Oregon State Parks Pass (2026)
2026 Price Update: Oregon doubled annual pass prices from $30 to $60 for residents starting January 2025, due to budget shortfalls. Two-year passes are no longer sold.
| Pass | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual | $60/year | Oregon plate required |
| Non-Resident Annual | $75/year | Valid 12 months |
| Daily Parking | $10 | Self-pay at trailheads |
| 24-Hour Pass | $5 | Selected parks only |
| Coastal Access | FREE | All beaches are public |
Break-even: At $10/day, the $60 pass pays off after just 6 visits. If you visit monthly, it’s a no-brainer.
5 Regions of Oregon State Parks
1. Oregon Coast
Landscape: Sea stacks, tide pools, old-growth coastal forest, dunes
Signature Parks:
- Ecola State Park – Cannon Beach + Haystack Rock views; Goonies filming
- Cape Lookout State Park – 2.5-mile peninsula trail; whale watching
- Shore Acres State Park – Dramatic cliffs; botanical gardens; holiday lights
- Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor – 12 miles of arch bridges & coves
- Oswald West State Park – Short Sand Beach surfer’s paradise
- Oregon Dunes (nearby NRA) – 40 miles of sand dunes; ATV access
- Hug Point State Recreation Site – Beachside waterfall; sea caves
Best For: Coastal hiking, whale watching, tide pooling, storm watching, surfing
2. Willamette Valley & Portland Metro
Landscape: River valleys, covered bridges, waterfalls, wine country
Signature Parks:
- Silver Falls State Park – “Trail of Ten Falls” (10 waterfalls in one loop!)
- Champoeg State Heritage Area – Oregon Trail history; Willamette River
- Willamette Mission State Park – Largest black cottonwood tree in US
- Milo McIver State Park – Clackamas River fishing; disc golf
- Stub Stewart State Park – Forest ridge; mountain biking; yurts
Best For: Waterfall chasing, wine country proximity, family camping, covered bridges
3. Columbia River Gorge & Mt. Hood
Landscape: Volcanic peaks, 600+ waterfalls, basalt cliffs
Signature Parks:
- Crown Point/Vista House – Iconic Gorge panorama
- Multnomah Falls (USFS) – 620-ft falls (adjacent to state parks)
- Mayer State Park – Columbia River windsurfing
- Rooster Rock State Park – Sandy beach on Columbia
- Trillium Lake (USFS) – Mt. Hood reflection
- Memaloose State Park – Gorge camping; I-84 access
Best For: Waterfall hikes, windsurfing, Mt. Hood access, photography
4. Central Oregon & High Desert
Landscape: Volcanic lakes, lava flows, old-growth ponderosa
Signature Parks:
- Smith Rock State Park – Birthplace of American sport climbing; Misery Ridge
- Cove Palisades State Park – Lake Billy Chinook; canyon reservoir
- Tumalo State Park – Bend’s backyard; Deschutes River camping
- La Pine State Park – Largest ponderosa pine in Oregon
- Peter Skene Ogden Scenic Viewpoint – 300-ft canyon overlook
Best For: Rock climbing, canyon camping, stargazing, river floating
5. Eastern Oregon
Landscape: Painted Hills, canyon rivers, ghost towns
Signature Parks:
- Wallowa Lake State Park – “Switzerland of Oregon”; tramway to 8,150 ft
- Farewell Bend State Recreation Area – Oregon Trail crossing; Snake River
- Hat Rock State Heritage Site – Lewis & Clark landmark on Columbia
- Unity Lake State Recreation Area – Quiet reservoir; wildlife
Best For: Solitude, Oregon Trail history, alpine lakes, wildlife
Oregon’s Coastal Parks: A Special Feature
Oregon is the only state where the entire coastline is public (Oregon Beach Bill, 1967):
| Park | Coastal Feature | Must-Do |
|---|---|---|
| Ecola | Haystack Rock viewpoint | Indian Beach hike |
| Cape Lookout | 2.5-mi peninsula | Whale watching (Dec–Jan, Mar–May) |
| Shore Acres | Sandstone cliffs | Holiday lights (Nov–Dec) |
| Samuel H. Boardman | Natural bridges | Arch Rock viewpoint |
| Oswald West | Surfer cove | Short Sand Beach |
| Cape Perpetua | Spouting horn | Thor’s Well + Devil’s Churn |
| Hug Point | Waterfall on beach | Sea cave access at low tide |
Best Oregon State Parks by Activity
🌊 Best Coastal Parks
| Park | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Ecola | Goonies Point; Haystack Rock views |
| Samuel H. Boardman | 12-mile scenic corridor |
| Shore Acres | Storm watching; botanical gardens |
| Cape Lookout | Whale watching peninsula |
| Oswald West | Rainforest-to-surf trail |
🧗 Best for Climbing & Adventure
| Park | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Smith Rock | Sport climbing | 1,800+ routes; Monkey Face |
| Wallowa Lake | Tramway | Gondola to 8,150 ft summit |
| Silver Falls | Waterfall Canyon | Walk behind 4 waterfalls |
| Cape Lookout | Ridge hiking | 800-ft cliffs over ocean |
| Cove Palisades | Cliff jumping | Lake Billy Chinook canyons |
🏕️ Best for Camping
| Park | Region | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Lookout | Coast | Oceanfront sites; yurts |
| Silver Falls | Valley | 10 waterfalls; cabins |
| Wallowa Lake | Eastern | Alpine lake; tramway |
| Tumalo | Central | Walk to Bend restaurants |
| Stub Stewart | Portland area | Mountain bike trails; yurts |
💦 Best Waterfalls
| Park | Falls | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Falls | Trail of Ten Falls | 10 falls, tallest 177 ft |
| Cape Perpetua | Spouting Horn | Ocean geyser |
| Hug Point | Beach Waterfall | Falls onto beach |
| Multnomah (USFS) | Multnomah Falls | 620 ft (2 tiers) |
| Toketee (USFS) | Toketee Falls | 120 ft columnar basalt |
When to Visit Oregon State Parks (2026)
| Season | Best For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Waterfalls at peak; wildflowers; whale migration | Rain (coast); snow at elevation |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Best weather; beach camping; climbing | Coast fog; popular parks full |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | Fall color; mushroom foraging; fewer crowds | Early storms on coast |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Storm watching; whale watching; holiday lights | Heavy rain; trail closures |
Frequently Asked Questions (2026)
How many state parks are there in Oregon?
Oregon has 361 state parks, waysides, and recreation areas making it one of the largest systems by count in America.
How much is the Oregon annual pass in 2026?
$60/year for residents, $75 for non-residents (doubled from $30 in 2025 due to budget changes). Daily parking is $10.
Is the Oregon coast really free to access?
Yes! The 1967 Oregon Beach Bill guarantees public access to all 363 miles of coastline. No beach in Oregon is private.
Which Oregon State Park has the best waterfalls?
Silver Falls State Park is the crown jewel with its “Trail of Ten Falls”—10 waterfalls on one 7.2-mile loop, including walks behind 4 falls.
Are dogs allowed in Oregon State Parks?
Yes, leashed dogs are allowed in most areas and on many trails. Some sensitive ecological areas restrict dogs.
When is the best time for whale watching in Oregon?
December–January (gray whale migration south) and March–May (migration north). Cape Lookout and Cape Perpetua are top viewing spots.
What is Smith Rock State Park known for?
Smith Rock is the birthplace of American sport climbing with 1,800+ routes including the iconic Monkey Face. It’s also great for hiking and trail running.
Can you camp on Oregon’s beaches?
Not on the beach itself, but many coastal state parks offer camping within walking distance of the beach. Cape Lookout and Nehalem Bay are favorites.
What’s the most popular Oregon State Park?
Silver Falls State Park is the most visited inland park. On the coast, Ecola State Park draws massive crowds for Haystack Rock views.
Are there yurts in Oregon State Parks?
Yes! Oregon pioneered state park yurt camping. Over 15 parks offer yurts, including Cape Lookout, Stub Stewart, and Beverly Beach.
