Ranger defends Cascade Lakes parking crackdown; users weigh in

The Deschutes National Forest said Wednesday it has installed signs in and around recreation areas along Cascade Lakes Highway to better manage — and enforce — parking at heavily used sites.

Concerns for safety and resources have led forest officials to identify Sparks Lake, Broken Top, Todd Lake, Green Lakes, Devils Lake, and Tumalo Falls as areas that require greater enforcement of designated parking areas.

A district ranger explained the reasoning Thursday as we gathered reaction from folks enjoying the outdoors.

“The parking is so compact, and everyone is packed in so tightly that we couldn’t get in with a fire engine if we needed to put out a fire, and an ambulance couldn’t get through there,” said Bend-Fort Rock District Ranger Kevin Larkin said Thursday.

Parking lot capacity is regularly exceeded on weekends at these heavily used sites, which creates safety issues for the public as well as emergency vehicles that may need to access the areas, officials said.

Parking outside of designated areas also damages fragile soils, causing increased erosion and compaction as well as the deposition of sediment in waterways adjacent to parking areas and roads.

“A lot of times, when folks are really anxious to get to a really popular area, they’ll sort of invent their own parking areas, and what they do in the process of creating those areas, (is) damage soils, they trample vegetation,” Larkin said.

A hiker at Tumalo Falls expressed support for the parking crackdown.

“I think regulating parking is important to preserve the natural environment,” Janelle Meyer said. “But that being said, it’s a beautiful view, so making sure that people can see it and access it is also quite important.”

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when visiting these popular areas. Parking at these sites fills quickly in the busy summer season and the public is encouraged to carpool if traveling in large groups and have alternative plans to visit different destinations if the parking areas are full.

The installation of signs designating parking areas has already begun and will continue through the weekend.

The Forest Service will also be increasing patrols in the recreation areas as the new parking regulations are implemented and visitors parking outside of designated areas may be fined up to $5,000., officials said.

Larkin said such a hefty fine is not likely for a first-time offender who parks in an area by mistake, for example. That could be $50 or $100.