So You Don’t Have to.
More and more people, like us, are drawn to the call of the wild. However, this growing enthusiasm has brought challenges such as trash, new social trails, and abandoned dog waste, all chipping away at the natural character of wilderness and the experience it offers. While outdoor spaces are our collective home, a decrease in federal funding for land management and increased reliance on nonprofits to fill the gaps have led to access restrictions—and this is only the beginning.
Wholeheartedly, we have a choice: accept it or do something about it. We can all play a part. For more information on how you can make a difference, visit our RESPECT Your Recreation ethos page.
| Permit Name | What It Covers | Who Needs It? | Cost | Where to Get It | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌲 NW Forest Pass | Parking at trailheads in Oregon and Washington national forests. | Hikers, climbers, trail users in national forests. | $30/year, $5/day | USDA Forest Service, local vendors like REI | Ideal for regular visitors to Oregon & Washington national forests. |
| 🏞️ America the Beautiful Pass | Entry to all federally managed lands (national parks, forests, BLM, etc.). | Frequent visitors to federal lands. | $80/year | USGS Store, REI | Best value for anyone visiting multiple federal sites—valid nationwide. |
| 🦫 Oregon State Parks Day-Use Permit | Parking at most Oregon state parks. | State park visitors. | $30/year or $50/2 years, $10/day | Oregon State Parks, local vendors | Day-pass prices increased in 2025. Annual passes are more cost-effective. |
| 🏔️ Central Cascades Wilderness Permit | Day-use and overnight access to designated wilderness areas. | Hikers, backpackers. | $1/day, $6/overnight | Recreation.gov | Insider Tip: Members can access exclusive tricks for securing permits. Join today! |
| ❄️ Snow Park Permit | Winter parking at designated Oregon Sno-Parks. | Winter recreationists. | $25/year, $5/day | Oregon DMV, local vendors | Required Nov–April. Purchase early to avoid delays during the winter season. |
Do you own a paddleboard or a kayak? Chances are you need a permit for that.
| What Are You Using? | How Big is Your Craft? | Where Are You From? | Do You Need a Permit? | How Much Does It Cost? | Important to Know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏄♂️ Paddleboard | 10 feet or longer | In-state or Out-of-state | ✅ Yes | $7 for 7 days $19 for 1 year $32 for 2 years |
Required for all paddleboards 10+ feet. Keep a digital copy handy. |
| 🚣♂️ Kayak | 10 feet or longer | In-state or Out-of-state | ✅ Yes | $7 for 7 days $19 for 1 year $32 for 2 years |
Fines of $115 apply if permits are missing during inspections. |
| 🛶 Canoe | Any size | In-state or Out-of-state | ✅ Yes | $7 for 7 days $19 for 1 year $32 for 2 years |
Applies to inflatable canoes over 10 feet. |
| 🎈 Inflatable Rafts | 10 feet or longer | In-state or Out-of-state | ✅ Yes | $7 for 7 days $19 for 1 year $32 for 2 years |
Includes inflatables tied together that exceed 10 feet in total length. |
| 🛶 Rowboat | 10 feet or longer | In-state or Out-of-state | ✅ Yes | $7 for 7 days $19 for 1 year $32 for 2 years |
Even personal-use rowboats require permits if over 10 feet. |
| 🛥️ Rental Craft | Any size | In-state or Out-of-state | ❌ No | Covered by rental agency | Ensure the rental company provides a valid permit. |
| 👶 Children Under 13 | Operating any craft | In-state or Out-of-state | ❌ No | N/A | Exempt from permit requirements. |
| 🌍 Bordering State Residents | Entering Oregon from bordering state | Out-of-state | ❌ No | N/A | Exempt when launching into Oregon from their home state. |
Failing to carry a Waterway Access Permit for your non-motorized watercraft (10 feet or longer) can result in a $115 fine. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), in partnership with the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB), conducts regular compliance operations statewide, including inspections at popular boating locations. Recently, enforcement actions were carried out in Central Oregon at Cove Palisades State Park and in Bend, where ODFW set up “stings” to ensure boaters had proper permits and were following aquatic invasive species protocols.
Required for accessing any federally manged lands such as national forests, national parks, and national monuments.
Required for accessing any state manged lands such as state parks, state forests, and wildlife programs (such as hunting).
Certain areas require additional permits beyond standard federal and state permits. These include limited access permits for popular trailheads, permits for foraging and forest products, recreational vehicle registration, and waterway access permits, among others.
Covers entrance fees at national parks and federal recreational lands.
Available for U.S. citizens aged 62 and older, offering lifetime access.
Free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens with permanent disabilities.
Earned with 250 hours of volunteer service on public lands.
Required for parking at trailheads in national forests in the Pacific Northwest.
Explore the beauty of Oregon's state parks with a convenient day-use pass.
Secure your spot at snow parks for a hassle-free winter adventure.
Gain access to Oregon's waterways for paddling and boating activities.
Ensure you're ready for fishing and hunting with the necessary licenses.
Get your ATV permits to explore off-road trails safely and legally.
Find answers to common questions about outdoor permits.
For federally managed lands, such as national forests, parks, and monuments, a day-use or overnight-use permit is often required. Additionally, some areas may require special permits, such as the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit or timed-entry permits for Lava River Cave. For State Parks, a day-use permit is typcailly required for parking, though some state parks don’t require a permit (Pilot Butte, Cline Falls State Parks for example).
To obtain a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit, visit Recreation.gov and search for “Central Cascades Wilderness.” Permits are required for all overnight stays and for day use at 19 specific trailheads in the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, and Three Sisters Wilderness areas between June 15 and October 15.
Overnight Permits:
•Advance Reservations: Approximately 40% of overnight permits are released on the first Tuesday in April at 7:00 a.m. PDT.
•Rolling Release: The remaining 60% become available seven days before the trip date at 7:00 a.m. PDT.
Day-Use Permits:
•10-Day Release: 40% of day-use permits are released 10 days before the hiking date at 7:00 a.m. PDT.
•2-Day Release: The remaining 60% are released two days before the hiking date at 7:00 a.m. PDT.
Day-use permits cost $1 per person, and overnight permits are $6 per group (up to 12 people). These fees are non-refundable.
Ensure you carry a printed or digital copy of your permit during your trip and adhere to all wilderness regulations to protect these natural areas
If visiting Smith Rock State Park to climb, a $10 day-use fee is required for parking as of 2025. For climbing on federally managed lands, such as areas within national forests, a recreation pass such as a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is typically required. Different crags and different regulations, mountainproject.com is a great resource for additional information.
