The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is one of 22 Oregon state parks that will begin requiring day-use parking permits on March 30, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced Friday.
However, only the Banks Trailhead will require a parking permit, said Jo Niehaus, a senior policy advisor for the agency. The trail's other trailhead parking lots at Manning, Buxton, Tophill and Beaver Creek will not require a parking permit at this time.
Trail users starting from the Vernonia end of the trail should note that the state parking permit does not cover Vernonia Lake Park, a city park that serves as a popular access point to the trail. The City of Vernonia requires a $5 per day parking pass at its parks, with a $50 annual pass available for purchase at Vernonia City Hall.
A day-use parking permit at state parks costs $10 for in-state visitors and $12 for out-of-state visitors and is valid for the entire day of purchase at any Oregon state park.
Access to state parks remains free for visitors who walk, bike or use public transportation. Visitors who drive in can show valid parking by displaying a current hangtag from camping at an Oregon state park or a current 12-month parking permit, which costs $60 for Oregon residents and can be purchased online.
"if people visit a state park more than six times a year, we really recommend that they get an annual parking permit," Niehaus said in an email to this newspaper.
L.L. "Stub" Stewart State Park, located along the trail between Banks and Vernonia, already requires a day-use parking permit.
The 22 parks were selected based on amenities and features that require maintenance such as restrooms, trails, paving, irrigation and boat ramps, the agency said. Parking fees help pay for maintenance and operations.
"These updates are about protecting the experiences visitors love," said Interim Director Stefanie Coons. "We know fee changes are tough and we truly appreciate the support from visitors. These changes help us take care of things people count on like restrooms, boat ramps, and trails, so we can keep parks safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone."
Oregon State Parks has three main sources of funding: a little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees. It is not funded by general fund taxes, according to the agency.
The new fees come as the Banks-Vernonia State Trail and Stub Stewart State Park both saw fewer visitors in 2025 compared to the previous year.
The agency currently requires day-use parking permits at 46 parks and waives parking fees at over 150 parks statewide. A full list of the 22 additional parks is available on the agency's website.
March 30 also marks the start of a $10 fee at 19 RV dump stations across the park system.
