Oregon Parks and Rec celebrates 100th birthday, updates state park passes

Henry Miller
·3 min read
Mongold Day Use site, shown here at winter-low water levels at Detroit Lake, is one of the state parks-managed areas that require parking permits.
Mongold Day Use site, shown here at winter-low water levels at Detroit Lake, is one of the state parks-managed areas that require parking permits.

It’s a real deal, with a colorful twist.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2022, is offering its annual $5 discount off the $30 cost of a yearly parking permit during the month of December. You can order online at Park Store (oregonstateparks.org) or via phone at (800) 551-6949 using a credit card.

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One of three designs by Portland artist El Tran on the annual Oregon State Parks 2022 annual parking permit offered at a $5 discount through December.
One of three designs by Portland artist El Tran on the annual Oregon State Parks 2022 annual parking permit offered at a $5 discount through December.

The state parks office in Salem is closed to walk-in visitors because of COVID restrictions, but permits also are available over the counter at Salem Summit Company, 240 Commercial St., Bi-Mart, 2155 Lancaster Drive NE, and REI, 6035 Ulali Drive NE, at Keizer Station.

New this year are three scenic options created by Portland artist El Tran for the rear-view-mirror hang tags. Or you can go old school with the traditional plain green tag.

The themes are “Lighthouse,” “Fish” and “People,” highlighting attractions and activities ranging from scenic vistas, hiking and family adventures at Oregon’s state parks.

Without a permit, day-use parking is $5 a day at 25 parks ranging from Fort Stevens and Nehalem Bay in the northwest corner of the state to The Cove Palisades and Smith Rock in Central Oregon.

Closest to Salem are Silver Falls and Willamette Mission State parks, Champoeg State Heritage Area, and Mongold Day-Use Area at Detroit Lake.

On a personal note, the permits make great stocking-stuffers, especially for Oregon newbies.

A couple of fishing trips at Mongold and a couple more at, say, Willamette Mission, or beach-combing at fee parks on the coast, and the rest is pure gravy.

In the interest of full disclosure, I prefer the two-year permit, which is $50 regardless of when you buy it.

Breeze on past the gate at Willamette Mission State Park west of Keizer when you have an annual or two-year day-use parking permit.
Breeze on past the gate at Willamette Mission State Park west of Keizer when you have an annual or two-year day-use parking permit.

So you get the equivalent of the $5 discount for both years.

And there’s an added bonus for the, ahem, thrifty among us.

Let’s say that you’re cheap and devious. Now let’s say that you are Henry.

As Mark Twain famously said about idiots and members of Congress, I repeat myself.

As the meter is close to running out on your current permit, if you wait until the good weather arrives, say, April, and buy the next two-year pass on April Fool’s Day, it’s good through April two years hence.

Bonus month!

Although you can outfox yourself. I have a recent first-hand example.

Another great thing about the annual and two-year permits is that they are transferable among vehicles.

Kay and I recently had a several-day stay at Yachats on the coast, planning to make stop-and-gawk stops at three state park fee areas en route and returning.

There is no free admission when you are in the car, and I forgot to get the permit out of the pickup.

THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS: A lot of Willamette Valley waters were stocked with trout during the run-up to Free Fishing Days on Nov. 26 and 27.

And a lot of those are still available for you to catch.

Walling Pond (1,300 rainbows) at 16th and McGilchrist streets, parking lot off 16th, and Timber Linn Lake (1,000) at Timber Linn Memorial Park in Albany, along with Junction City Pond (1,000 1-pound trout) off Highway 99W south of Junction City, all should have ample numbers of holdovers.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “You don’t buy beer; you rent it.” - Anonymous

Contact Henry via email at HenryMillerSJ@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon state park passes have a new look