California SNO-PARKs: Locations, Permits & Snow Play
California's 18 designated SNO-PARK parking areas provide access to winter recreation in the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe regions, including cross-country skiing, snow play and snowmobiling where allowed. Facilities and conditions vary. Snow play does not automatically mean a location has a safe or designated sledding hill. Check official park information and current road conditions before visiting.
2026–27 SNO-PARK permits: A vehicle parking permit is required from November 1 through May 30. Daily permits cost $15 and season permits cost $40; online orders may have a $1.95 service fee per permit. Permits are valid at participating SNO-PARKs but do not guarantee parking. For current rules, display requirements and purchasing options, visit the official California State Parks permit page.
California SNO-PARK Locations at a Glance
Compare all 18 SNO-PARKs. Activity descriptions are a planning guide, not confirmation of current access or designated sledding hills. Select each park name for its official State Parks information.
| SNO-PARK | Region | Activities | Sledding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwood Canyon | North Tahoe | Snow play | Verify locally |
| Donner Summit | North Tahoe | Cross-country skiing, Snow play | No sledding hills |
| Yuba Pass | North Tahoe | Cross-country skiing, Snow play, Snowmobiling | Verify locally |
| Echo Lake | South Tahoe | Cross-country skiing, Snow play | Verify locally |
| Taylor Creek | South Tahoe | Cross-country skiing, Snow play | Verify locally |
| Carson Pass | Highway 88 | Cross-country skiing, Snow play | Verify locally |
| Hope Valley | Highway 88 | Cross-country skiing, Snowmobiling | Verify locally |
| Iron Mountain | Highway 88 | Cross-country skiing, Snow play, Snowmobiling | Verify locally |
| Meiss Meadow | Highway 88 | Cross-country skiing, Snow play | Verify locally |
| Lake Alpine | Highway 4 | Snow play, Snowmobiling | Verify locally |
| Round Valley | Highway 4 | Cross-country skiing | Verify locally |
| Spicer | Highway 4 | Cross-country skiing, Snow play, Snowmobiling | Verify locally |
| Highway 108 | Sonora Pass | Cross-country skiing, Snowmobiling | Verify locally |
| Coyote | Central Sierra | Cross-country skiing, Snow play | Verify locally |
| Eastwood | Central Sierra | Snow play | Verify locally |
| Huntington Lake | Central Sierra | Cross-country skiing, Snowmobiling | Verify locally |
| Tamarack | Central Sierra | Cross-country skiing, Snowmobiling | Verify locally |
| Rock Creek | Eastern Sierra | Snow play | Verify locally |
California SNO-PARKs: Detailed Locations
- North Tahoe
- Blackwood Canyon - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. Snowmobiling is also listed among activities in the State Parks program; check current restrictions. Blackwood Canyon is located on the west side of Highway 89, three miles south of Tahoe City in Placer County.
- Donner Summit - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. There are no hills for sledding at this location. Donner Summit is located on the south side of I-80 at the Castle Peak exit beyond Boreal Inn.
- Yuba Pass - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snow play, and snowmobiling. Snowmobile trails on the north and south sides of the highway. Yuba Pass is located on the south side of Highway 49 at Yuba Pass.
- South Tahoe
- Echo Lake - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. No snowmobiles. No parking on entry road. Echo Lake is located on the north side of Highway 50 at Echo Lake Road.
- Taylor Creek - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. Located on the west side of Highway 89, just north of Camp Richardson Road.
- Highway 88 Corridor
- Carson Pass - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. No snowmobiles. Carson Pass is located on the south side of Highway 88 at Carson Pass 60 miles east of Jackson in Alpine County.
- Hope Valley - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snow play, and snowmobiling. Hope Valley is located on the south side of Highway 88 at Blue Lakes Road.
- Iron Mountain - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snow play, and snowmobiling. Iron Mountain is located on the north side of Highway 88 at the Mormon-Emigrant Trail Road.
- Meiss Meadow - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. No snowmobiles. Meiss Meadow is located on the north side of Highway 88 near Carson Pass.
- Highway 4 Corridor - Stanislaus National Forest
- Lake Alpine - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snow play and snowmobiling. Lake Alpine is located at the winter closure gate on Highway 4.
- Round Valley - Cross-country skiing. Round Valley is located on Highway 207 (Mt. Reba Road), just north of Highway 4.
- Spicer - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snow play, and snowmobiling. Spicer is located on the south side of Highway 4 at Spicer Road.
- Sonora Pass
- Highway 108 - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling. Highway 108 is located at the winter closure gate on Highway 108 east of Strawberry.
- Central California
- Coyote - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. No snowmobiles. Coyote is located on the north side of Highway 168 east of Shaver Lake.
- Eastwood - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. Eastwood is located on the east side of Highway 168 at Huntington Lake Road.
- Huntington Lake - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling. Huntington Lake is located on the west side of Huntington Lake Road, three miles from Eastwood Sno-Park.
- Tamarack - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling. Tamarack is located on the south side of Highway 168 east of Shaver Lake.
- Mammoth
- Rock Creek - Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. No snowmobiles. Rock Creek is located on the west side of Highway 395 at Rock Creek Road.
SNO-PARK Safety and Winter Driving Tips
- Dress for the cold.
- Apply sunscreen and wear UV-protective sunglasses; snow reflects sunlight.
- Parking is first-come, first-served; a permit does not reserve a space. Arrive early on weekends.
- Carry a shovel and properly sized tire chains or cables, and know how to install them. Follow posted chain controls.
- Leave no trace and do not litter.
- Check Caltrans QuickMap for road closures and chain controls, plus official SNO-PARK and weather updates. Parking areas may be inaccessible during storms or snow clearing.
- Bring water, extra warm clothing, navigation tools, a charged phone and power bank, food, and a flashlight. Tell someone your route and return time.
California Snowmobile Rentals & Tours
Snowmobile tours and rentals may be offered by independent businesses in the Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes and Huntington Lake areas. Rentals are not automatically available at SNO-PARK parking areas, and snowmobile use is allowed only on designated routes. Confirm availability and trail rules before traveling.
