More Changes Coming to Oregon State Parks Rates, Rules, Special Access Passes

Published 03/05/26 at 5:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Salem, Oregon) - The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved a large range of rule changes and grant awards during its Feb. 24, 2026 virtual meeting. Quite a few aspects of Oregon's state parks (including those on the coast) underwent some change or another, including updates to reservation policies, special access passes and rate ranges that will take effect in April.(Cape Lookout - Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

The revised rules will overhaul cancellation and refund procedures and narrow eligibility for special access passes. These are a part of state rules 736-015-0006 through 736-015-0043,

Changes include:

Cancellation Policy: No refunds on the day of arrival. No-show reservations will not be refunded. Refunds depend on how long the reservation was held and how close to arrival it is canceled.

Special Access Pass: These are for veterans with service-connected disability. Now, new passes will be available only to Oregon residents. They include Free Day Use parking year-round and Four free camping nights per calendar month.

Other items:

Updates reservation rate ranges to reflect future costs. Ranges set only the minimum and maximum allowed amounts, not the actual prices visitors will pay. Actual rates may remain stable or change gradually and may use demand-based pricing. Ranges allow the director to adjust rates within approved limits to address inflation and operational needs.

State Parks Day will offer free parking for Oregon residents.

Campers with existing June 6, 2026 reservations will continue to have fees waived. Language updated to allow license plate input instead of printed tags.

A vote on rules governing unmanned aircraft systems in parks and on the ocean shore / Oregon coast was postponed until April.

All-Terrain Vehicle Program: 15 grants totaling $1,402,458.

County Opportunity Grant Program: 9 grants totaling $2,171,547.

Additional actions included acknowledgment of a donation from Fastap Screw Company, adding Ewuana Flats to the State Natural Areas Program, and authorizing construction contracts for Lake Owyhee and Cape Lookout on the north Oregon coast.

“This was the first meeting for Commissioner Chane Griggs. Commissioner Griggs represents congressional district six,” the agency said. “She is active in the Salem community and retired from a career with the state of Oregon. Commissioner Griggs enjoys camping with her family, including many spring break trips tent camping at Wallowa Lake State Park when her children were younger.”

The next commission meeting will be held virtually on April 22, 2026. Recordings of past meetings are available at https://bit.ly/oprdlive, with supporting documents posted on the commission webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/ CAC/Pages/CAC-oprc.aspx.

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