Washington State Sno-Park Permits Available November 1st

The Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program reminds winter recreation enthusiasts that Sno-Park permits will be available for online purchase beginning Nov. 1.

Sno-Park permits allow visitors to park in specially cleared, designated parking lots with access to areas around the state for cross-country skiing, skijoring, fat-tire biking, snowmobiling, snow biking, dog sledding, snowshoeing, tubing, snow play and other winter recreation activities.

Last year, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill to simplify the rules regarding Sno-Park permits. As a result, the Discover Pass is no longer required to accompany the daily Sno-Park permit in Sno-Parks on State Parks property. (These areas are Crystal Springs, Easton Reload, Fields Spring, Hyak, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee, Pearrygin Lake and Mount Spokane.)

Snow bikes classified as snowmobiles

In 2019, the Washington Legislature also passed a bill designating snow bikes in the same class as snowmobiles. Snow bikes use motorcycle frames and engines, but they have a ski in place of the front wheel and continuous track (much like a snowmobile) in place of the back wheel. Snow bikes must be registered as snowmobiles, and their operators must follow snowmobile regulations.

What type of permit is needed?

• Daily Sno-Park Permit
  This permit is valid at any Sno-Park for one, two or three consecutive days as indicated on the permit. Cost: $20 per day. (Note: All Sno-Parks honor the one-day permit, and individuals who purchase a one-day permit are not required to purchase a Special Groomed Sticker.)
• Seasonal Non-motorized Sno-Park Permit
  This permit is valid for the entire winter season at all non-motorized Sno-Parks used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, fat-tire biking, etc. Some Sno-Parks require a Special Groomed Sticker to be paired with a seasonal non-motorized permit. Cost: $40.
• Special Groomed Sticker
  This sticker affixes to a seasonal Sno-Park permit and is required for use at special, higher-use Sno-Parks that require more frequent grooming. Cost: $40. 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 permit when using these Sno-Parks for non-motorized activities.
• Seasonal Snowmobile and Snow Bike Sno-Park Permit
  All snowmobiles and snow bikes in Washington state are required to be registered annually through the Washington State Department of Licensing or a licensing agent. The $50 registration fee includes one Sno-Park permit, which must be affixed to the towing vehicle. Out-of-state visitors with snowmobiles need to purchase a motorized Sno-Park permit. Cost: $40.

How to get a permit

Sno-Park permits are sold in person and online Nov. 1 through April 30 and must be displayed on the permit holder’s windshield during that time frame.

To purchase a Sno-Park permit online, visit: parks.state.wa.us/winter. For a list of vendors and their locations, visit: parks.state.wa.us/147/Sno-Park-Permit-vendors.

Online purchasers need the following information at the time of purchase:

• Credit card
• Date of use for one-day permits
• Vehicle license plate number
• Printer (to instantly print a one-day or temporary seasonal permit)

Recreate Responsibly

To discourage the spread of COVID-19, Winter Recreation staff are encouraging winter recreation fans to buy permits online, if possible, or to check with their preferred outdoor vendor before making a trip to the store.

Revenue from Sno-Park permit sales is entirely dedicated to the Winter Recreation Program and helps pay for trail grooming, snow removal from parking lots and roads, on-site sanitation, education and enforcement.

About the State Parks Winter Recreation Program

The Winter Recreation Program manages more than 3,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 811 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and more than 120 Sno-Parks (plowed parking areas near snowmobile and cross-country ski trails) on public and private lands in Washington. The Winter Recreation Program is supported entirely by user fees, snowmobile registrations and a percentage of the state fuel tax.