Audit finds missed safety checks at Oregon state parks

A new state audit found safety inspections are not consistently being completed or documented at some Oregon state parks.

The audit, released by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Audits Division, examined operations at overnight campgrounds and found required inspections at multiple parks were missed or undocumented – in some cases for years.

“Oregonians love their state parks and have been able to safely enjoy them for decades,” Secretary of State Tobias Read said. “The findings in this audit will help protect that important legacy and our public dollars.”

Auditors found that buildings used by employees, many of which are also accessed by the public, volunteers, and contractors, were not consistently inspected as required under OSHA rules and agency policy.

At least one location had no inspection records for three years.

Beyond safety inspections, the audit also identified significant problems with how the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) tracks its assets.

According to the report, the agency’s asset management system contains unreliable and incomplete data, including missing records, untracked equipment, and items incorrectly labeled as inactive or missing.

Auditors say those gaps increase the risk of lost property, inaccurate financial reporting, and inadequate insurance coverage.

“These problems risk Oregonians’ safety and taxpayer money through avoidable lawsuits and fines,” the Secretary of State’s office wrote in a press release.

The audit issued eight recommendations, including the need to establish consistent inspection protocols, improve training and accountability, and replace the agency’s outdated asset management system.

In response, a spokesperson for OPRD said it agrees with the findings and has already begun making changes.

“OPRD thanks and acknowledges the audit’s findings and appreciates the Audits Division’s work,” said Interim Director Stefanie Coons. “The safety of our visitors and the protection of Oregon’s state parks have always guided our decisions, and we remain committed to strengthening the systems that support that responsibility.”

The agency says improvements were already underway during the audit and include updating policies, strengthening safety practices, and modernizing its asset tracking system. Officials say new fees will help fund upgrades to ensure the system is functional moving forward.

Oregon’s state park system sees roughly 51 million visitors each year and includes more than 250 properties, over 2,000 buildings, and a wide range of infrastructure, from campgrounds and restrooms to roads, docks, and historic structures.

The Department does not regularly receive state general fund dollars. It is primarily funded through visitor fees, lottery funds, and recreational vehicle registration fees.

Auditors say improving oversight will be key to ensuring those assets and the people who use them are properly protected.

Read the full audit below: