Snowmobiling in Washington State

Snowmobiling is one of the state's most popular winter activities. More than 3,000 miles of groomed trails are provided through the Winter Recreation Program, in cooperation with federal, county and local agencies, ski areas, snowmobile clubs and private landowners.

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. For a list of snowmobile Sno-Parks and their locations, select "Snowmobile Sno-Parks" to the right on this page.

Remember that Sno-Park plowing cannot be done without highway plowing. For this reason, under certain weather conditions, some Sno-Parks may not be cleared for vehicle parking until other areas have been cleared. Keep in mind it is against the law to park on highway interchanges.

All funds from snowmobile registrations and a percentage of the state gasoline tax are used solely for snowmobiling purposes, including:

• Snow removal in designated parking lots
• Trail grooming
• Enforcement
• Equipment purchases
• Safety education and training
• Trail signing and maps
• Program administration

For information on where to rent a snowmobile, call the Washington State Snowmobile Association at (800) 784-9772.
 

RCW 46.10.120

Children under age 12 may not operate a snowmobile on or across a public roadway or highway. Children ages 12 to 16 must pass the snowmobile safety education course and carry the certificate of successful completion with them when operating a snowmobile. Youth who operate a snowmobile under the direct and present supervision of a qualified adult need not show the certificate.

Persons 12 and over who successfully complete the snowmobile exam will receive a snowmobile safety patch and a snowmobile safety certificate permitting operation. For information on where to take the course, call the State Parks information center at (360) 902-8844.
 

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 includes one Sno-Park permit (a vehicle 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 windshield (driver's side) in the lower left corner, 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.
 

For information on groomed trail conditions, click on the Snowmobile Sno-Park Locations link on this page. Seasonal trail grooming information is listed below each Sno-Park location.

Trail grooming is necessary to:

• Smooth out rough spots
• Remove drifts
• Disperse snowmobilers to less-used areas
• Focus use on narrow corridors through big game areas
• Avoid tree plantation areas
• Separate potentially conflicting uses
• Eliminate use of snowmobiles on areas of inadequate snow cover and steep slopes

Once a trail is groomed, it needs time to set up or harden. This takes from three to 18 hours depending on air temperature. When a snowmobile follows the groomer or travels on a recently groomed trail, it usually destroys the ability of the snow to set up. The trail then quickly reverts to its prior ungroomed condition, resulting in a waste of users' Snowmobile Program money. Please stay off newly groomed trails.

Trail Tips

• Ride at a reasonable and prudent speed relative to existing conditions and other trail uses.
• Use the buddy system for safety. Never snowmobile alone! In case of an accident or machine failure, that second machine and rider may be your only means for a safe return. Before you go, notify someone of where you are headed and when you expect to be back.
• Do not ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Do not ride in a manner that would endanger lives or property.
• Use your lights between dusk and dawn.
• Do not harass or endanger wildlife. Protect winter wildlife populations by viewing animals from a distance, maintaining a constant speed and staying on your snowmobile when animals are present.
• Obtain permission from landowners before entering private property.
• Respect non-motorized sports trails marked with cross-country ski signs or blue diamonds. Snowmobile traffic ruins cross-country ski tracks.
• Do not enter designated Wilderness Areas.
   

(Click on map for enlarged version)

In 1964, Congress passed the Wilderness Act, creating designated Wilderness Areas within national forests, national parks and certain other federal lands. This act prohibits roads, vehicles, snowmobiles and other motorized equipment from entering designated areas. While snowmobiles have little impact on the ground, they have substantial impact on surrounding wildlife. That is why they are prohibited in Wilderness Areas.

Unfortunately, illegal intrusions by snowmobiles into Wilderness Areas are on the increase. Sometimes snowmobilers do not know where the boundaries are or may not realize an area is closed. To prevent the need for additional area closures and stronger enforcement, familiarize yourself with the location of restricted areas and respect the boundaries. Carry this message to snowmobile clubs and other groups.

For brochures showing the location of Wilderness Areas, contact the Winter Recreation Program at winter@parks.wa.gov.

Maps showing Wilderness Areas are posted on bulletin boards at trailheads in all snowmobile Sno-Parks.

For information on how to volunteer to put up/maintain Wilderness Area boundary markers, call your local U.S. Forest Service Ranger District.