State parks increase camping prices for nonresidents

Starting Monday, August 10, camp rental sites at Oregon state parks will increase from an average of $33 a night to $42 a night for nonresidents.

And now returning to our coronavirus coverage-- as we told you-- the oregon parks and recreation department will increase the 'state park campsite rental price' for non-residents starting tomorrow.

This surcharge will remain in effect through the rest of the year -- as the state struggles to fill a pandemic budget gap.

Kezi 9 news reporter julian mininsohn spoke with some local campers who disagree with the surcharge -- even though it doesn't affect them.

(casey) "i really don't think it's fair to camping in general to try and stick it to the other people just cause they're from out-of- state."

The average price of a full-service vehicle camp site will raise from 33 follars a night to 42 a night for non-residents.

One camper says that's too much.

(casey) "that's really steep.

That's over 25 percent."

Volunteer camp host judy benson says the reason for the price increase is to recoup some of the losses due to covid-19.

(judy benson) "we lost some funds and people are using the parks a lot more too.

Oregon parks are really nice so you can understand why people from out-of-state come here."

(julian) casey cannon of oakridge tells me that if the oregon parks and recs department wants to make up for lost funds due to covid-19, that they should charge everybody the increased price, not just nonresidents.

(casey) "they tax the gas all the time.

It's just adding like a camping tax to slowly build those funds back up."

Benson says the increase could discourage out-of- state travelers from coming into oregon to camp -- which could help slow the spread of the virus.

Judy benson) "part of the idea is people are supposed to stay closer to home and not get out as much.

If they're coming to another state they're getting away from home and going into our home."

The surcharge will reamin in effect until the end of the year.

A decision about rates for 2021 will be made in the fall.

Reporting in fall creek, julian mininsohn, kezi 9