Portland, OR. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, will transition to a fully cashless fee collection system at several recreation sites near the John Day Lock and Dam beginning April 15, 2026.
The change applies to Plymouth Campground, LePage Campground, and LePage Day Use Park, three popular destinations along the Columbia River.
Under the new system, visitors will no longer be able to pay with cash. Instead, payments will be accepted through credit cards, debit cards, and digital platforms. Officials say the move is intended to streamline operations, reduce administrative costs, and ensure more revenue is directed toward maintaining and improving the recreation sites.
“Moving to a cashless system allows us to be better stewards of the public’s funds,” said Natural Resource Manager Sylvia Gentilcore. “By reducing the costs associated with handling cash, we can invest more of our resources back into the parks for upkeep and upgrades.”
At Plymouth and LePage campgrounds, visitors can pay by card at entrance booths between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or make reservations in advance through Recreation.gov.
For LePage Day Use Park, visitors may pay at the campground entrance booth, purchase an activity pass online, or use the app’s “Scan & Pay” feature.
Officials cautioned that cellular connectivity in the area is limited. Visitors planning to use mobile payment options are encouraged to download the Recreation.gov app before arriving.
The Corps said the transition reflects a broader effort to modernize operations while maintaining high-quality recreational experiences along the Columbia River corridor.
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