Here’s a summer deal worth knowing about: Jefferson County residents with a library card may now be able to check out a free parking permit to visit any Oregon State Park — including The Cove Palisades State Park, one of the crown jewels of Jefferson County’s outdoor recreation landscape.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and the State Library of Oregon have partnered to distribute free parking day-use permits through public libraries across the state. The program launched this week and is available now.
How It Works
Both OPRD and the State Library contributed permits to the program, with 200 parking passes distributed to 82 library locations statewide. Each library received permits based on its proximity to a state park with paid parking and expressed interest from local staff. Permits can be checked out just like a book or DVD.
Once checked out, the permit is valid for day-use parking at any Oregon State Park that charges a parking fee. That includes The Cove Palisades, which sits just south of Culver in Jefferson County and is one of Central Oregon’s most popular boating and recreation destinations.
Why It Matters Locally
The Cove Palisades draws visitors from across the Pacific Northwest every summer for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and hiking. Day-use parking fees can add up for families making multiple trips during the season, making this program a meaningful savings opportunity for Jefferson County households.
The park’s campgrounds are open from March through October, and the lake’s warm water and reliable sunshine make it a high-demand destination through the summer. A new $10 per-use fee for the dump station also took effect earlier this year.
Limited Supply — Act Quickly
The program is first-come, first-served at each participating library, and with only 200 permits statewide, availability will be limited. Residents are encouraged to contact their local Jefferson County library branch to find out whether permits are available and how to check one out.
For more information about the program, visit the Oregon State Library or Oregon Parks and Recreation Department online. To plan your visit to The Cove Palisades, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.
This is the kind of creative partnership that makes public resources go further for working families — and a good reason to keep that library card handy.