Waxmyrtle Trailhead

Dunes City, Oregon Coast

Recreation Passes & Permits

Pick the best pass for your plans! Find information on required federal, state and county licenses, passes and permits for parks and recreational areas or activities.

Many permits you can purchase online. It is advisable to print or pick up your pass from a local vendor or the agency, before heading out as many permits may not be obtainable onsite. Park permit payment stations may require exact change, only except cards, only except cash, may be closed or even be out-of-order.

Identifying and securing the right pass for your plans may be confusing. We can help you figure out which pass you need for which park and which recreational activity — either give us a call or come see us in person at the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Center.

What passes are sold at the Visitor Center?

What are the most popular and useful passes?

Popular Passes

These passes are the most frequently requested passes.

Lane County Parks Pass (visiting local county parks)
Oregon State Parks Pass (visiting Oregon State parks)
Northwest Forest Pass (visiting Federal parks in Oregon)
ATV Permits
Waterway Access and Aquatic Invasive Species Permit (for kayaks and paddle boards)
Sno-Park Pass (seasonal parking in the Cascades)

Where else may I purchase permits?

Many permits and passes are available online or sold at outdoor outfitters or government agencies. Some retailers may include regional Bi-marts, Cabela's, Forest Service District offices, markets and bait shops. Check with retailers to confirm which pass they sell and their hours of operation.

It is always better to plan ahead and purchase your passes before heading out because many passes cannot be bought on-site. And if they can, payment stations may require exact change, only except cards, only except cash, may be closed or even be out-of-order.

Understanding Park Passes

What Type of Pass Do I Need?

Federal Passes & Permits

Federal

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service/Pacific Northwest Region website lists recreation sites that require passes, explanations of pass types and fees, and the option to purchase online. There may be a pass or day-use fee required for federal parks in the Siuslaw National Forest, Umpqua National Forest and the Willamette National Forest.

Types of passes include:

Federal Interagency Passes
Oregon Pacific Coast Passport
Recreation Passes (day and annual)
Northwest Forest Pass
This is a Federal pass that provides access to participating fee sites in the Willamette National Forest, the Siuslaw National Forest and the Umpqua National Forest. The annual pass is $30.
Christmas Tree Permit
This is a Federal permit for the Willamette National Forest which allows for the cutting of one tree up to 15 feet in height in designated areas. There is a maximum of five permits per household. Each permit is $5.

Special Federal Passes

Fourth graders may be interested in the Every Kid in a Park program.

Fourth graders are eligible for a free holiday tree permit — please see Every Kid Outdoors to obtain your fourth grade park pass and order through Recreation.gov. Fourth grade holiday tree permits are not managed at the Visitor Center.

Seniors may be interested in the Lifetime passes.

State Passes & Permits

Oregon State

The Oregon State Parks website lists which Oregon State Parks require passes and where passes may be purchased.

Oregon Parks Permit
An Oregon state park permit required for parking at State fee sites. If you don't have an annual pass, the fee is $5 a day and may be purchased at one of the parks. The one year pass is $30 and the two year pass is $50.
Oregon Pacific Highway
This is an Oregon state permit required for parking at State and Federal fee sites along Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. This includes stops at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Heceta Head Lighthouse. If you are taking an Oregon Coast road trip, this is an excellent pass to have. The five day pass is $10 and the annual pass is $35.
ATV permits
Required for operation of ATVs

The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife website provides information on fishing, shellfish and hunting licenses. Permits are required for these activities. Online purchase available.

The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website issues Sno-Park permits specific to designated Sno-Park parking areas during November 1 - April 30.

This includes Salt Creek Falls, Gold Lake and Waldo Lake Sno-Parks. The DMV website explains the Sno-Park Permit, where it is applicable, fees and how to purchase. They also offer snowmobile permits. To park at designated seasonal Sno-Parks, a permit must be displayed in the windshield of vehicles. You can order your permit online or purchase at our Visitor Center in downtown Eugene.

County Passes & Permits

Lane County

The Lane County Parks website provides Lane County information including parking passes, special use permits and marina information.

Lane County Parks Permit
A list of Lane County Parks requiring permits and the ability to purchase online. This is a Lane County parks parking pass which includes the majority (but not all) of the most popular Lane County-managed parks. For example, Armitage Park, Baker Bay Park, Heceta Beach, Howard Buford Recreational Area (Mt Pisgah), Perkins Peninsula, Orchard Point and Richardson Park. Annual passes are $40 (senior annual passes are $20) and day passes are $5.

City Passes & Permits

All passes and permit prices and availability subject to change without notice.