Tag: Winter Recreation

Enjoy the Great Outdoors this Winter

Think the mountain scenery is only to be enjoyed during the summer? Think again! When your hiking boots just can’t cut it anymore, you can always strap on a pair of snowshoes and enjoy stunning, snow-covered vistas. However, before you head out on your first snowshoe adventure, there are a few things to consider.

Snowshoeing Equipment

Clearly, you’re going to need a pair of snowshoes to go snowshoeing. If you’re headed out for your first adventure, we recommend looking into renting or borrowing a pair of snowshoes. This way you can decide whether the activity is for you before making a big investment. There are also a few other things you need to hunt down as well before heading out.

• Clothing: for pants, lightweight ski pants, rain [...]

With many indoor activities closed due to the pandemic, more people than ever are turning to the great outdoors for recreation. While we live in a great part of the country for winter recreation, there are guidelines and precautions to be followed for safety. The Washington State Parks has recently released some guidelines and tips to help you stay safe this winter.

Warming Huts

Many of the State Parks feature cozy warming huts along Sno-Park trails. Due to COVID-19, some of these huts are closed this winter. If huts are open, it is recommended that you limit your stay. In addition, due to a lack of ventilation it is important to wear a face covering and practice social distancing while inside. Before planning to use a hut on an outdoor adventure, investigate whether [...]

Washington State Parks and Recreation Guide to Winter Recreation in Washington. Sno-Parks

The Winter Recreation Program manages Sno-Parks (cleared parking areas) in close proximity to groomed and backcountry trails.

• Snowmobile Sno-Parks are open to both motorized and non-motorized winter recreation.
• Non-motorized Sno-Parks are only open to winter recreation sports such as cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and snow play.

Have you visited a sno-park and would you like to share your thoughts? Sno-Park on-site evaluation forms  can now be done completely on-line please follow the link: On-Site Evaluation.

Pass & permit information

Sno-Park permits are available online from Nov. 1 through April 30.

Visitors to Washington state parks and state recreation lands managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources are required to display the Discover Pass on their vehicles. Exemption: If you have a current seasonal Sno-Park permit, you [...]

The fall leaves are gorgeous, but some of us snow bunnies are already planning for snow! Winter sport enthusiasts and families can spice up the cold months with a variety of snow activities sponsored by Washington State Parks’ Winter Recreation Program. The Evergreen State is “ever green” only in parts. The Olympic, Cascade, Blue, and Selkirk mountains provide great opportunities for all types of outdoor winter fun.

Cross-country and downhill skiing, skijoring, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and tubing are available at a variety of locations across the state. In concert with federal agencies, private landowners, and other state agencies, Washington State Parks administers this program in seven national forests and blocks of state and private forest land. Five major highway passes, kept open to normal traffic in winter, [...]