Washington State Parks News Releases

News Release 11-072

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director

DNR, State Parks announce changes to winter recreation requirements
Some areas require a Sno-Park permit; others will need a Discover Pass

OLYMPIA – Dec. 7, 2011 – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announce changes in requirements to visiting winter recreation areas in Washington state. The changes affect whether a Sno-Park permit or a Discover Pass will be required to access state-managed winter recreation areas and Sno-Parks.

Visitors who have a current seasonal Sno-Park permit will not need to purchase a Discover Pass to visit a designated Sno-Park area between November 1 and March 31 for winter recreation activities. The seasonal Sno-Park permit is $40. A one-day Sno-Park permit is $20. Some non-motorized Sno-Parks require a Special Groomed Trail sticker for an additional $40. For more information, visit www.parks.wa.gov/winter/nonmotorparks/.

DNR manages several winter recreation trailheads, which are no longer part of the Sno-Park system. For these areas, visitors will need an annual or day-use Discover Pass at the following:
• The Ahtanum Winter Recreation Areas in Yakima County
• Lily Lake in Chelan County
• Rattlesnake in Yakima County
• Manastash in Kittitas County (Note: Manastash is not open this season due to storm damage from last spring)

An annual Discover Pass costs $30 and a day-use pass is $10. (Transaction fees apply when purchased from a retail provider.)

In addition, those who purchase a one-day Sno-Park permit will also need an annual or one-day Discover Pass to visit the following locations:
• Crystal Springs Sno-Park
• Hyak Sno-Park
• Easton Reload Sno-Park
• Lake Easton State Park
• Lake Wenatchee State Park
• Fields Spring State Park
• Mount Spokane State Park
• Mount Tahoma Trail System (managed by DNR)

For more information about the Discover Pass, including where to purchase the pass, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov or call toll free 1-866-320-9933.

For more information about Sno-Park permits, visit www.parks.wa.gov/winter/, call 360-902-8684, or send an email to winter@parks.wa.gov.

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