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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I send you feedback and comments?
Where can I buy a day-use parking pass or gift certificate?
What do I need to do to hold an event in a park or on the beach?
Can I bring pets to a park? What about horses/pack animals?
Can I collect plants, minerals or animals in a park?
What are the rules about noise?
Can I bring fireworks into a park?
Can I use my metal detector in a park?
When can I visit a park?
What about alcohol in parks?
What are the rules on how many vehicles and people per campsite
Where can I build a campfire?
Can I dig for artifacts and fossils in a park?
What about hunting?
How do I make or cancel a reservation?
What are the campsite types and lengths, how are they equipped?
What are check-in/check-out times and maximum length of stay?
Do your rates drop in fall, winter and spring?
How do I send you feedback and comments?
You can use our online comment form, contact us by email , call us at 1-800-551-6949, or write:
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
725 Summer St NE, Suite C
Salem OR 97301

Where can I buy a day-use parking pass or gift certificate?
Day-use parking passes, which are needed at 26 parks, are available by phone at (800) 551-6949, and from state park offices around the state. The hang tag passes are transferrable between vehicles.
 
 

An Oregon State Parks gift certificate is a perfect present
Gift certificates can be purchased from the State Park Information Center, 800-551-6949. Visa and MasterCard accepted.

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 or tepees, 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.
 
Pets in Parks  (1.79M pdf)
 
Pets on the Beach
 
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?
fireworks posterOur 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 without a permit is allowed in specific areas of Oregon State Parks and the ocean shores. See the list.  Areas not included on the list may be open to metal detecting with an approved permit. 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.
 
Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit dontmovefirewood.org. 


 

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 for campgrounds throughout 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 the entire amount due for the length of your stay plus a nonrefundable $8 reservation fee. 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.
 
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 through local directory assistance. 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 and tepees is 4 p.m. Check-out is 1 p.m.
 
You can stay 14 consecutive nights in a single campground, and may return after spending at least three nights 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.
 
See additional information for Veterans with Disabilities and Active Military on Leave.

Do your rates drop in fall, winter and spring?
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!


Oregon Administrative Rules
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
Oregon Administrative Rules - Chapter 736
 
Page updated: June 16, 2010

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