08/19/2026
Pictured: the library's Oregon State Parks Parking Permit at (from left), William M. Tugman State Park, Rooster Rock State Park, and Smith Rock State Park.
Adventures with the Oregon State Parks Parking Permits
by Rebecca Marcus, Library Programs Manager
This summer my husband and I decided to introduce our sons, ages three and six, to the joys of family travel by car. Our destination: Yakima, Washington- agricultural powerhouse, birthplace of the award-winning asparagus and pepper jack tamale, and, most importantly, landing place of my dear friend from high school. Just before I left work at the library on the last day before our trip, I checked out an Oregon State Parks Parking Permit, âjust in case.â
The State Parks Parking Permit came in handy less than two hours into our journey when the mood in the backseat of our car was transitioning from a little whiny to full-on hangry. Just then a sign appeared for William M. Tugman State Park âFee Area.â This Oregon state park was one of the 22 added to the list of state parks requiring parking fees on March 30 of this year. I was so delighted to have a parking pass with me that I snapped the picture (above left) and immediately texted it to Jeremy (library director) and Karim (programs specialist) with the caption: âJust saved 10$ thanks to CPL!â (Karim âheartedâ my message, and Jeremy responded with ânice,â in case you were wondering.) If you have never been, William M. Tugman State Park is right off of HWY 101 near Lakeside, tucked up against Eel Lake. It features a boat ramp (including a brand-new kayak launching dock), a small beach and swim area, a playground, and docks for fishing. This park got the official kid stamp of approval, and is added to our family list of âplaces to visit again.â
We did not think about our State Parks Parking Permit for a few days. We camped a night at Loon Lake followed by a night in Mill City where we pillaged my mother's raspberry patch (thanks, Mom!). Then, en route to the Deschutes River State Recreation Area to camp, we found ourselves again in need of a lunch stop. Enter: Rooster Rock State Park. This state park, located 22 miles east of Portland, is a popular place for wind surfing with three miles of beach along the Columbia River. However, if you ask my three-year, what he remembers about Rooster Rock State Park, he will very excitedly launch into the story of âthe RACOON!â
While eating our lunch overlooking the Columbia River, we were approached by a very assertive ground squirrel. We were moderately unnerved, but able to deter the little guy from decimating our lunch with some shooing and such. But then, out of the corner of my eye, something was running towards us from WAY across the parking lot; it just kept coming, closer and closer. The ground squirrel let out a warning call and then skedaddled. And then, in a wild cacophony of my three-year old shrieking, my husband trying to chase it away, and the rest of us trying to gather up a shrieking three-year old, a pile of food and shove it ALL into the car, we determined it was a racoon. And I decided that Rooster Rock, albeit memorable, was just not going to be my favorite state park. We all finished our lunch from the car, glaring at the racoon while it sniffed about our picnic table, and then watched it nonchalantly climb up into a nearby tree. Let this be a reminder to us all: please do not feed wild animals.
After a stay over in Yakima, our third and final use of the Oregon State Parks Parking Permit came on our second to last day of the trip. We were driving south down Highway 97 to a campground near Sisters, Oregon, when we noticed that Smith Rock State Park was just ahead. My boys and I had never been so we pulled off the main highway and pulled out our trusty State Parks Parking Permit. Although it was a hot day in the nineties, the landscape did not disappoint! The river, the cliffs, the canyon: all beautiful. We also enjoyed people watching, as rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts from all over gathered to partake in the several thousand climbs that the park offers.
I have a lot of takeaways from this trip. That travel, near or far, is so beneficial for children and adults alike. That I appreciate now, more than ever, the road trips my parents took me on with my siblings. That itâs not really an adventure if the car doesnât smell like an overripe banana.
One of my unexpected takeaways from this trip is the treasure that is Oregon's State Parks. There were so many state parks where we did not stop. The truth is that we might not have stopped at the three that we did visit if we hadnât had the State Park Parking Permit with us. Not because we werenât interested, but honestly even just the hassle of figuring out how to pay while juggling children and limited cell reception can feel like a barrier. These parks are incredible and have valuable amenities that cost money to sustain. They are worth paying to visit. And for those who are not easily able to do that, I am grateful that Oregon State Parks and the State Library of Oregon have partnered to offer these passes to libraries across the state.
After my family adventures, I added to each of our libraryâs State Park Parking Permits a log. It is optional, but when you check out a parking pass, please consider taking just a minute to tell us where the pass has been, whether thatâs down to Harris Beach State Park or all the way across the state. And if youâd like to share your State Park Parking Pass adventure in the library newsletter, please email it to [email protected]
