Oregon State Parks came close to a record number of visitors in 2023, with Silver Falls State Park among the busiest.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department officials reported that total parks visits were at an estimated 52.2 million a year ago. That’s the second highest figure ever, beaten only by the 53 million during the post-pandemic parks binge of 2021.
Overnight camping was down slightly statewide with 2.91 million campers compared to 2.97 million a year ago. The 2023 camping figure is the fourth best, wth the 3.02 million in 2021 the top figure.
Silver Falls State Park drew 1.18 million day-use visitors in 2023 as well as an additional 267,000 at its North Falls permit purchasing kiosk. The total is up substantially from the 877,000 that came to the park during the 2020 COVID-19 year, and it is just under the record of 1.2 million in 2019. The North Falls number is a record.
The camping numbers show 73,765 at Silver Falls, a couple of thousand above 2021 and 2022, but well below the record year of 2017 (80,124). Camping figures should be poised for a possible uptick given the park is adding approximately 50 spaces at its North Canyon area.
Using nearly $12 million in state general obligation bonds aimed at improving parks and campgrounds, Silver Falls also has added a new parking lot, restrooms, an informational kiosk and permit pay station as well as a new trail that links the North Canyon area with North Falls.The campground construction is set to begin in April 2025.
Eleven facilities topped 1 million in day-use visitors in 2023, led by Harris Beach at 1.78 million. Silver Falls, with its 1.4 million is fourth, with Valley of the Rogue (1.57 million) and Oswald West (1.48) in between.
The statewide camping leader is Fort Stevens at 305,000 followed by South Beach at 217,000.
– James Day
