August 11, 2020 3:15 a.m. 

To encourage local recreation and provide funding to help operate the Oregon State Park system, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has added a nonresident surcharge to new campsite reservations and first-come, first-served campers.

A release said the change does not affect existing reservations or people that are currently camping in a state park.

The increase will add up to 30 percent to the nightly cost to camp in a state park for nonresidents. Including lodging tax, the average cost for a full-service RV site has increased to $42 for nonresidents making reservations or arriving without a reservation, up from a previous average of $33 a night. The average tent rate increased to $23 for nonresidents from the previous average of $19.

The release said the surcharge will remain in effect for the rest of the year. A decision about rates for 2021 will be made this fall.

OPRD Director Lisa Sumption said “…this temporary change is needed to remind people to stay as close to home as possible while enjoying the outdoors, and to provide much-needed support for the Oregon State park system, which faces a projected shortfall between now and June 2021”.

The release said in addition to encouraging recreation close to home, the surcharge could generate up to $500,000 through the end of the year to hire staff and pay for cleaning supplies and other park operations.

Go to: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/ for more information.