These popular Oregon state parks will see closures for campground work, other improvements (2024)

Improvements being made to eight Oregon State Parks require them to temporarily close or partially close starting in September. The construction work, from replacing aging infrastructure to adding bathrooms and showers, is funded by Oregon-issued GO Bonds and other sources.

The GO (general obligation) bonds were approved by the Oregon State Legislature in 2021. The $50 million investment for nine projects will help revitalize state parks and campgrounds. Visit the Go Bond website (stateparks.oregon.gov) for a complete list of the projects through 2026.

Some of the work is being supplemented by Oregon State Parks and Recreation funds. The one-time Go Bonds allowed the department to identify multiple projects to complete on a large scale. More typically, park improvements are funded by Lottery dollars and revenue from visitors and RV fees, and they happen over time in smaller pieces, according to state parks officials.

“We thank visitors for their patience and continued support as we work to repair aging infrastructure and improve facilities at several state parks,” State Parks and Recreation Department Director Lisa Sumption said in a news release.

Here are dates, which can change, and locations for the construction closures and partial closures:

• Sept. 16: Milo McIver State Park near Estacada is scheduled to close its campground through March 2025 to refurbish a restroom building and repave. The campground, group camps and hiker/biker area will be closed. The day-use areas will remain open. Read about Milo McIver’s robust assortment of recreational opportunities along the Clackamas River.
• Sept. 16: Silver Falls State Park near Silverton is scheduled to close its campground except cabins 1-10 through June 30, 2025, to allow crews to replace the B-Loop restroom and repave A Loop. During the closure, all other park facilities will remain open, including all trails, trailheads, day-use areas and South Falls Lodge. Next year work will begin on adding a new campground and visitor center as part of the GO Bond work at the park. Read about the latest trail at Silver Falls with a parking lot, play areas and waterfall viewpoint.
• Sept. 16: Bullards Beach State Park in Bandon is scheduled to close its campground except the horse camp through March 17, 2025, for upgrades to the main sewer line and lift station to accommodate increased demand and reduce service disruptions. All campsites, overnight restroom facilities, yurts, meeting hall and dump station will be closed. The day-use area will remain open with limited disruptions. Read about the Coquille River Lighthouse erected in 1896 on a rocky edge of the park.
• Nov. 1, 2024: Nehalem Bay State Park in Nehalem is scheduled to close the entire park including the campground and day-use areas through June 30, 2025, to install new water and electrical lines, add restroom and shower buildings, renovate nine campsites to improve accessibility and repave and add traffic calming improvements to the park entry road. Read the story about Fort Stevens having enough attractions to fill several days, if not a full week by Jamie Hale of The Oregonian/OregonLive.
• Late fall/early winter 2024: Fort Stevens in Hammond is scheduled to close campground loops L, M, N, O and C as well as cabins and yurts and the South Lake restroom through 2025 for wastewater upgrades, electrical upgrades, paving work, water system upgrades and a new restroom building. All other campsites and day-use areas will remain open. The historic Guardhouse will be a part of the work that will include roof restoration, exterior cleaning and repair and upgrades to basic utilities.

Several parks have scheduled closures or partial closures starting in 2025 for construction including the campground at Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site near Mt. Vernon, the campground at Collier Memorial State Park in Chiloquin and the campground and day-use area at Cape Lookout State Park in Tillamook.

Visit individual park webpages at stateparks.oregon.gov for more information as the construction projects get closer to their start dates.

— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman