Oregon State Parks are amazing! Do you qualify for FREE day use and FREE camping at Oregon State Parks? The answer is YES if you’re a veteran, an active-duty military member on leave or a foster family! Find out how you can save money on your Oregon State Parks adventures.
In this post, we’ll review all of the Oregon State Parks discounts that are available and who qualifies for them.
Oregon State Parks Discounts
The Oregon State Parks passes typically cost $30 for 12 months or $50 for 24 months. You may be granted a free pass or discounted pass if you fall under either of these categories:
Oregon State Parks Pass for Disabled Veterans
Veterans with service-connected disability get the Special Access Pass. They offer the same benefits as those for active military members on leave, as described below. The benefits are just applied differently. Eligible veterans get a pass that gives them free admission to camping sites.
The same 10-day rule applies — you’ll get covered for 10 nights in any calendar month at any of the day-use fee parks. The coverage does not cover park facilities like cabins or yurts. In addition to paying the $8 reservation fee, you’ll also have to pay the $7 per night fee for a second driven vehicle.
Here are steps to get the special access pass:
- Get a letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that says you have a service-connected disability
- Scan or take a picture of the letter
- Apply online and attach the scanned letter/photograph
The validity of the pass is 10 years. So, you’ll have to renew it after every decade via an online form. You can request a renewal 6 months before the pass expires.
Foster Parents of Oregon Foster Children
Foster parents, guardians, and adoptive parents of Oregon foster children get free parking passes at any of the 25-day-use fee parks in Oregon. The free access is only valid if the foster children are present.
Eligible foster parents/guardians/adoptive parents, alongside their foster children, can spend up to 14 nights camping in a tent, RV, or standard horse campsite. The benefit does not extend to special park facilities or fees for a second-driven vehicle.
These benefits don’t apply to any foster parent/guardian/adoptive parents. Only those certified through the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), tribal governments, and the Oregon Youth Authority are eligible.
To apply, you’ll have to fill out an online form and attach a some documentation. The documentation you need will depend on which category you fall under.
- Foster families must upload a valid copy of your Certificate of Approval to Maintain a Foster Home in Oregon. The pass remains valid until your foster home certificate expires.
- Guardian or adoptive parents must attach a copy of the Adoptive or Guardian Family Fee Waiver Program Verification Letter obtained from the DHS. The pass is valid until your adoptive foster child turns 18.
It appears there are additional foster parents/guardian/adoptive parents parks benefits as well.
Active-Duty Military Personnel On Leave
When you visit an Oregon state park as an active-duty military personnel on leave, you’ll have to pay the parking fees upfront. However, you’ll get reimbursed. These benefits cover camping costs in RV sites, standard horse campsites, and tent campsites.
You can stay at one state park for up to 10 nights in a row, or you can stay a total of 10 nights at any state park within one month, no matter where they are. If you stay more than 10 nights at a campsite, you’ll have to pay the extra cost out-of-pocket.
The active-duty military on-leave benefits do not cover cabins, yurts, and other parking facilities. It also doesn’t cover the $8 reservation fee.
To get a refund after visiting a state park, you’ll have to submit a letter from your CO confirming you were on leave and a receipt for the dates of your stay. You must submit your refund request within 30 days after your last day at the park. You should get your refund within three weeks post request. Check here for more information about the active-military on-leave benefits.
Other Park Passes Valid in Oregon
Want more cheap stuff in Oregon? We’ve got you! Check out this list of park passes available to you. Note that they’re not discounted, however, they’re a steal considering the cheap one-time payment covers you year-round.
Northwest Forest Pass
This pass is valued at $30 yearly and it grants access to many U.S. Forest Service (USFS) day-use fee areas such as boat launches, picnic areas, and trailheads. Find more details about the Northwest Forest Pass here.
National Parks Pass
If you want to visit any National Parks in Oregon, you’ll need a special National Parks Pass to get in. Be sure to check out this list of National Parks Pass discounts!
Oregon Pacific Coast Passport
The Oregon Pacific Coast passport is honored at the National Park Service (NPS), USFS, AND Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It’s also valid at 16 coastal day-use fee areas operated by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The pass costs $35 annually, and $10 for five days. See more details here.
About Oregon State Parks
Oregon spans a remarkable range of landscapes, with a striking contrast in their geography. In the western part of the state, you’ll find lush rainforests, fertile valleys, and mountains. Moving towards the eastern regions, the landscape transitions to natural deserts with harsh climatic conditions.
Across all of these terrains, there are over 200 state parks where you can absorb the beauty of nature and have fun with loved ones. Here’s a list of some:
- Silver Falls State Park
- Washington Park
- Oswald West State Park
- Fort Stevens State Park
- Forest Park
- Hogan Butte Nature Park
- Oregon Hills Park
- Rood Bridge Park
- Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park
- Tualatin Hills Nature Park
- Old Canemah Park
- Smith Rock State Park
If you’re an outdoor person, you’ll love Oregon State Parks. Go easy on your pocket and get a pass today. It’ll give you the liberty to go parking all year round without significantly affecting your finances; well, the parks pass coupled with our money-saving parking tips.
Relief Recap
Oregon State Parks pass serves as a means to help residents save on park visits. Discounts are also available to active-duty military members on leave, veterans with service-connected disabilities, and foster parents/guardians/adoptive parents of Oregon foster children.
Low Income Relief Team
This article is the product of a team effort! Multiple authors from the Low Income Relief team have contributed to this post. We have also used AI tools to organize data and refine the writing in accordance with our Responsible AI Use Policy. All articles on our website are reviewed by our founder and resident poverty expert, Nicole Thelin, prior to publication.