Permit requirements differ significantly between snowmobile Sno-Parks and
non-motorized sports Sno-Parks.
Requirements for Snowmobile
Sno-Parks in Washington State
All snowmobiles must be registered through Washington State Department
of Licensing (DOL) or a licensing agent, even if a person rides only on
his or her own property. The only snowmobiles exempt from registration
are those that are government-owned and those registered in another state
or Canadian province. Operators from states not requiring registration
must obtain a 60-day registration permit from DOL.
Snowmobile registrations are valid Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. The fee
is $30 and $12 for vintage snowmobiles. It includes one Sno-Park permit
(an automobile parking permit required at designated Sno-Parks) for each
registered snowmobile. The Sno-Park permit must be affixed to the towing
vehicle on the inside of the lower left corner of the windshield (driver's
side), whenever the towing vehicle is parked in a designated Sno-Park.
The fee also includes one decal which must be affixed to the snowmobile
on the left side of the cowling below the windshield.
Requirements 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/or a special groomed trails permit. A
Washington State licensed vehicle must have a Washington State Sno-Park
permit.
Washington Sno-Park permits 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 on the permit. The permit is honored at all Sno-Parks,
including the designated Special Groomed Trails permit areas. Please note: If using a one-day Sno-Park permit,
you also will need a one-day Discover Pass or an annual Discover Pass when visiting Crystal Springs, Easton Reload
and Hyak sno-parks, Fields Spring, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee and Mount Spokane state parks and DNR's Mt. Tahoma
Trail System. For an annual Discover Pass, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
- Seasonal Permits
- A seasonal permit is non-transferable between vehicles. Some Sno-Parks require only a seasonal permit for
season parking. Others require both the seasonal permit and the special groomed trails permit (sticker) in order
to use the designated Sno-Park.
- Special Groomed Trails Permits
- This permit, in conjunction with the seasonal permit, is required at only the following 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. They pay for snow removal, sanitation
facilities, trail grooming, trail signs, mapping, parking lot construction,
education, enforcement and Sno-Park program administration.
Permit Purchasing
Sno-Park permits are available beginning Nov. 1 through April 30 either online or by purchasing from a retail location.
- You also may 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 $2 handling fee may be charged when Sno-Park permits are purchased from retail locations.
Permits are non-refundable. The fees for Sno-Park permits are:
| Permit Type |
Purchased from State Parks |
Purchased from retail vendor |
Purchased online |
| One-day |
$20 |
$22 |
$20 |
| Seasonal |
$40 |
$42 |
$40 |
| Special Groomed Trails |
$40 |
$42 |
$40 |
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.