Parking Permit Fee Increases
Hood River County Forestry (HRCF) has been instructed by the 2026 County Budget Committee to increase the cost of the annual & daily parking permits, effective July 1, 2026,to help cover administrative overhead costs for our recreation trails. The HRCF Recreational Trails Committee reviewed the fee structure at the June 5th meeting and, in consideration of the background provided by the County Administrator, advised on the changes.
New 2026 prices
- Annual Permits:$45 (available online & at vendors)
- OHV Annual Permits:$35 w/ ATV Sticker at OHV vendors. (not available online)
- Daily Permits:$10 per day (available only online)
- Parking Permit Citation:$100 (includes annual pass) starting July 1, 2026.
An additional credit card processing fee will be collected by Stripe for all online orders.
Why the increase?
Hood River County (HRC) projects a $2.7 million budget shortfall over the next year. Rising operational costs, stagnant revenue, and a decline in federal funding are key drivers. Information regarding HRC 26/27 budget can be found here: Budget Meeting Information - Official Website for Hood River County, OR
The HRCF Recreational Trails Team does not receive funding from the County general fund, so parking permit fees are a major source of revenue. This increase is part of HRCF's Recreational Trails Team's broader effort to sustain & grow multi-use recreational trail access, manage congestion, and adapt to financial pressures.
Tips for visitors
- Buy annual permits now: Parking Passes | Hood River County
- Annual permits are transferable between vehicles, but only valid in the vehicle in which they are displayed.
- Annual permits are valid at all HRCF Staging Areas from the date of purchase until December 31steach year.
- The fee paid for parking permits is a parking fee, as that term is defined in ORS 105.672(1)(c). It is not a fee for entry upon, recreational use, or access to any County property or Fee Parking Zone.
Looking forward
You can expect to hear more about concepts aimed at addressing the County’s budget dilemma. Some of these concepts would rely on residents, while others will focus on the 4 million annual visitors to our community. We encourage everyone to attend public meetings on the matter as they are scheduled and contribute to finding solutions.