Oregon State Parks See Record Visits, Especially on the Coast

Published 03/16/25 at 5:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Salem, Oregon) – State parks in Oregon set a new record last year. Oregon State Parks said it welcomed an estimated 53.85 million day-use visits in 2024, setting a new record and surpassing the previous high in 2021 by approximately 200,000 visits. (Above: Ecola State Park at Cannon Beach is one of the state's biggest attractions. Oregon Coast Beach Connection photo.)

Day-use of parks – especially on the Oregon coast – bumped up by three percent, as more visitors sought out beaches than ever before. Other regions saw slight decreases.

“Visitors also logged 2.83 million camper nights, which is down slightly due in part to construction closures at popular state parks including Beverly Beach, Bullards Beach and Nehalem Bay state parks,” Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) said. [See the Note on Methodology below]

This milestone continues a trend of record-breaking attendance across the state’s park system. However, the growing popularity comes with challenges, including increased operational costs and wear on aging infrastructure.

During peak camping season, Oregon State Parks accommodate as many as 17,000 overnight campers per night - essentially managing the daily movement of a community the size of Canby in and out of campgrounds.

Fun fact: Lincoln City, as large as it is, has only two state parks with the D River access and Roads End.

Another example: some of the busiest parks consume nearly a semi-truck load of toilet paper annually. Additionally, more than one-third of restroom facilities are over 50 years old, requiring extensive maintenance due to heavy use. Replacing a single restroom or shower building now exceeds $1 million.

Despite the increased visitation, the costs of operations and maintenance have outpaced revenue by over 30%. To address this, Oregon State Parks raised visitor fees this year and plans to continue evaluating fee structures over the next two years in an effort to close the budget gap.

“Raising fees is not a long-term solution,” said Lisa Sumption, Director of Oregon State Parks. “We need to have a broader conversation about what Oregonians envision for the future of our state parks and how we can ensure sustainable funding for future generations.”

Cape Blanco State Park on the south Oregon coast is a true standout: the headland near Port Orford is the farthest west you can go in Oregon.

Unlike many public services, Oregon State Parks does not receive general fund tax dollars for operations. The system relies on revenue from recreational vehicle fees, the state lottery, and visitor services.

The surge in visitation also highlights the need for additional staff. In response, Oregon State Parks launched its 2025 seasonal hiring campaign last month, aiming to recruit over 200 seasonal rangers and assistants statewide to ensure parks remain clean, safe, and enjoyable for all visitors.

Nehalem Bay State Park

Park rangers and staff work tirelessly to maintain the parks while providing educational and recreational programs. Visitors can help reduce the impact by following park rules, staying on designated trails, and practicing “leave no trace” principles. Exploring lesser-known parks in the system is another way to discover new outdoor adventures while easing congestion at popular destinations.

Note on Stats Methodology:

OPRD said the overnight camping figure is derived by taking the total number occupied sites and applying a multiplier to estimate the number of camper nights. The day-use figure is derived by taking car counts and applying a multiplier to estimate the number of visits. Car counters sometimes require maintenance and replacement, which can impact individual numbers. The overall results are OPRD’s best estimate for tracking trends over time.

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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