New Parking Pass Program to Fund Oklahoma State Parks
Quote:
Press Release from Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department
OKLAHOMA CITY — On June 15, the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department will launch a new parking pass program at 22 Oklahoma State Parks.
Funds raised from the passes will allow the Oklahoma State Parks system to return park facilities and infrastructure to an acceptable standard and maintain them at that standard.
“It is deeply important to all of us to keep Oklahoma State Parks affordable while providing the best possible experience for our visitors,” said Jerry Winchester, executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department. “The need to implement this parking pass program was not made lightly, but it was a necessary step to help slow the deferred maintenance trend. We have made great progress in streamlining processes and reducing costs, but we have to also increase our resources in order for our state parks to be of the quality that Oklahomans expect and deserve.
“Improving the parks will also better position us to attract visitors from outside the state, which will bring dollars into the communities surrounding the parks.”
The passes will start at $10 for a one-day pass for a single vehicle. Vehicles with an Oklahoma or Oklahoma tribal license plate will receive a 20 percent discount, making their pass just $8 per vehicle for a single day.
Oklahoma residents age 62 and older and their spouses will receive a 100% discount on the pass. Honorably discharged veterans will also receive a 100% discount, and individuals certified by state or federal law as totally disabled and their spouses will receive a 50% discount. Discounts cannot be combined, and individuals’ eligibility must be verified by park staff.
Three-day, one-week and annual passes will also be available. The annual pass will work for all 22 parks. Its cost will be $75, with a discount rate of $60 available for vehicles with Oklahoma or Oklahoma tribal license plates. Buses will be assessed a $25 per day fee regardless of license plate origin.
Free parking for one vehicle will be included in lodging and camping reservations at each park. State park golf courses and some concessionaire areas will be exempt from the parking fee, and some restaurants and other concessionaires may offer parking validation.
“Our park staff have been making do for many years without adequate funding,” said Oklahoma State Parks Director Kris Marek. “We anticipate that this program will provide the resources they need to make our parks the best they can be. We are excited about the improvements this program will provide and look forward to showing Oklahomans some of what we have in store for them in the coming months.”
Oklahoma State Parks has already begun projects associated with the new park improvement effort, including new or improved restaurant facilities at five parks, the acquisition and improvement of additional campsites at Little Sahara State Park, the acquisition of cabins at Fort Cobb State Park, paving improvements at several parks and the improvement and replacement of restroom facilities systemwide. These projects are only the beginning; many other improvements are in the planning/contracting stage.
Guests will have several ways to pay for parking, including:
• In advance online through a link from TravelOK.com.
• Upon arrival via any smartphone by texting PARK to 504504. Guests will be texted a link to make contactless payment via Apple Pay, Google Pay or any debit/credit card. For more information on text to pay, visit premiumparking.com/text-pay.
• Through the Premium Parking app, which is available as a free download for iPhone and Android devices. To get the app, visit premiumparking.com/mobile-parking.
• Via pay machines at park offices and at other locations around the participating parks. Machines will take credit/debit cards and cash but do not give change. Guests will need to enter their license plate number.
Attached is a list of frequently asked questions with more information on the parking pass program.
Full list of state parks participating in the parking pass program
Arrowhead Area at Lake Eufaula State Park
Beavers Bend State Park
Boiling Springs State Park
Cherokee Landing State Park
Fort Cobb State Park
Foss State Park
Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park
Great Plains State Park
Great Salt Plains State Park
Greenleaf State Park
Keystone State Park
Lake Eufaula State Park
Lake Murray State Park
Lake Texoma State Park
Lake Thunderbird State Park
Lake Wister State Park
Natural Falls State Park
Osage Hills State Park
Robbers Cave State Park
Sequoyah State Park
Tenkiller State Park
Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park
