Oregon state parks saw a record number of visitors in 2024. Why officials are worried

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department reported a staggering 53,853,609 day trips to state parks in 2024, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous year. Despite this milestone, officials, including state parks director Lisa Sumption, expressed grave concerns about the sustainability of park operations amid rising visitor numbers. The department is grappling with a $350 million maintenance backlog and operational costs that have outstripped revenue by 30%. To address this financial strain, parking and camping fees will rise, effective January 1, but park officials caution that these measures alone will not bridge the funding gap. Most of the visitor increase was seen on the Oregon coast, where parks like Hug Point and Driftwood Beach reported visitor surges exceeding 100%.

The aging infrastructure, with over a third of restroom facilities being 50 years or older, poses additional challenges for park management. Sumption warned that without new funding solutions, the state parks could face a budget crisis by 2027, jeopardizing the quality of visitor experiences. As the state parks continue to attract more visitors, the need for sustainable funding becomes increasingly urgent.