Parking Permits to Be Discontinued at Select Oregon Parks
State parks will stop honoring Jackson County-issued permits beginning January 1, 2026 due to budget constraints.
Oregon State Parks will no longer accept Jackson County parking permits at state parks within the county beginning January 1, 2026, ending a long-standing partnership that allowed local residents to use their county-issued permits at select state-managed sites.
The change will affect TouVelle State Recreation Site and Valley of the Rogue State Park, two of the area’s most frequently visited locations.
“We appreciate our ongoing partnership with Jackson County and the collaboration for this program, but we can no longer continue the program due to budget constraints. These changes are critical to sustaining state park operations and services now and for the future,” said Dani Padilla, South Central District Manager.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is projecting a $14 million budget shortfall this biennium. The agency cites declining lottery revenue, rising operational costs, and the need for more sustainable long-term funding. OPRD does not receive general-fund tax dollars for its operations, relying instead on other revenue streams such as parking permits, fees, and grants.
As part of broader financial adjustments, OPRD will also discontinue participation in the Oregon Pacific Coast Passport program starting January 1, 2026. Additional changes for the 2026 season include streamlining internal costs and exploring new partnerships and sponsorships to help stabilize future funding.
The department says these steps are necessary to continue maintaining park facilities, staffing, and visitor services across Oregon’s 250-plus state park properties.