You might be wise to purchase a couple park passes this winter if getting outside is your New Year’s resolution.
Almost all parks and trailheads that charge admission offer annual park passes, which may be a terrific method for frequent visitors to save money and a good incentive for those who need a reminder to visit more frequently.
Individual land management organizations, such as Oregon State Parks, the National Park Service, or Metro, usually offer the passes, which cost between $25 and $80 annually. While they might be limited to a particular area or activity, some do provide coverage across several agencies or states.
The America the Beautiful Pass, which costs $80 and grants access to all federal areas in the United States, is the pinnacle of annual park passes. Veterans and their families, as well as people with disabilities, are eligible for the same pass at no cost. The Senior Pass, which costs $80 and is lifelong, is available to anyone over 62.
These annual park permits haven’t changed in price in recent years, despite the fact that so many other parts of vacation are becoming more costly. Despite the agency raising daily parking rates from $5 to $10 per car in 2025, the Oregon State Parks Pass will still cost $30 for a single year and $50 for two.
These yearly passes are a great deal for frequent visitors, but they might not be cost-effective for people who only visit the parks once or twice a year.
On July 13, 2024, a star party is held at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
OREGON STATE PARKS PASS
Where it’s accepted: Smith Rock, Silver Falls, and Fort Stevens State Parks are among the 25 Oregon state parks that have parking fees.
Cost: $30 for a year, $50 for two.
Where to get one: get a pass online, at vendors throughout the state, or at the majority of the state’s major parks.
DISCOVER PASS
Any state recreation area in Washington, including all state parks, is acceptable.
Cost: $35 for a year.
Where to buy one:Buy a passonline, at some state parks, or fromvendorsaround the state.
NORTHWEST FOREST PASS
Acceptable locations include the majority of trailheads and day-use places, as well as all open U.S. Forest Service recreation sites in Oregon and Washington that have a day-use fee.
Price:$30 for one year.
Where to purchase one: Purchase a pass from dealers in the Northwest, online, or at U.S. Forest Service locations.
Horsetail Falls plunges into a pool on the side of the Historic Columbia River Highway in the Columbia River Gorge.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASS
Where it s accepted:All federal recreation sites in the country, including national parks and land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
Cost: $80 for a year.
Where to buy one:Buy a passonline, or at localfederal land management offices.
METRO PARKS PASS
Where it s accepted:All parks and natural areas managed by Metro that charge parking fees, including Oxbow Regional Park and Broughton Beach.
Price:$40 for one year, $80 for two years
Where to buy one:Buy a passonline, or at the Blue Lake or Oxbow park offices.
OREGON SNO-PARK PASS
Where it s accepted:All sno-parks in Oregon when parking fees are charged, from Nov. 1 to April 30, as well as sno-parks in California and Idaho.
Price:$25 for one year.
Where to buy one:Buy a passonline, at Oregon DMV officers or fromvendorsaround the state.
A fallen tree affords a view of Mount St. Helens from the Warrior Point Trail on the northern tip of Sauvie Island.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
ODFW WILDLIFE AREA PASS
Where it s accepted:All wildlife areas managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, including those on Sauvie Island and around eastern Oregon.
Price:$30 for one year
Where to buy one:Buy a passonline, at ODFW offices or fromvendorsaround the state.
OREGON PACIFIC COAST PASSPORT
Where it s accepted:At16 state and federal park siteson the Oregon coast, including Fort Stevens State Park, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area.
Price:$35 for one year
Where to buy one:Fromselect vendorson the coast, including state parks, BLM and U.S. Forest Service headquarters.
–Jamie Halecovers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts thePeak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077,[email protected]@HaleJamesB.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
