Winter Recreation Program announces closure of 14 motorized Sno-parks for 2024-25 season

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program will temporarily close fourteen motorized Sno-parks for the 2024-25 winter season, due primarily to a roughly 25 percent reduction in funds available from snowmobile registrations to support the motorized part of the program.

The following motorized Sno-Parks are slated for temporary closure: Echo Valley, Skate Creek, Bethel Ridge/Soup Creek, Crow Creek, Cloverland, Elk Heights, Fish Creek, French Cabin, Nile, Taneum, Reecer Creek, Crawfish, Nine Bark and Clear Lake.

The snowmobile program is self-funded from snowmobile registration fees and a percentage of the gas tax. The program currently receives $94.20 per registered snowmobile. Funds are used to pay for services at motorized Sno-parks such as snow removal, sanitation, education, enforcement and trail grooming.

The number of registered snowmobiles has decreased by 52 percent over the past two decades, from a high of 38,331 in 2002 to 18,434 in 2024. The closures are for the 2024-25 winter season, pending future funding availability. The program is continuing to work with the Snowmobile Advisory Committee and stakeholders to look at the long-term future of the snowmobile program.

The Winter Recreation Program worked with the Snowmobile Advisory Committee, local snowmobile clubs, and managers of lands on which the Sno-parks are located to finalize the list of Sno-park closures. The principal goal was continuing operation of the most used Sno-parks and preserving access to the broader network of groomed snowmobile trails. Discussions addressed the feasibility, practical limitations, and implications of closures, including the following considerations:

• Other nearby Sno-parks accessing the same trail system
• Recommendations from land managers, local grooming councils, and clubs
• Popularity and use levels determined by user server data
• Previous closure or contractor availability
• Elevation and typical snowfall

The Winter Recreation Program at Washington State Parks manages Sno-parks around the state for both motorized and non-motorized use. The program provides snow removal, sanitation, and education and enforcement at Sno-parks and grooming of over 800 miles non-motorized trails and 2,300 miles of snowmobile trails around the state.

Sno-parks slated for closure are designated and funded for motorized use. Designated non-motorized Sno-parks supporting activities like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing are not impacted by this decision.