How to Visit a Sno-Park
The snow is falling in the mountains and your go-to summer trails are now inaccessible, but you still want to get out there and explore. Sno-parks offer some of the most accessible and safe winter recreation opportunities across Washington, and chances are there’s a sno-park near you. Before you grab your snowshoes or cross-country skis, there are a few things to know about visiting a sno-parks. Go equipped with the right permit, knowledge of trail etiquette and the right winter safety gear, and you’ll have a great time exploring one of these winter wonderlands. And anytime you head into the snow, always check the latest avalanche conditions and weather forecast.
A grooming machine at Pinegrass Ridge sno-park. Photo by Birdman.
What is a sno-park?
Simply put sno-parks are parking lots that are cleared of snow during the winter. They provide convenient vehicle access to all kinds of winter recreation opportunities across Washington--everything from snowshoeing, nordic skiing, sledding, snowmobiling and even dogsledding depending on the specific sno-park. The parking lots are managed by Washington State Parks, but the adjoining trails often cross between state and federal land and are managed by various land managers.
What’s the difference between a motorized and non-motorized sno-park?
Non-motorized sno-parks do not allow snowmobiles whereas motorized sno-parks allow snowmobiles plus non-motorized activities like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Each trail system is different, but expect to share your route with snowmobiles if you choose to snowshoe at a motorized sno-park, and follow trail etiquette by snowshoeing or skiing on the right hand edge of groomed snowmobile trails, never on the groomed surface.
Many sno-parks offer great snowshoeing opportunities. Knowing the difference between motorized and non-motorized sno-parks will help you plan a trip that's right for you. WTA Archive.
Which sno-park permit do I need?
You need a permit to park at a sno-park between December 1 and March 31 — the window may be extended into November or April at the land manager's discretion. Learn which permit is right for you and purchase your permit online starting November 1.
- ONE-DAY PERMIT
$25 per day. Valid at all sno-parks including special-groomed trails until midnight on the day purchased. - SEASONAL PERMIT
$50 per season. Seasonal Permits are valid at all regular Sno-Park locations. For special groomed trail locations you'll need this pass plus the special groomed trails permit (below). If you know you'll be going out two or more times it's a better deal to buy the seasonal permit. - SPECIAL GROOMED TRAILS PERMIT
$70 add-on per season. Certain Sno-Parks are designated as having special groomed trails. For annual access to these areas you need both a seasonal permit (above) and this add-on permit. The special groomed trail locations are Cabin Creek, Chiwawa, Crystal Springs, Hyak, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee, Mount Spokane and Nason Ridge where trails are groomed for cross-country skiers.
The revenue from permits pays for parking lot plowing, trail grooming, education and ongoing maintenance of this program.
Where are sno-parks?
Sno-parks can be found in all the snowy parts of Washington. Washington State Parks has a complete list of motorized and non-motorized sno-parks.
Snowshoers should always stay off groomed surfaces to avoid damaging them for other users. Photo by Jason Hanson.
What is the etiquette at sno-parks?
Sno-parks are open to many different user groups and various types of trails exist for these different groups. Knowing where to snowshoe or ski without damaging groomed trails is an important bit of winter know-how.
Groomed vs. non-groomed trails:
Groomed trails are corridors in the snow that have been smoothed over by machines for a specific type of travel--either nordic skiing or snowmobiling. Groomed trails look like flat, smooth snowy roads. If the trail is intended for nordic skiing the machine also cuts two parallel grooves in the snow where the skis go. Skate skiers, hikers and snowshoers should stay off of these surfaces to avoid creating holes or other irregularities in the snow that will trip up other users. That doesn’t mean you can’t travel along these corridors, just do so on the ungroomed snow on the right hand side of the trail.
Skiers:
Skiers should slow down when passing snowshoers and announce their presence.
Yielding:
Skiers and snowshoers should yield to snowmobiles and dogsled teams.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on groomed portions of trails or at Hyak sno-park. Check the rules for the specific sno-park you plan to visit to check if dogs are allowed. If dogs are allowed, it's a good idea to keep them leashed.
When do sno-parks open?
Sno-parks operate between November 1 and April 30, and all visitors must have a permit to park at a sno-park during that time.