Cross-country skiing and a whole lot more!
The Winter Recreation Program provides Sno-Parks, cleared parking areas for vehicles in
close proximity to groomed and/or backcountry trails. There are two types of Sno-Parks,
those for snowmobiles and those for non-motorized sports. A handful offer both types of activities.
Formerly called Cross-Country Ski Sno-Parks, this type of Sno-Park has changed its name to
reflect the variety of non-motorized sports presently occurring on the trails and in play areas
for skijoring, snowshoeing and inner-tubing.
Some non-motorized sports Sno-Parks have groomed trails and some have backcountry trails.
Groomed trails include a tracked trail and sometimes a skating lane.
Remember that Sno-Park plowing cannot be maintained without highway plowing. For this reason,
under certain weather conditions, some Sno-Parks may not be cleared for vehicle parking until the
highways have been cleared. Keep in mind it is against the law to park on highway interchanges.
Permits for Non-motorized Sports Sno-Parks
To park in a non-motorized sports Sno-Park, it is necessary to purchase one (and sometimes two)
types of parking permits for your vehicle: a one-day permit, a seasonal permit and possibly a special
groomed trails permit. A Washington State licensed vehicle must have a Washington State Sno-Park permit.
Washington Sno-Park permits placed on vehicles registered in Washington are accepted in Oregon and Idaho.
To find out about Oregon Snow Park sites, contact the Oregon Department of Transportation at (503) 986-3006.
For information on Idaho Park-n-Ski lots, call Idaho Parks and Recreation at (208) 334-4199.
One-Day Permits- One-day permits are honored until midnight of the date written on the permit for parking at all Sno-Parks, including the designated Special Groomed Trails permit areas.
- Seasonal Permits
- A seasonal permit is non-transferable between vehicles. Purchasing a one-day permit for a second vehicle is an option. Some Sno-Parks require only a seasonal permit for season parking. Others require both the seasonal permit and the special groomed trail permit in order to use the designated Sno-Park.
- Special Groomed Trails Permits
- This permit, in conjunction with the seasonal permit, is required at eight sno-parks: Cabin Creek, Chiwawa, Crystal Springs, Hyak, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee, Mount Spokane and Nason Ridge. Snowmobile seasonal permit holders must purchase this sticker when using these Sno-Parks for non-motorized activities. Funds from its sale pay for more frequent trail grooming at these Sno-Parks and the maintenance and replacement of snow grooming equipment owned by Washington State Parks.
NOTE: All permits must be affixed to the lower left corner of the windshield (driver's side)
when the vehicle is parked in a designated Sno-Park area. If a valid permit is not properly displayed,
you will be subject to a fine. Permits are required when designated Sno-Park signs are posted. These signs are raised and removed at
different times at the start and finish of the winter season. Please obey posted signs to avoid a citation.
Proceeds from permit sales are used exclusively to maintain and improve non-motorized Sno-Park facilities. The permits pay for snow removal, sanitary facilities, trail grooming, trail signs, mapping, parking lot construction, education, enforcement, equipment and Sno-Park program administration.
Purchasing a non-motorized Sno-Park permit
Sno-Park permits are available beginning Nov. 1 through March 31 annually by completing the application below
and mailing it to the State Parks Winter Recreation Program or by purchasing from a retail location.
- You can complete an Application for a Sno-Park Permit, print it out and
send it along with payment to the Washington State Parks, Winter Recreation Program.
- Sno-Park permits are available at several retail locations, State Parks
region offices, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee, Mount Spokane and Fields Spring state parks, the Winter Recreation
Program (1111 Israel Road S.W., Olympia, WA 98504) or area USFS offices.
- Online:
Sno-Park permits
(Available online now)
A dollar handling fee is charged when Sno-Park permits are purchased from retail locations or online.
The fee for Sno-Park permits are:
| Permit Type |
Purchased from State Parks |
Purchased from retail vendor |
Purchased online |
| One-day |
$20 |
$21 |
$20 |
| Seasonal |
$40 |
$41 |
$40 |
| Special Groomed Trails |
$40 |
$41 |
$40 |
Additional information about Washingtion State Sno-Park Permits.
For information on how to become a permit vendor, contact the Winter Recreation Program at (360) 902-8684,
or e-mail winter@parks.wa.gov.
Groomed Trails
Some Sno-Parks have groomed trails. Their location depends on winter logging activity, snow conditions, movement of big game herds and other factors. Trails are groomed periodically by State Parks. Decisions on when to groom are based on snow conditions and on the availability of Sno-Park funds.
Special groomed trails receive frequent grooming, generally three times a week. Not all Sno-Parks have special groomed trails.
Dogs on Trails
Dogs punch holes in the trails with their paws, making paths difficult and dangerous to follow. Dogs, except those operating in a seeing-eye capacity, are prohibited on all groomed trails. Dogsledding and skijoring are allowed only on backcountry (non-groomed) and snowmobile trails.
Trail Tips
- Leave dogs at home.
- Don't walk on a groomed trail.
- When stopping, move to the side of the trail.
- Allow right of way to skiers coming downhill.
- Obey all signs and ski within your ability for safety's sake.
- Improve technique to increase your enjoyment.
- Ski in single file to the right of the trail.
- Sound a pleasant warning when passing a slower skier.
- If you fall, fill your hole.
- Ski only in the direction marked by arrows.
- Don't litter.
Most importantly, have fun!