Big Budget Shortfall at OPRD FREEZES VISITOR CENTER Plans at Smith Rock and Hikes ANNUAL Fees
November 20, 2025
Almost a year ago, exactly, we took a walk with Smith Rock State Park Manager Matt Davey at the location of the proposed and approved Visitor Center project to replace the currently donated yurt Welcome Center with a new 2,400-square-foot facility. The Visitor Center, along with improvements to and an extension of the Rim Rock Trail to the north end of the park, was one of the projects approved to receive funds from bond sales. Additionally, Oregon Parks and Recreation was recently awarded a Land and Water Conservation Grant to help fund construction. Now it’s all on hold and fees will be increasing January 1, 2026.
Oregon State Parks Department (OPRD) is projecting a $14 million operations budget shortfall this biennium due to a projected decrease in Lottery revenue, increasing costs, and a long-standing need for more sustainable funding. The department does not receive general fund tax revenue for operations. OPRD has chosen to focus on projects to extend the life of existing facilities rather than add new ones.
“When projects were initially identified 2021, we could not have anticipated the substantial increases in costs of materials, staffing and consultants or the significant reduction in revenue.”
THE BUDGET IMPACT AT SMITH ROCK STATE PARK STARTS NEXT WEEK, NOVEMBER 28, 2025, with NO GREEN FRIDAY FREE PARKING
In addition to not waiving the parking fee on Green Friday, you’ll need to pay for parking on your First Day Hike on January 1, 2026, which is traditionally also free. The biggest impact is to the annual parking fee permit, doubling for Oregon residents from $30 to $60/per year, with a surcharge for out-of-state visitors bringing their annual permit to $75.
The 24-month parking permits will be discontinued in 2026; however, existing permits will be honored until they expire.