Washington Sno-Park Permits Go On Sale November 1st

Winter and snow will be here soon and if you are a winter recreation enthusiast, the Washington State Sno-Park permits are going on sale November 1st.

Here's what you need to know before you hit the trails and slopes according to a press release from the Washington State Parks and Rec department.

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, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, tubing and other winter sports and snow play.

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. 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.

What type of permit is needed?

Different permits are required for different circumstances. The following list will help permit buyers understand what type of permit will best serve them:

• 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 non-motorized Sno-Parks that are used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, 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 these non-motorized Sno-Parks: Cabin Creek, Chiwawa Loop, Crystal Springs, Hyak, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee (including Nason Ridge) and Mount Spokane. Cost: $40. These Sno-Parks are high use, and funds from the sticker cover the costs to provide more frequent grooming. NOTE: At this time, the Special Groomed Sticker is only available online or through REI Seattle. The sticker will be available through other vendors by mid-November.
• Seasonal Snowmobile Sno-Park Permit All snowmobiles 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.

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.