Nearly 54 Million People Visited Oregon State Parks in a Record-Breaking 2024

Coastal Parks Were the Favorite Destination

The most popular choices were coastal parks, with Harris Beach State Park welcoming nearly two million day-use visitors and Devil Punch Bowl a further 900,000 visitors.

OSP also logged 2.83 million overnight campers, a slight downward trend partly due to construction closures at three popular venues – Bullard’s Beach, Beverly Beach, and Nehalem Bay.

Wear and Tear is Impacting an Aging Park System

However, the record-breaking event is dampened by the fact that the wear and tear has impacted an aging park system, says the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department in a news release.

At more than 50 years old, restroom facilities at OSP are antiquated, requiring continuous maintenance, and the increased number of visitors last year also called for a semi-truck load of toilet paper. The cost of replacing a restroom/shower is nearly $1 million.

Some Parks Welcome 17,000 Overnight Campers

OSP welcomes as many as 17,000 overnight campers in high season, equivalent to moving a city the size of Canby in and out of campgrounds daily.

Adding to the pressure, increased maintenance and operation costs have outstripped revenue by more than 30%, forcing OSP to increase visitor fees in 2025. Further increases in future years may be necessary to balance the budget.

OSP is funded by visitor fees, the state lottery, and recreational vehicle fees.

The OSP Seasonal Recruit Campaign is Underway

The increased number of visitors translates to a need for more rangers and support staff. OSP began its 2025 seasonal recruitment campaign last month to hire 200 rangers and assistants.

OSP says visitors can help reduce the impact of wear and tear by following park rules, not straying from designated trails, and leaving no trace in areas they occupy.