What To Expect When Visiting Oregon’s State Parks In 2027 - 11/09/26

SALEM, Ore. – As this year comes to a close, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is looking back on 2026 and planning for the 2027 season.

OPRD welcomed millions of visitors this year to its state parks, including 2.2 million camping nights so far this year. Park rangers were on the ground welcoming visitors, cleaning restrooms, hosting hikes and star parties, and addressing hundreds of trail, utility, and other maintenance issues that arose throughout the year.

This year also came with some significant changes to OPRD’s fees as the agency successfully closed a $14 million funding gap for the 2025-2027 biennium. Some of the fees had not been updated in 15 years.

“These changes, while hard, were absolutely necessary and they prevented us from closing parks,” said OPRD director Lisa Sumption. “We fixed our budget in the short-term, and now we are turning our attention toward long-term solutions that do not put the burden solely on our visitors.”

Staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors for the 2027 season. To help visitors enjoy Oregon’s more than 250 state park areas and know what to expect next year, see the following updates.

Fall/Winter 2026:

• OPRD refreshed its online store, offering new ways to remember your favorite Oregon State Parks visit.
• OPRD and State Library of Oregon made 200 parking permits available at 82 libraries across the state and will be evaluating opportunities to expand the Library Pass Program.
• Weatherization of parks closed over the winter months.
• Update reservation website to show the site fee per day when selecting available camping dates.
• New Spot Watch feature provides more detailed notification options via text or email. You can set up a notification that includes multiple parks, lodging types, and date ranges.
• Begin low-season park improvement projects, like those happening at Cape Lookout State Park, Silver Falls State Park and Smith Rock State Park.
• Following the new dump station fee implemented at 18 state parks, the agency is evaluating whether additional parks have the technology and site conditions to make implementation practical.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027

• First Day Hikes: Guided hikes at select parks on Jan. 1.
• The Transient Lodging Tax set by the Oregon Tourism Commission will increase from 1.5% to 2.75% and effects all OPRD overnight reservations. OPRD does not receive funds collected from this tax.
• Physical 12-month parking permits – the hang tags – will only be sold online and will cost $10 more to account for printing and handling fees. Digital 12-month parking permits will still cost $60 for Oregon residents and $75 for non-residents.
• Jessie M. Honeyman State Park will close for several months starting in January for utility and hazard tree removal work.

Spring 2027

• Park cleanup, repair and reopening after assessing any damage or issues that arose after the winter season.
• Rate increases to reservable day-use facilities (amphitheater, group day use, meeting hall, pavilion and picnic shelter), yurts and cabins take effect May 1. Increases will be about 5% to account for inflation in utility, supplies and staffing costs.
• Hire for seasonal staff.

OPRD is making substantially fewer fee changes in 2027. Addressing large maintenance projects that are overdue, often referred to as deferred maintenance, is the primary issue. If put off for too long, the issues can become persistent and cause service disruptions or closures to campgrounds.

The agency does not receive general fund tax revenue, and fees alone will not be able to address deferred maintenance. OPRD has been and will continue to focus on long-term funding solutions that can meet the scale of the deferred maintenance need.

Visit the website for more information.

Grants Available For Veterans And War Memorials - 11/09/26

Oregon Heritage of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is offering grants for the construction or restoration of veterans and war memorials throughout Oregon. 

The grant application period is open now and closes February 14, 2027. 

Local and regional governments and federally recognized Tribes are eligible to apply for funding for monuments placed on publicly owned properties.  Grants may fund up to 80 percent of projects and require a 20 percent match from grant recipients.

New monuments should acknowledge veterans and/or wars not already recognized in the community.  Restoration projects may address broken monuments, missing elements, and/or additions to existing monuments.

Proposals must demonstrate active participation of a veteran organization and community support.

A free online workshop about the grant program will be held December 3, 2026; 9-10:30 a.m. via Zoom.  Registration is required.

For more information about the Veterans and War Memorials grant and other grant programs, visit www.oregonheritage.org.  Or contact Karen Litvin at Karen.Litvin@oprd.oregon.gov or 971-720-0852.

Oregon Main Street Opens Applications To Join Statewide Network (Photo) - 11/06/26

SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Main Street (OMS) is now accepting applications for organizations to join at the Designated Main Street or the Affiliated Main Street level of the Oregon Main Street Network. This application round is for organizations who demonstrate the readiness and capacity to implement a comprehensive downtown improvement effort based on the nationally recognized Main Street Approach™.

Applications can be found on our website at www.oregonmainstreet under the “How to Join” dropdown. OMS will host a virtual application workshop on November 12th, from 1:00pm to 4:00 pm. The workshop covers some of the requirements to participate at these tiers and provide tips on completing the application. Participants must register in advance click here.

The Designated Main Street level is a mark of distinction that reflects a demonstrated effort to building, growing, and sustaining a main street organization to support efforts to improve a community’s historic downtown by leveraging partnerships and engaging community members. Organizations participating at this level have a high degree of commitment to using the nationally recognized place-based Main Street Approach™ methodology to create lasting impact in enhancing their historic downtowns.

The Affiliated Main Street level is for communities who are either just starting to form, or are working on strengthening their Main Street structure to harness the powerful main street methodology to create lasting impact in enhancing their historic downtown or traditional commercial neighborhood.

Affiliated Main Street and Designated Main Street level communities must have a cohesive core of historic or older commercial and mixed-use buildings that represent the community’s architectural heritage and may include compatible in-fill. They must also have a sufficient mass of businesses, buildings, and density to be effective, as well as be a compact and pedestrian-oriented district.

The primary emphasis of joining at the Affiliated Main Street and Designated Main Street levels is the provided technical assistance from Oregon Main Street to help strengthen revitalization efforts.  Acceptance at these levels allows communities to participate in training, program evaluations, technical assistance, and receive local capacity building support. Participating in the Oregon Main Street program is free.

The selection process included submitting an application that describes their district, previous efforts to improve downtown, readiness to implement the Main Street Approach™, board development efforts, in addition to other criteria. 

Currently, there are more than 100 communities in Oregon participating in one of the four levels of the Oregon Main Street Network: Accredited Main Street, Designated Main Street, Affiliated Main Street, and Connected Communities. The Connected Communities application is the baseline engagement to our program and is open year-round. The OMS Accredited Main Street designation is achieved by attaining Main Street America™ national accreditation status.

Oregon Main Street is part of Oregon Heritage in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Seeking Volunteers To Serve On The Land And Water Conservation Fund Grants Advisory Committee - 11/05/26

Applications due by Nov. 30

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking volunteers to serve on the Land and Water Conservation Fund grants advisory committee, also known as the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee. This nine-member grant advisory committee evaluates public outdoor recreation grant proposals submitted to OPRD for funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The open positions include:

• A member representing the disabilities community
• A member representing cities over 15,000 population
• A member representing counties east of the Cascades

Note: Candidates for the positions representing cities and counties must be professionally affiliated with a city, either through employment or in another professional capacity. OPRD will coordinate with organizations, including the Oregon Recreation and Park Association and the League of Oregon Cities, and the Association of Oregon Counties to designate nominees for these positions.

Those interested in serving must submit an interest form by Nov. 30, 2026.

OPRD will review the interest forms and follow up with potential members for informal interviews. Committee appointments are subject to confirmation by the OPRD director. Committee members serve four-year terms and may be reappointed for a second consecutive term.

Candidate qualities

Ideal candidates may reside anywhere in Oregon and bring experience in at least one of the following areas: public recreation provider, recreation planning or design, recreation-focused volunteerism, or lived experience that uniquely qualifies them to evaluate recreation project proposals. Strong candidates may also demonstrate an awareness of statewide recreation needs, broad recreation issues, and the importance of advancing equitable, inclusive, and accessible recreation opportunities.

Committee member responsibilities

The committee typically meets for a one- to two-day meeting in Salem to review proposals and hear applicant presentations before making funding recommendations to OPRD. Committee members may attend virtually.

Optional project site visits and additional meetings may be scheduled as needed. Time commitment varies and includes independently reviewing and evaluating an average of 15-20 applications prior to the grant meeting, which requires access to a personal computer and internet. State-mandated annual training is also required, generally taking only a few hours per year.

About the grant program

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program is a competitive grant program funded by the National Park Service and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Grants are awarded to local governments, federally recognized tribal governments and eligible state agencies for land acquisition, development and rehabilitation projects for public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

For more information about the advisory committee or application process, contact Nohemi Enciso, LWCF Program Coordinator, at nohemi.enciso@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-480-9092.

Oregon State Parks And Recreation Commission To Meet Nov. 17-18 - 11/04/26

SALEM, Oregon—The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene Nov. 17-18 in Newport.

On Nov. 17, commissioners will tour Beverly Beach State Park and hold a work session from 1:00 to 4 p.m. providing background on recreation grant programs and impacts of park user fees.

On Nov. 18, commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:30 a.m. to discuss acquisition priorities and opportunities, and potential litigation. The Executive Session will be held pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e) and (h) and is closed to the public.

A business meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Beverly Beach State Park Meeting Yurt, 198 NE 123th Street in Newport. The business meeting is open to the public. All public commission meetings are streamed live to YouTube.

Anyone may attend or listen to the business meeting; instructions on how to listen will be posted on the commission web page prior to the meeting.The business meeting includes time for informal public comment not related to items on the agenda.

Registration is required to speak during the informal public comment portion. Register online by 5 p.m. on Nov. 16 to speak at the virtual meeting. Time per speaker is limited to three minutes. Please submit written public comments by 5 p.m. Nov. 16 to OPRCpubliccomment@oprd.oregon.gov.  

The full agenda and supporting documents are posted on the commission web page. Notable requests:

• Update on acquisition and management of Abiqua Falls properties.
• Request to approve intergovernmental agreement for fire protection.
• Request to approve local government grant recommendations .
• Request to approve name of the Tryon Creek Education Pavilion.

Anyone needing special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Jayme Jones, commission assistant, at least three days in advance at jayme.jones@oprd.oregon.gov or 971-707-2175.

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year at locations across the state.

Public Meeting To Discuss Dike At Sitka Sedge State Natural Area - 11/04/26

PACIFIC CITY, Ore. — Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will host its last virtual townhall meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 by Zoom webinar to discuss the proposed tidal wetland restoration and community resiliency project at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area.

OPRD and project partner, Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, are designing a tidal wetland and fish habitat restoration project at the natural area that includes a proposed setback dike to replace the tide control function of the existing dike, which has been failing.

The proposed project is designed to help protect nearby public and private infrastructure and improve long-term management of the natural area while supporting the ecological health of the estuary and restoring fish passage to its tributary streams. By moving the dike further inland, the project would create more room for natural coastal processes and help the site and its surroundings better adapt to future changes including sea level rise.

This informational meeting will include a presentation and time for questions. 

Join the webinar or find a recording online afterward at OPRD’s YouTube channel.

Special accommodations may be arranged up to 72 hours in advance to improve accessibility by emailing noel.bacheller@oprd.oregon.gov. 

Visit the website to learn more about the project, including a fact page on the right-hand side. 

National Park Service Lists Pass Creek Covered Bridge In The National Register Of Historic Places (Photo) - 10/30/26

DRAIN, Oregon – The Pass Creek Covered Bridge in Drain, Douglas County, is among Oregon’s newest entries in the National Register of Historic Places. Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation recommended the nomination for the bridge at its June 2026 meeting. The bridge was originally constructed in 1925, but in 1987, it was dismantled and later reassembled downstream of its original location. The National Park Service (NPS), which maintains the National Register, accepted the nomination in October 2026, for its statewide significance in the area of Engineering.
 

Located in Drain’s Civic Center Park, the Pass Creek Covered Bridge is an excellent representation of Oregon’s historic covered bridge-building tradition. Once there were an estimated 450 timber-truss covered bridges in Oregon, but as of 2026 there is no more than 50 remaining. The bridge exemplifies the engineering practice of enclosing timber trusses on bridges to protect their structural members from the damp Pacific Northwest climate. Pass Creek Covered Bridge served vehicular traffic for nearly six decades before it was replaced by a concrete span. Following its relocation, Pass Creek Covered Bridge functioned as a pedestrian and bicycle crossing for many years. The bridge has been closed since 2014 due to condition issues, but it remains a prominent community landmark.

The National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Properties listed in the National Register are:

• Recognized as significant to the nation, state, or community;

• Considered in the planning of federal or federally assisted projects;

• Eligible for certain federal and state tax benefits;

• Qualified for historic preservation grants when funds are available;

• Eligible for leniency in meeting certain building code requirements;

• Subject to local laws pertaining to the conservation and protection of historic resources.
   

State law in Oregon requires local governments to offer a minimal level of protection for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places; decisions about how to accomplish that goal reside with local governments, which also have the authority to create and regulate local historic districts and landmarks.
 

Visit the National Register program webpage at: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/pages/national-register.aspx to explore listed properties, review eligibility criteria and the nomination timeline, access research tools, and those interested in seeing if their property is eligible can submit a Historic Resource Record (HRR) form to receive preliminary feedback from State Historic Preservation Office staff.

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ATV Advisory Committee Meets Nov. 4 In Salem - 10/21/26

Salem, Ore. — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Advisory Committee will meet Nov. 4 to review online and hands-on training stats, incident reporting, legislative updates and other ATV Program updates.

This will be a hybrid meeting with options to attend in person or via Zoom webinar – details below. The public can join as attendees. In the event that an in-person meeting is no longer feasible, the meeting will just be held on Zoom.

The ATV Advisory Committee meeting will begin at 9 a.m. The agenda and schedule are posted online.

Meeting details

Join in person

Best Western Mill Creek Inn

3125 Ryan Dr SE,

Salem, OR 97301

Join virtually via Zoom

Join Zoom webinar

Webinar ID: 844 9135 5047

Passcode: 120548

Join via audio only: 253-215-8782

Special accommodations may be arranged up to 72 hours in advance to improve accessibility by emailing ian.caldwell@oprd.oregon.gov. 

The ATV Grant Program provides funding statewide for ATV recreation. Grant funds come from ATV user permit sales and a percentage of gasoline tax money. Read more about the state ATV program.

Temporary Closures At Humbug Mountain State Park And Cape Blanco State Park - 10/17/26

Update: Humbug Mountain Trail construction delayed. Construction will now start Oct. 26.
 

Trails will be closed starting mid- and late October.

Port Orford, Ore. – Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is conducting several land and forest management projects in October. This is a regular part of OPRD’s stewardship and supports healthy ecosystems.

Check the park pages linked below for updates.

Humbug Mountain State Park

Humbug Mountain Trail will be closed for about two weeks starting Monday, Oct. 19. OPRD is managing a sudden oak death infestation in tanoak. Sudden oak death is an invasive pathogen that causes tanoak to die. The treatment is necessary to remove the infected and dead tanoak to reduce the spread of sudden oak death within the park and surrounding areas.

Within the 21-acre treatment area all tanoak will be cut down and the tree stumps will be treated with herbicide to limit resprouting. This treatment will also reduce the chances of wildfire risk by removing the unhealthy and dead trees. Initially discovered in Oregon in 2001, this pathogen spread within Curry County affecting private, state, and federal landowners.

Cape Blanco State Park

The horse trail system will be closed for about three weeks starting Monday, Oct. 26. OPRD is reducing tree density within this area to enhance habitat, specifically to support the state and federally listed endangered western lily.

This work will take place across 34 acres and include removing tree seedings, saplings and other trees to allow more meadow species to thrive and reduce encroachment in the sensitive western lily area.

OPRD Waives Central Oregon Day-use Parking Fees This Weekend - 10/16/26

In support of the Silver Rail Elementary families and all of our Central Oregon community, Oregon State Parks is waiving parking fees in the area. 

This includes the following day use parks that typically charge fees for parking: LaPine State Park, Tumalo State Park, Prineville Reservoir State Park, Smith Rock State Park, Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint, and The Cove Palisades State Park.

Through compassion, empathy, and kindness - we uphold our parks as places of healing and support.

OPRD Public Hearing On Ocean Shore Alteration Application, Nov. 18 - 10/16/26

Gleneden Beach, Ore. – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will hold a virtual public hearing on Nov. 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. to accept public testimony on Ocean Shore Alteration Application number 3128. The permit application requests to construct a 150-foot-long riprap revetment on the Ocean Shore State Recreation Area west of the end of Beach Grass Lane in Gleneden Beach.

OPRD received over 10 requests for a hearing during the public comment period that ended Oct. 9, 2026. This hearing is an information gathering session and provides an opportunity for OPRD to hear directly from the public on the submitted application materials. 

The meeting will include an introduction by staff and public testimony. Anyone wishing to testify must pre-register. Each registered individual will be provided up to three minutes to testify in the order they registered. Within 45 days after the hearing, OPRD will make a permit decision. This decision will include consideration of public comment received during the public comment period and this hearing.

Review the application online under the heading "Pending Applications;" look for permit application 3128.

Virtual public hearing details

Date: Nov. 18, 2026
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Join via Zoom

To testify, register for the virtual meeting by noon on Monday, Nov. 16. The registration page will ask whether you want to submit a public comment.

Requesting accommodations

The services, programs and activities of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need special accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact Allison Mangini at 541-220-3786, allison.mangini@oprd.oregon.gov by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13.​

Oregon Heritage Commission To Meet Oct. 25-26 In John Day And Online - 10/13/26

John Day - The Oregon Heritage Commission will have tours of local heritage preservation efforts in John Day on Oct. 25 and will meet for the business meeting on Oct. 26 at 9am at the Grant County Regional Airport and online via zoom.
 

The business meeting agenda includes a Commission discussion on the museum grant and heritage grant program, information on an update to the Cost of Collections Care report, a presentation on the Chinese Diaspora Project, an overview of the Oregon Covered Bridges Needs Assessment Report, and more.

This meeting is open to the public and there is an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting for public comment. Public comment can be made online or by written submission. For online attendance, registration is required. To view the full agenda, register for the virtual meeting, or learn more about public comment options, visit here.
 

The Heritage Commission’s nine Governor appointed members represent a diversity of cultural, geographic, and institutional interests. The Commission’s nine advisory members include representatives from the Oregon State Library, Oregon State Archives, State Historical Records Advisory Board, Higher Education Coordinating Committee, Travel Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, Department of Education, State Historic Preservation Office, and the Department of Land Conservation and Development.
 

The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary commemorations.
 

More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission is available online at www.oregonheritage.org and from Commission coordinator Katie Henry at 503-877-8834 or katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov. 
 

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