22 More Oregon State Parks Now Require Parking Fees — Including Two in the Gorge

Oregon State Parks is expanding its day-use parking fee program to 22 additional parks beginning March 30, 2026, bringing two more Columbia River Gorge destinations into the fee system: Latourell Falls Trailhead at Guy Talbot State Park and Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint

If either of those names sounds familiar, it's because they're part of the same iconic Waterfall Corridor that draws visitors from across the Pacific Northwest year-round. Both sites offer short, accessible hikes to some of the most photographed waterfalls in the Gorge — and both will now require a parking permit for visitors who arrive by car.

This latest expansion follows a first-round of fees that took effect October 1, 2025, which included two other parks close to home: Lewis & Clark State Recreation Site and Crown Point State Scenic Corridor and Vista House. (You can read our earlier coverage of those parks here.)

Why the fees?

Oregon State Parks addressed that question directly in its announcement:

"Oregon State Parks does not receive general fund taxes. Instead, we operate off of lottery dollars, RV registration, and visitor user fees. Most of our user fees are related to overnight camping but our day-use parks have lots of maintenance and care required too. Cleaning restrooms, paving parking lots, picking up trash, trail maintenance and ranger presence are all things that are supported by the parking fee."

What does it cost?

A daily parking permit is $10 for Oregon residents and $12 for out-of-state visitors. One daily permit covers your entire day — you can leave one fee park and drive to another without purchasing a second permit.

For frequent visitors, a 12-month parking permit is the better deal: $60 for Oregon residents or $75 for out-of-state visitors. It's valid for 12 months from the date of purchase and is transferable among vehicles. Permits can be purchased online at the Oregon State Parks store, at most major park offices, or from vendors statewide. Note that online buyers will receive a temporary permit to print and display while the permanent hang tag arrives by mail within 30 days.

At the park, you can pay at a yellow fee machine near the entrance or parking area, or by scanning a QR code posted on a sign in the lot.

Who doesn't have to pay?

The fee does not apply to visitors who walk, bike, take public transportation, or arrive by carpool with a driver who drops them off. Visitors displaying a valid hangtag from a current Oregon State Park camping reservation are also exempt.

Special access passes providing free camping and parking are available for Oregon foster parents and adoptive parents of Oregon foster children, U.S. veterans with a service-connected disability, and active-duty military on official leave.

The full list of parks joining the fee program on March 30, 2026:

Agate Beach State Recreation Site, Angel's Rest Trailhead, Banks Trailhead at Banks-Vernonia State Trail, Bob Straub State Park, Brian Booth State Park, Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint, Cape Blanco State Park, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park, Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area, Elijah Bristow State Park, Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area, Gleneden Beach State Recreation Site, Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site, Lake Owyhee State Park, Latourell Falls Trailhead at Guy Talbot State Park, Molalla River State Park, Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site, Roads End State Recreation Site, Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, Wallowa Lake State Park, and William M. Tugman State Park.

For complete information on the day-use parking permit program, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.