Abrupt Change for N. Oregon Coast Parks: Tillamook County Raises Camping Fees

Published 01/15/25 at 6:35 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Tillamook, Oregon) – Just after camping price hikes went into effect at Oregon state parks, Tillamook County will be soon raising its prices for camping in all county parks. (Photos Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

According to the Tillamook Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and Tillamook County Parks Department (TCPD), on January 8 the board voted unanimously to approve fee increases for camping in that part of the north Oregon coast, including tents, RV sites and cabin rentals. Just as with Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), the cost of maintenance has gone up in recent years, with refuse management, utilities and county budget deficits cited as reasons for the county increase.

County parks are not funded by local taxes, TCPD said.

“Tillamook County Parks is a self-funded (user fee based) government agency and does not derive any revenue from property taxes,” TCPD said. “Like many of the campgrounds on the Oregon coast, the Tillamook County Parks system continues to experience record visitation as well as impacts of rising costs and inflation.”

The new fees start February 1. The county said it has not raised prices in years, in spite of heavy demand.

All prices go up by $5 (most base fees are about $44 right now). The steepest increase may be the discontinuation of off-season rates, which has taken place October 1 through April 30. That discount is gone.

There is also a similar $5 increase for for cabins and mini mobiles.

“While Tillamook County Parks strives to keep costs and fees as low as possible, decisions to raise fees are made of necessity and are based on facts and metrics,” TCPD said.

There is one snippet of good news in this review of prices. BOCC also changed the annual day use access passes to being valid for one year from the date of purchase. Prior to these changes, passes were only valid to the end of the calendar year.

“Tillamook County Parks will continue to explore options in the future that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain our parks and manage the growing demand,” TCPD said.

Late last year, OPRD raised camping prices starting this year, the first such hike in 15 years. Fees went up $2 to $5 higher, depending on the park – which included all Oregon coast campground under the state's banner. OPRD cited the example of utility costs rising by 28% over the last four years, among other aspects. All Oregon State Parks See Fee Hikes Soon, Including the Coast

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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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