By Oregon Public Broadcasting and YachatsNews
Oregon State Parks is proposing an increased rate range for the use of campsites and other facilities starting in 2025. But fees won’t be increasing substantially anytime soon.
The parks department’s current range limit for fees is $40 per night for RVs, for example. And at a current rate of about $33 per night, the agency doesn’t have a lot of space to raise rates before hitting that limit. The proposal would increase the range limit to $52.
Oregon State Parks spokesman Chris Havel said the increase will give the department “breathing room” for increases, but won’t increase the raises in incremental fees.
“Next year, when we want to go up a buck, can we? Yep, plenty of room in the range,” he said. “And we can keep doing that for several years before we have to come back and amend the range again.”
Ranges will vary based on campsite type, extra amenities and group facility types. And out-of-state campers will have to pay 25 percent more.
The basis for this added cost comes from the agency’s funding sources: One-third of funding comes from park visitor fees, and another 16 percent comes from license plate registrations.
“If you don’t license your vehicle in Oregon, the only money you put into the state park system is what you pay when you show up,” Havel said. “So putting a surcharge on (out-of-state) RV sites balances that, and provides the revenue needed to keep the system open and operating.”
Once rate ranges are adopted into rule, the state parks director has authority to adjust fees based on visitation patterns, increased costs and seasonal fluctuations up to four times per year, such as offering discounts during the fall and winter seasons.
Some of the proposed changes to the current rate ranges, as well as the current rate for different types of sites and facilities:
Campsite w/full hook-ups: Current rate: $33; Current range: $26-$40; Proposed new range: $33-$52; Proposed new range for out-of-state campers: $41.25-$65.
Campsite w/electrical hook-up: Current rate: $31; Current range: $24-$38; Proposed range: $31-$49; Proposed range for out-of-state campers: $37.75-$61.75.
Tent site: Current rate: $21; Current range: $17-$22; Proposed range: $21-$29; Proposed range for out-of-state campers: $26.25-$36.25.
Primitive site: Current rate: $10; Current range: $10-$15; Proposed range: $10-$25; Proposed range for out-of-state campers: $12.50-$31.25.
Rustic yurt: Current rate: $52; Current range: $42-$62; Proposed range: $52-$72; Proposed range for out-of-state campers: $65-$90
Deluxe yurt: Current rate: $86; Current range: $81-$99; Proposed range: $86-$129; Proposed range for out-of-state campers: $107.50-$161.25.
Cabin-totem: Current rate: $26; Current range: $26-$46; Proposed range: $26-$60; Proposed range for out-of-state campers: $32.50-$75.
Cabin-rustic: Current rate: $52; Current range: $42-$62; Proposed range: $52-$81; Proposed range for out-of-state campers: $65-$101.25
Cabin-mini (new category): Current rate: $42; Current range: $42-$62; Proposed range: $52-$100; Proposed range for out-of-state campers: $65-$125.
Cabin-deluxe: Current rate: $91; Current range: $81-$99; Proposed range: $91-$129; Proposed range for out-of-state campers: $113.75-$161.25.
Tepee: Current rate: $42; Current range: $42-$62; Proposed range: $42-$81; Proposed range for out-of-state campers: $52.50-$101.25
Hiker/boater/bicycle site: Current rate: $7; Current range: $7-$12 per camper; Proposed range: $7-$16
Public comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted through 5 p.m. Aug. 30, and can be submitted in multiple ways:
- Online: Go here
- Mail: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite C, Salem, OR 97301.
- Email: Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov.
Three hearings will be held for the public to provide comments.
Virtual hearing
- July 31, 5:30 p.m. Register to attend the hearing at at/oBEwY
In-person hearings
- 6, 5:30 p.m., Nehalem Bay State Park Meeting Hall, 34600 Garey St., Nehalem.
- 13, 5:30 p.m., North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE, Salem. Must arrive by 6 p.m. to testify.
The department also is seeking feedback via a short survey about opinions on camping facilities and programs that can be taken during the public comment period: shorturl.at/8NII6.
Once the public comment period ends, the proposal with any incorporated updates is slated to go to Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission in September or November for possible adoption.
