2014 Oregon State Parks Rate Increase

Oregon State Parks wrote:
Dear Oregon State Parks Customer:



This letter is to inform you that Oregon State Park camping rates will increase for camping stays in yurts, cabins and most types of standard campsites on May 1, 2014. In addition the $10 per day pet fee for customers staying with their pet in a “pet friendly” yurt or cabin became a mandatory fee on October 7, 2013. The fee had been a voluntary donation up until October.



The increased rates became official when the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission adopted changes to the Oregon Administrative Rules governing park rates at their September 24th meeting. Campers staying in an Oregon state park campground on May 1, 2014, will see rate increases for most types of yurts, cabins and standard campsites ranging from $1 to $4, with the exception of tent site rates which will not increase. The fee for bringing an extra vehicle will also increase by $2. Campers who visit between now and April 30, 2014 will pay the current, lower rates. New reservations for stays starting May 1 and later will be charged the new rates.



All existing reservations for stays on or after May 1, 2014 which were made before October 7, 2013 will be honored at the rate quoted at the time of the reservation. However, if changes are made to the reservation the rate increases will be applied (as a courtesy to customers with existing reservations, there will be a grace period to modify existing reservations without having to pay the new, higher rates). If you wish to change your reservation during this grace period, contact the Oregon Parks and Recreation Reservations Northwest office at 1-800-452-5687 between now and January 1, 2014. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All changes made after January 1, 2014 will result in the increased rates being applied to your existing reservation.



In addition to the rate increase adopted by Oregon State Parks, customers staying at Cape Lookout and Nehalem Bay state parks on January 1, 2014, or later will see an increase in the fees they pay as a result of a 10% Tillamook county lodging tax. This tax was approved by voters in November. Oregon State Parks is required to collect lodging tax on overnight camping facilities located in areas where cities or counties have enacted a tax. Reservations Northwest call center agents will be making calls to collect the 10% tax over the next few days. Please be aware that you will need to provide the agent with your Visa or MasterCard number to pay the tax as we do not keep them on file.





The new tax is due on all camping stays from January 1, 2014 forward, and will be applied to all stays at Cape Lookout and Nehalem Bay, including advance reservations made before the tax was approved. The tax is rolled into the published rate for our campsites and rounded to the nearest dollar. While this may appear to be a rate increase for our parks in Tillamook County, the revenue generated goes directly to the county, not to Oregon State Parks.



We would like to thank you for continuing to be our valued customer and supporting Oregon State Parks. We look forward to serving you and your camping needs in the future. If you have any questions regarding the new rates or Tillamook County lodging tax please call the Oregon State Parks Information line at 1-800-551-6949 or e-mail us at park.info@state.or.us.



Sincerely,







Sheri Miller

RNW Call Center Manager

Oregon Parks & Rec Dept