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. In lieu
of a Washington permit, Washington accepts the Idaho Park-n-Ski permit and
the Oregon Snow Park permit on vehicles registerd in those states. 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 at all Sno-Parks including the designated Special Groomed Trails permit areas.
- Seasonal Permits
- A seasonal permit is transferable between two vehicles, but both vehicles must be registered to individuals in the same household. If both vehicles will be used in the same Sno-Park at the same time, a permit must be purchased for the second vehicle. Purchasing a one-day permit for the second vehicle is an option. 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 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 Puchasing
Sno-Park permits are available beginning Nov. 15 through March 31 annually
by completing the application below and mailing it to the State Parks Winter
Recreation Program or by purchasing from a retail location.
- You can 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 more than 125 retail locations, State Parks region offices, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee, Mount Spokane and Fields Spring state parks or the Winter Recreation Program (1111 Israel Road S.W., Olympia, WA 98504).
- Online:
Sno-Park permits
(Available online now)
A dollar handling fee is charged when Sno-Park permits are purchased from
retail locations. The fee for Sno-Park permits are:
| Permit Type |
Purchased from State Parks |
Purchased from retail vendor |
Purchased online |
| One-day |
$20 |
$21 |
$20 |
| Seasonal |
$40 |
$41 |
$40 |
| Special Groomed Trails |
$40 |
$41 |
$40 |
For information on how to become a permit dealer, contact the
Winter Recreation Program at (360) 902-8684, or e-mail
winter@parks.wa.gov.