Oregon State Parks annual passes doubling in price in 2026

If you haven’t bought your annual park passes for 2026, now is the time to do it because state park fees are going up in price.

From local state parks to federal public lands, annual passes have been getting more expensive, as agencies seek more revenue for recreation areas. Some of those increases will take effect Jan. 1.

Most outdoor recreation areas in the Pacific Northwest require a parking pass of some kind. While some passes are sold at trailheads and parking lots, others must be purchased in advance. For those who go outside regularly, annual passes are a way to pay in advance for the year — and possibly save money in the long run.

Here’s what to know about the price increases for outdoor recreation passes in 2026:

• Oregon state park passes will double in price Jan. 1, increasing from $30 to $60 for a one-year pass. That cost will be even higher for nonresidents, who will pay $75 with the new out-of-state surcharge. Additionally, two-year passes will no longer be sold after Jan. 1 but passes purchased before the new year will continue to be honored until they expire. The price increase is part of sweeping changesto camping and day-use fees at state parks, as the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department seeks to fill a looming budget shortfall.
• Washington State Parks already increased the price of its annual Discover Pass, with the cost going up from $30 to $45 starting Oct. 1, 2025. It was the first price increase since the program began in 2011.
• There is no change in price for the $80 America the Beautiful Pass, a one-year pass that’s good for all federal public lands — as long as you’re a U.S. resident. Starting Jan. 1, nonresidents will have to pay $250 for the same pass, as part of the Trump Administration’s new “America-first” pricing model.

— Jamie Hale/The Oregonian/OregonLive