California SNO-Parks Winter Recreation

California has 18 SNO-PARKs that are available to visitors for winter activities including cross-country skiing, sledding, snow play, dog sledding and even snow mobiles in some areas. These U.S. Forest Service lands areas have restroom facilities and parking areas that are cleared by the state of California for designated winter activities.

Either a day or season permit is required for every vehicle parked at a SNO-Park site from November 1 – May 30. Learn more about the SNO-Park permit program by visiting their page.

California SNO-Parks

• North Tahoe
  • Blackwood Canyon – Cross-county skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. 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, 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 Meadows – 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-county 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-county 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-county 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 Tips

• Dress for the cold.
• Do not forget Sunscreen.
• Parking is first come, first serve at all SNO-Park sites.
• Carry a shovel and tire chains.
• Leave no trace and do not litter.
• Check the status of the park and weather in the area before departing.
• Bring additional essentials including water, navigational tools, phone charger, food supplies and a flashlight.

California Snowmobile Rentals & Tours

Snowmobile rentals and tours can be found at Alpine Meadows, Bear Valley, Fresno, Huntington Lake (Lakeshore), Mammoth Lakes/June Lake, Lake Tahoe, Pioneer, Sierra City, Sierraville, Truckee, Weed and Yureka, CA.

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Monique McArthur

Monique McArthur is a mother of two, writer, and creator of delicious recipes. In her spare time she enjoys exploring all that Orange County has to offer, traveling, shopping, running with her dogs and spending time with family.