Clackamas County, OR Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Advance booking
- Minimum 3 days for online reservations
- Large-group threshold
- 10+ campsites need Parks Admin Office booking
- Balance due
- 30 days after booking (large groups)
- Peak-season cap
- 30 campsites max per park per date
- Late checkout fine
- $97 under § 6.06.040(E)
- Checkout time
- 1:00 p.m. following day
Summary
Clackamas County requires advance booking for campsites, picnic shelters and day-use group gatherings in its parks. Online reservations for campsites and picnic areas must be made at least three days ahead, and groups reserving ten or more campsites must book through the Parks Administration Office with a deposit due at booking and the balance due within thirty days.
B. Online reservations for camp sites, sheltered and non-sheltered picnic areas must be made a minimum of 3 days in advance. Payment for reservations of picnic areas and campsites are due in full at the time of booking unless booking ten (10) or more campsites.
1. Reservations for ten (10) or more campsites must be made through the Parks Administration Office and requires a deposit of the reservation fee and first night's rental fee due at the time of booking the reservation. The remaining balance is due thirty (30) days after making the reservation. The Parks Division reserves the right to cancel a reservation of ten (10) or more campsites, without notification, if the final payment has not been paid as per policy.
2. No group may book more than thirty (30) campsites for the same date(s) in any one park on Memorial Day weekend, or during the peak use season from July 1 through Labor Day weekend.
Full Breakdown
040, the Parks Division sets reservation terms for every county park, forest and recreation area, including Barton, Carver, Feyrer, Metzler and Eagle Fern. Anyone booking a campsite, sheltered picnic area or non-sheltered picnic area online must reserve at least three days before arrival, and payment is due in full at booking unless the group is reserving ten or more campsites. Large-group bookings of ten or more sites must go through the Parks Administration Office rather than the online system; those reservations require a deposit covering the reservation fee and the first night's rental at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due thirty days later.
The Parks Division can cancel an unpaid large-group reservation without notice if the balance is not received. No group, regardless of size, may hold more than thirty campsites in the same park on the same date during Memorial Day weekend or the peak season running July 1 through Labor Day weekend. Cancellations of campsite bookings made four or more days before arrival receive a refund minus the reservation fee and a cancellation fee; cancelling within three days forfeits the first night's fee too. Picnic-area cancellations use a fifteen-day cutoff: cancel fifteen or more days out for a partial refund, or lose the entire fee inside fourteen days. 040(F).
Violations & Fines
Occupying a campsite assigned to someone else carries a $97 citation under § 6.06.030(M), and failing to vacate by the 1:00 p.m. checkout deadline draws the same $97 fine under § 6.06.040(E) in addition to an extra night's camping fee. Vehicles left in a reserved site past checkout without the reserved party's authorization can be towed immediately at the owner's expense. Citations are issued by Sheriff's deputies or designated Parks Division staff under § 6.06.060, and unpaid or unanswered citations double after twenty days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead do I need to reserve a picnic shelter or campsite in Clackamas County?
Can I book a large group event or family reunion at a county park?
What happens if I don't vacate my campsite by checkout time?
Can I get a refund if I cancel my reservation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
Compare Clackamas County to another location·View the Oregon special events & permits overview
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