Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
725 Summer St NE, Suite C
Salem OR 97301
Where can I buy or replace an annual day-use pass?
Day-use passes, which are needed at 26 parks, are available by phone at (800) 551-6949, from G.I. Joes sporting goods stores in Oregon, and from state park offices around the state.
Sold your car or replaced your windshield and need to replace your pass?
If possible, remove the existing decal from the vehicle and take it and your white customer copy of the permit to any OPRD location that sells day-use permits to obtain a duplicate/replacement. Only state park staff can issue a duplicate/replacement day-use permit.
What do I need to do to hold an event in a park or on the beach?
Call the nearest park or region office as soon as possible to discuss your event plans. Depending on the event, an OPRD Miscellaneous Park Use Permit for Non-Traditional Activities may be required. “Miscellaneous use permits” are required for nontraditional activities in parks and on ocean beaches. A "non-traditional park activity" is an activity, gathering or use of OPRD properties, ocean shore or other recreational area that is not defined in park area rules and regulations. Some examples are:
group gatherings such as weddings, company picnics, tournaments, and contests;
commercial filming;
short/long-term rental of property and structures;
construction activities and placement of utilities;
educational and scientific projects;
selling of goods and services by vendors, concessionaires and other businesses.
Fees: $100. A daily permit fee is also charged, based on the activity and number of participants.
Insurance Requirements: Liability insurance for the term of the permit is required. Evidence of insurance through certificate or policy is required.
To apply for a permit:
North Coast Region
(541) 265-8179
401 SW 9th Street
Newport 97365
Columbia/Willamette Region
(503) 731-3293
2501 SW 1st Ave., Suite 100
Portland 97201
Southwest Region including the south coast
(541) 888-3778
89814 Cape Argo Hwy.
Coos Bay 97420
East of the Cascades Region
(541) 388-6211
1645 NE Forbes Rd Suite 112
Bend 97701
OPRD Headquarters
(503) 986-0707
725 Summer St. NE
Salem 97301
Can I bring pets to a park? What about horses/pack animals?
Yes. Pets must be confined by the owner, or on a leash not more than six (6) feet long, and kept under physical control at all times. You´re responsible for removal of all waste and for keeping your pet quiet during campground quiet hours (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Pets are not allowed in yurts, cabins, tepees or camper wagons, or on the Canyon Trail at Silver Falls.
Saddle horses or other animals are prohibited in all park areas, except on such roads, trails or other areas designated for that purpose.
There are three considerations to take into account when you walk your pet on Oregon beaches.
Beaches that are within the boundaries of an Oregon state park must have all pets on a leash not more than six feet long and kept under physical control at all times. (OAR 736-010-0030)
If you are on a beach outside of the boundaries of an Oregon state park, Ocean Shore rules apply. Ocean Shore OAR 736-21-0070 states "the owner of any dog, cat, or other animal brought into or kept in the ocean shore recreation area shall be responsible for the animal's behavior and physical control while in the ocean shore recreation area." Leashes are not specifically required, but physical control must be maintained.
Where beaches have been designated Western Snowy Plover nesting sites or wildlife habitat areas, all beach pedestrians must stay on the wet sand and all pets must remain on a six foot leash and kept under physical control. Pet control in wildlife habitat areas apply to both Oregon State Park and Ocean Shore areas. Designated areas are well signed to warn beach visitors of wildlife habitat areas.
Can I collect plants, minerals or animals in a park?
Plant life and natural resources may not be picked, cut, removed or mutilated.
What are the rules about noise?
Use or operation of noise-producing devices, vehicles, address systems or instruments in a manner disturbing to other visitors is prohibited. Campground quiet hours are from 10:00 pm - 7:00 am.
Can I bring fireworks into a park?
Our rules are clear-cut. No person shall use or possess any explosives, fireworks or other substances that could cause harm to persons or resources.
Can I use my metal detector in a park?
Metal detecting may or may not be allowed, depending on the park. It's always best to call the park to check whether you can use your metal detector. If metal detecting is allowed, you'll need a permit, which is available directly from the park where you wish to use your metal detector. Some parks are unstaffed, so to locate the closest park office to the park you're interested in, call 1-800-551-6949, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
When can I visit a park?
Most parks post hours at the entrance, and day-use parks are generally open from dawn to dusk. No person, other than authorized personnel, shall enter or remain in any park area between daily closing and opening times as posted.
What about alcohol in parks?
Possession or use of an alcoholic beverage(s) by any person under 21 years of age is prohibited.
What are the rules on how many vehicles and people per campsite
Usually, a maximum of eight campers are allowed per site (though there are sites that only permit 6 people per site). Yurts and cabins hold five to eight people, depending on location.
Some campgrounds can accommodate extra vehicles at each campsite. Some only allow parking of extra vehicles in overflow areas. Check with campground staff before you park an extra vehicle at your site. There is a $5 extra vehicle fee for campers. What's an extra vehicle? In addition to the car or RV you drive into the park, you may tow one additional car or truck at no charge. If you drive an additional vehicle, the $5 fee kicks in.
Where can I build a campfire?
Campfires are only permitted in fire rings or fireplaces provided for such purposes and portions of the beach designated as permissible for fires. No fires shall be left unattended or be permitted to cause damage to park facilities or areas. Portable stoves may be used only in established campsites, picnic areas, and designated beaches where fires are permitted. Users must fully extinguish fires before leaving park.
Can I dig for artifacts and fossils in a park?
According to state rules, no person shall dig up, deface or remove any soil, rock, historical or fossil materials, or Native American artifacts or burials.
What about hunting?
No person shall hunt, pursue, trap, kill, injure, or molest any wildlife or disturb their habitats. In special park areas where hunting is permitted, the rules and regulations of the State Department of Fish and Wildlife will apply to hunting and fishing.
How do I make or cancel a reservation?
Reservations are accepted year-round at 24 campgrounds around the state. You can make reservations as far in advance as 9 months, or as few as 2 days before your stay. When you make a reservation, you must pay a deposit equal to the fee for the first night of camping (this is counted toward your total bill) plus a nonrefundable $6 reservation deposit. Reservations may be made online with a credit card, or by calling 1-800-452-5687 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer).
Who can reserve and rent a campsite?
You must be 18 years old or older to reserve or register campsites, cabins, yurts or other overnight facilities. The registered camper is responsible for the activities of all users at the site.
Cancelling a Reservation
The Reservation and transaction fees are non-refundable. No exceptions.
Campsite, rustic yurt, rustic cabin, tepee, or boat moorage: If you cancel within 3 calendar days of your arrival date, OPRD retains your reservation fee, transaction fee (if any) and first night’s use fee.
Deluxe yurts, deluxe cabins, day-use/picnic shelters, group camps, youth camps, ranches, horse camps: If you cancel within one month to the day of your exact arrival date, OPRD will retain your reservation fee, transaction fee (if any) and first night/day use fee.
If your arrival date is today or tomorrow, you must call the park where you have reserved; the phone number is listed on the front of your confirmation letter. If your arrival date is after today or tomorrow, please call Reservations Northwest: Portland Metro Area, 503-731-3411, or outside Portland, 800-452-5687. Cancellation requests can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the automated voicemail system or via email at OPRD.Reservation@state.or.us.
When your reservation is cancelled via e-mail, you will receive a confirmation e-mail in return. If you do not receive an e-mail, we have not received your request and you will need to contact Reservations Northwest at one of the phone numbers listed above. E-mails are processed daily, Monday through Friday.
If you paid by Visa or MasterCard, you will receive a credit to your card. If you paid by check, you will receive a check in the mail from the State of Oregon.
Please be aware that only the person whose name is on the reservation may change or cancel the reservation.
What are the campsite types and lengths, how are they equipped?
There are six basic types of campsites:
Full hookup sites – sewer, electricity and water; paved parking area adjacent to site.
Electrical sites – electricity and water; paved parking adjacent to site.
Tent sites – no utilities, but water at or near the site; paved parking adjacent to site.
Primitive sites – no hookups; one water source may serve multiple sites in natural, cleared setting; no paved parking at most sites. Showers may be available in another area of a campground having other types of sites or at another nearby park.
Hiker-biker sites – no utilities; open space or other area set aside for people who bicycle or walk into a park. No space available to park vehicles.
Horse sites – no utilities; corrals nearby for horses (single, double, or quad units, depending on campground).
Each camp has a picnic table, fire ring or campstove. Occupants of full hookup, electrical and tent sites have access to showers.
Length of Campsites
Most Oregon State Parks can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet in length, but site lengths vary greatly, even within the same park. Also remember that you must also be able to fit your tow vehicle onto the campsite. For example, if your recreational vehicle is 25 feet long and you are towing it with a Ford F250 (or similar vehicle: average length about 22 feet), you will need a site at least 47 feet long. Check with Reservations Northwest or the Parks and Heritage Guide for more information. Also, online park maps show the length of each campsite. The park map links are found on the individual park pages. List of all parks with campgrounds.
What are check-in/check-out times and maximum length of stay?
Check-in for campsites, yurts, cabins, tepees and camper wagons is 4 p.m. Check-out is 1 p.m.
You can stay 14 consecutive days in a single campground, and may return after spending at least three days out of the park (it can be another state park campground; in fact, we recommend you DO select another state park campground). The maximum time allowed within any Oregon State Park is 14 days within any 17 day period.
Campground rates drop $4 a night across the state between October 1 and April 30 every year. Beautiful weather, relaxing atmosphere, solitude, lower fees ... no wonder people look to fall and spring for their vacations!
Our rules are clear-cut. No person shall use or possess any explosives, fireworks or other substances that could cause harm to persons or resources.