The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved several grant recommendations and rule updates, including changes to camping cancellation policy, special access pass program requirements and rate ranges, at its February 24, 2026, virtual meeting.
The updated reservation rules will go into effect beginning April 2026. These rules, 736-015-0006 to 736-015-0043, will update the agency cancellation policy, refunds, special access passes and rate ranges.
Changes include:
Cancellation Policy:
- No refunds on the day of arrival.
- No-show reservations will not be refunded.
- Refunds vary based on how long the reservation was held and how close to arrival it is canceled.
Special Access Pass:
- New passes granted only to Oregon residents.
- Free Day Use parking year-round.
- 4 nights of free camping per calendar month.
Other items:
- Updates reservation rate ranges to reflect future costs.
- These rate ranges set only the minimum and maximum allowed amounts. They are not the actual price visitors will pay.
- Actual rates will continue to be set separately and may stay the same or change gradually over time. This change allows greater use of demand-based pricing across seasons and park types.
- The new rate ranges are not new rates. These ranges allow for the director to set new rates within the approved range to respond to inflation and operational needs.
- State Parks Day will provide free parking for Oregon residents.
- Individuals with existing camping reservations for June 6, 2026 will continue to have camping fees waived.
- Updates language to allow for input of license plate input instead of printed tags.
The request to adopt rules guiding use of unmanned aircraft systems in parks and on the ocean shore was postponed until the April 2026 commission meeting.
The commission approved the following grant recommendations:
- All-Terrain Vehicle Program 15 grants totaling $1,402,458 (Grants funded by ATV user permit sales and percentage of gas tax)
- County Opportunity Grant with 9 grants totaling $2,171,547 (Grant program funded by RV license plate registration dollars)
Additional approved action items include:
- Acknowledgement of a donation from Fastap Screw Company.
- Addition of Ewuana Flats to the State Natural Areas Program
- Approval to proceed with construction contracts for Lake Owyhee and Cape Lookout.
This was the first meeting for Commissioner Chane Griggs. Commissioner Griggs represents congressional district six. She is active in the Salem community and retired from a career with the state of Oregon. Commissioner Griggs enjoys camping with her family, including many spring break trips tent camping at Wallowa Lake State Park when her children were younger.
The next commission meeting will be held virtually on April 22, 2026.
To watch the February commission meeting or any others, visit https://bit.ly/oprdlive and find supporting documents on the commission webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/
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 virtually or at locations across the state.
