trails and fun nature and history programs.”

Oregon’s state parks attract 2.3 million campers and 42 million day visitors every year, consistently ranking in the nation’s top 10 state park systems.

“We work hard to operate efficiently and keep our costs down,” says John Potter, Assistant Director for Operations. “State parks remain one of the most affordable, quality ways to enjoy an outdoors vacation close to home.”