For decades, Oregon’s recreational immunity law has protected landowners, including cities and counties, from lawsuits if someone got injured while using their land for recreation. This law incentivized landowners to open their properties, creating the vast network of trails that make the Oregon Coast such a unique and incredible destination.

But access to Oregon’s recreational trails was threatened by a lawsuit in June 2024, when an Oregon appeals court ruled that the city of Newport could be held liable after a woman broke her leg while using a trail bridge. The ruling caused a flood of uncertainty about liability on trails, and led to the closing of at least 22 trails.

This court case challenged the state’s long-standing recreational immunity law, jeopardizing access to countless trails and threatening the future of tourism. However, a recent legislative victory offers a sigh of relief and a chance to develop a more permanent solution.

In the 2025 session, we are watching bills related to recreational immunity. Specifically, Senate Bill 179 would restore recreational immunity protections for cities, counties, and government agencies that allow public access to their land for recreation. This would protect these entities from liability in cases of injury sustained by individuals recreating on their land.

The Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) is part of a coalition advocating for this bill, alongside the Oregon Trails Coalition, Salmonberry Trail, League of Oregon Cities, and the Association of Oregon Counties.

Recreational immunity is essential not only for local outdoor enthusiasts but also for visitors who come to the coast for recreation. We strongly advocate for expanding this bill to include private landowners in addition to public lands. Ensuring private landowners have the same protections as public entities would enable the continued access of many of our beaches and trails, benefiting both visitors and locals.

What you can do: 

Testify! The hearing for Senate Bill 179 is scheduled for February 19 at 3:00 PM in Hearing Room E in Salem.

Ways to show your support:

What you can say:

As stakeholders in Oregon Coast tourism, we support extending recreational immunity protections to all recreational lands open to the public for free use, including privately owned properties. Expanding this protection will help ensure greater access to recreation along the coast while mitigating legal risks for landowners who allow public access.

PS: We’re sending out a special-edition bi-weekly newsletter with the latest Legislative updates. Sign up here!