Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

What Oregon Parks and Recreation Department does

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is a state government agency headquartered in Salem, Oregon, responsible for managing Oregon's state park system, which encompasses 259 properties across more than 113,000 acres, including 362 miles of coastline administered through the Ocean Shore State Recreation Area. The agency operates 52 parks with camping facilities and manages a network of scenic trails including the 382-mile Oregon Coast Trail and multiple Scenic Bikeway routes. OPRD serves approximately 50 million daytime visitors annually and books about 3 million camping nights per year, consistently ranking among the top 10 most visited state park systems in the United States.

OPRD's core products span campsite, cabin, and yurt reservations (full hookup sites at $33-$80/night, rustic yurts at $52-$105/night), 12-month day-use parking permits, Special Access Passes for veterans and foster families, hiker/biker camping ($7-$8/person), and special-use permits for events and filming. The underlying technology consists of an online reservation and booking platform at stateparks.oregon.gov supported by phone reservations (1-800-452-5687), with day-use permits distributed through both online channels and participating retail stores. Supporting programs include the Junior Ranger educational initiative for children ages 6-12, the Whale Watching Center at Depoe Bay with seasonal Whale Watch Weeks, the State Historic Preservation Office, a Community Grants Program, and a volunteer program established in 1977.

OPRD's business model is hybrid: a quasi-public operating model funded through state appropriations, user fees, and grants, rather than commercial revenue. Customer segments are highly fragmented across general public visitors, campers, hikers, cyclists, marine wildlife enthusiasts, Whale Watch Week volunteers, visitors with disabilities, and veterans/foster families. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer through the agency's own reservation channels, supplemented by a multi-channel marketing approach across Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Flickr, email newsletters, and content marketing via blogs and downloadable brochures. In February 2026, the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved higher fee ranges and dynamic peak-season pricing to address an $8 million biennial budget shortfall, with changes effective April 1, 2026.

Name

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

Legal name

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

Website

https://stateparks.oregon.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is a state government agency that manages Oregon's 259-property state park system across 113,000+ acres, serving 50 million daytime visitors and 3 million annual camping nights through online reservations, day-use permits, and outdoor recreation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Park and Public Recreation Management

NAICS

RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (72121), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

National/State Park Campgrounds & Public Campgrounds (THAMAJAI), Campground & Overnight Facilities Operations (Campsites, Cabins, Backcountry Huts) (THAAAGAE), Campgrounds & RV Parks (Developed Sites) (THAGAOAA), Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF)

Keywords

• State park management
• Public recreation services
• Outdoor recreation access
• Park reservation system
• Heritage preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Campsite and camping fees: Revenue from overnight camping at 52 parks with full hookup campsites ranging from $33-$80 per night. Includes rustic yurts ($52-$105) and cabins with dynamic pricing during peak seasons.
2. Day-use parking permits: Revenue from day-use parking fees at designated areas, with 12-month parking permits available for annual pass holders.
3. Special Access Pass fees: Limited free nights for veterans and foster families (4 free nights per month) with associated fees for additional nights.
4. Hiker/biker camping fees: Overnight camping for hikers and bicyclists without motor vehicle support at $7-$8 per person, maximum 3 consecutive days.
5. Special use permits: Fees for special events, weddings, commercial filming, and other non-traditional activities requiring permits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) operates Oregon's state park system, managing 259 properties across more than 113,000 acres, including 362 miles of coastline. The department provides public outdoor recreation access through campsites, cabins, yurts, day-use areas, trails, and scenic bikeways, supported by an online reservation and permit system serving roughly 50 million daytime visitors and 3 million camping nights annually.

Product overview

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) operates a unified portfolio of park and recreation management services centered around the Oregon State Parks System, which encompasses 259 properties across more than 113,000 acres. The core offering is the State Parks reservation and access system, which enables visitors to book campsites, cabins, and yurts at 52 parks through online reservation services. Supporting this are educational and experiential programs including the Junior Ranger Program for children, the Whale Watching Program with dedicated centers and seasonal events, and volunteer opportunities. OPRD also manages extensive outdoor infrastructure including Scenic and Regional Trails (with the Oregon Coast Trail as a flagship 382-mile route), Scenic Bikeways with official designations, and the Ocean Shore State Recreation Area covering 362 miles of Oregon coastline. Additional operational divisions include the State Historic Preservation Office, Community Grants Program, and comprehensive visitor resources such as brochures, maps, and tide tables. The system serves approximately 50 million daytime visitors annually with about 3 million camping nights booked per year, positioning it among the top 10 most visited state park systems in the nation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Oregon State Parks System A network of 259 state parks and properties covering more than 113,000 acres, serving approximately 50 million daytime visitors annually with about 3 million camping nights booked per year.
• Campsite Reservations Online reservation system for campsites at 52 parks, allowing visitors to book full hookup campsites, rustic yurts, and cabins with rates ranging from $33 to $80 per night and dynamic peak-season pricing.
• Cabins and Yurts Overnight accommodation options including cabins and yurts available for reservation at select state parks, with rustic yurts priced $52-$105 per night and dynamic pricing for cabins during peak seasons.
• Day-Use Parking Permits Parking permits for day-use areas at state parks, with 12-month permits available for year-round exploration; permits sold online and at participating retail stores.
• Scenic and Regional Trails Network of designated scenic trails including Cape Lookout Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Saddle Mountain Trail, and regional trails like Banks-Vernonia State Trail and 40-Mile Loop Trail.
• Scenic Bikeways Official state-designated bike routes showcasing Oregon scenery, including Covered Bridges, Crooked River Canyon, Willamette Valley, and other scenic routes with ratings from Mild to Extreme.
• Oregon Coast Trail A 382-mile trail traversing Oregon's coastline from the Columbia River to the California border, including 344 miles designated as scenic trail.
• Ocean Shore State Recreation Area State recreation area encompassing all 362 miles of Oregon's coastline between ordinary high tide and extreme low tide, preserving public beach access.
• Whale Watching Program Program featuring the Whale Watching Center at Depoe Bay and twice-yearly Whale Watch Weeks, helping visitors observe Gray whales during migration seasons in late December and late March.
• Junior Ranger Program Educational program for children ages 6-12 offering activity books and badges while teaching about plants, animals, and park protection at campgrounds and day-use parks.
• Volunteer Program Volunteer opportunities supporting state parks since 1977, including maintenance, tours, school programs, and park hosting roles.
• State Historic Preservation Office Office managing heritage programs and historic preservation across Oregon's state parks and heritage sites.
• Community Grants Program Grant program administered by OPRD to support local community recreation and parks projects.
• Special Use Permits Fees and permits for special events, weddings, commercial filming, and other non-traditional activities requiring permits in Oregon state parks.
• Brochures and Maps Comprehensive digital guides and PDF maps for all Oregon State Parks campgrounds, day-use areas, and heritage sites including tide tables and trail guides.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50 million daytime visitors annually, consistently ranking among top 10 most visited state park systems in the nation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Trailkeepers of OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrailkeepers of Oregon coordinates with OPRD to provide trail condition updates and alerts for Oregon Coast Trail and other trails passing through state parks. This partnership helps hikers access current information about trail conditions, closures, and detours.
• Whale Watch Week volunteersminorOthersVolunteers staff 15 designated whale watching sites during Whale Watch Weeks in late December and late March, speaking with thousands of visitors from around the globe and counting whales spotted.
• Community organizations, businesses, schools, and civic groupsminorOthersOPRD welcomes partnerships with various community organizations for volunteer programs, park hosting, and community engagement initiatives.
• SOLVE and SurfriderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeach cleanup events and environmental stewardship partnerships with SOLVE and Surfrider organizations for ocean shore maintenance and debris removal.
• Trailkeepers of OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrail condition updates are made available with the generous support of Trailkeepers of Oregon staff and volunteers in coordination with OPRD and other OCT partners.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• California State Parks: Operates the largest state park system in the U.S., managing 280+ park units, millions of annual visitors, camping, day-use permits, and ocean/coastal recreation — directly comparable in mandate, revenue model, and visitor scale to OPRD.
• Washington State Parks: Neighboring state park agency managing 100+ parks with camping, day-use permits, and coastal recreation including Pacific Ocean beaches — highly comparable to OPRD in geographic, demographic, and operational profile.
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Manages 42 state parks, 300+ wildlife areas, and camping/reservation systems for the State of Colorado — directly comparable state-government peer with similar mix of camping, day-use, and outdoor recreation programming.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: State agency managing 80+ state parks plus wildlife and historic sites with similar camping/permit revenue model and significant visitor scale — direct public-sector peer in operations and revenue structure.
• Florida State Parks: Operates 175+ state parks with extensive camping, day-use fees, and reservation infrastructure — among the largest state park systems in the country with a comparable operating and revenue model.
• New York State Parks: Administers 250+ state parks including campgrounds, day-use areas, and historic sites, generating tens of millions in annual visitation and fee revenue — directly comparable in mandate, scale, and operating model.

Broad incumbents

• National Park Service: Federal agency operating 400+ national parks with camping, day-use fees, and reservation systems (Recreation.gov). Overlaps with OPRD's visitor segments in Oregon (Crater Lake) and represents a higher-tier, broader mandate.
• Kampgrounds of America (KOA): Largest private U.S. camping network with 500+ franchised campgrounds offering cabins, RV sites, and tent camping — broad incumbent serving overlapping customer segments with more aggressive pricing and marketing.

Others

• ReserveAmerica: Private reservation platform handling campsite bookings for multiple state park systems — adjacent ecosystem participant that operates in the same distribution channel as OPRD's online reservation system.

Emerging players

• Hipcamp: Private marketplace connecting travelers with unique outdoor stays including private land, glamping, and state-park adjacent sites — emerging competitor/adjacent to OPRD's overnight offerings in the Oregon market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ORStateParks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OregonParks
• Facebookfacebook.com/OregonStateParks
• Instagraminstagram.com/oregonstateparks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oregon-state-parks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Oregon Parks and Recreation Department