Sno-Park permits go on sale Nov. 1

The Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program reminds people that Sno-Park permits will be available for 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.

The Discover Pass is no longer required to accompany the daily Sno-Park permit in Sno-Parks on State Parks property, which are Crystal Springs, Easton Reload, Fields Spring, Hyak, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee, Pearrygin Lake and Mount Spokane.

Seasonal Sno-Park permit holders were already exempted from displaying the Discover Pass at Washington State Parks Sno-Parks.

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 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 up to three consecutive days as indicated on the permit. The cost is $20 per day. 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. The cost is $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. The cost is $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. The cost is $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 timeframe. 

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)

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