Snow-Parks.com Site Legend

Free summertime camping locations

 are free because they have limited services, facilities and activities. However; each location may have an attractive feature for certain individuals. I have listed the features (and lack of) based on the data the US Forest Service has provided and observations I have made while visiting the Sno-Park. I rate each feature as well as the Sno-Park from 1 to 10 (10 being the best) and provide a few photos.

Higher rated Sno-parks have a 1 minute YouTube video showing the warming shelters, parking areas and other facilities. Look for these links under the featured photo of the Sno-park. For a complete listing of our videos visit our blog sno-parks.blogspot.com.

I can not attest to the winter time conditions or environment.

GPS co-ordinates are from my GPS unit (accuracy 100 meters), maps or Google Earth as indicated. For specific driving directions and current road conditions contact the local agency servicing the area. Contact information is available by clicking the [Contact Info] link for each National Forest.

Most Snow-Parks do not charge fees in summer months but do require Snow-Park permits in winter months. There are exceptions. Times and fees vary and change so are not included at this website. Fees are minimal and so are the services so if you PACK IT IN - PACK IT OUT! This will keep the area clean and the fees to a minimum.

The following describes the abbreviations found throughout the website.

Sno-Park Location and Information

Sno-Park Name and any Aliases    Self explanatory
State & County - Location of the Sno-Park.
National Forest - NF - All Sno-Parks described on this website are located in a National Forest.
To get the National Forest contact information click on the [Contact Info] link.
Local Agency - The Ranger District regulating the Sno-Park. Contact the Ranger station for more details on the Sno-Park.
Nearest town - The nearest town with services.
Access road - The road on which the Sno-Park can be found. Sno-Parks without road access are not included here.
GPS co-ordinates - If known the GPS co-ordinates are supplied. The origin of the co-ordinates is indicated by:

• GPS - co-ordinates are taken from my GPS unit when the Sno-Park was visited.
• MAP - co-ordinates are best estimated co-ordinates form a USFS map.
• WEB - co-ordinates are taken from an internet source such as Google Earth.

Trail Maps - The source of known trail maps is indicated. In winter most Sno-Parks have free snowmobile trail maps available at the Sno-Park in a map box. During the summer months trail maps (if available) can be found at the ranger district office. Call ahead to be sure they are available. In summer months these maps can be used for hiking.
Local Snowmobile Clubs - Many Sno-Parks have a local snowmobile club that has donated resources (warming huts, trail signs, trail grooming and maps for example). Known Local Snowmobile Clubs are listed.
Date Visited. Date I last visited the Sno-Park.

Facilities

Drinking Water - Some Sno-Parks have running water during the summer months but turn it off in winter. If water is available assume it is only in the summer months. Sno-Parks associated with large State maintained rest areas will have indoor running water all year.
Picnic Sites - The number of designated picnic areas with tables.
Loading Ramp - Loading ramps for OHV and horses.
RV Dump Station - Yes is specified if available. A fee may be required.
RV Sites - Number of designated RV camping areas is indicated. No Hook-ups are available.
Tent sites - Number of designated tent camping areas is indicated. These include fire pits and tables.
Toilets - All Sno-parks listed here will have available toilets. The type will be indicated as; Flush, Vault or Portable.
Trash Collection - As Sno-Parks receive little use in summer months, many do not have trash containers. Always plan to PACK IT OUT!
Warming Hut - Many of the higher rated Sno-Parks have a warming hut with wood stove. These are great for those rainy days when you want to sit around the fire without getting wet. Many have tables and chairs for groups or just to play cards. In winter some local snowmobile clubs kept a little wood near by but plan on supplying your own firewood.

Activities

ATVs - Yes is indicated only if the USFS has specified the area for ATV use. Although ATVs can be ridden on most snowmobile trails, many trails have restrictions to protect the vegetation. Contact the local ranger station for more information before you ride.
Bike Trails - Yes is indicated only if the USFS has specified the area for mountain bike use. Although bikes can be ridden on most snowmobile trails, many trails have restrictions to protect the vegetation. Contact the local ranger station for more information before you ride.
Cross-country Skiing - Yes is indicated for Sno-Parks having areas set aside as Cross-country skiing only (no snowmobiles). XC skiing is permitted through the National forests.
Fishing - Yes indicates that a suitable fishing area is within walking distance.
Hiking - Yes is indicated only if the USFS has hiking trails groomed for hikers. You can hike the snowmobile trails at any time. Hikers can obtain a snowmobile trail map by contacting the local ranger station.
Horseback Riding - Yes is indicated only if the USFS has specified the area for equestrian use. Although horses can be ridden on most snowmobile trails, many trails have restrictions to protect the vegetation. Contact the local ranger station for more information.
Hunting - Hunting is allowed throughout the National forest. Always check the regulations before hunting.
Marked Trails - I have rated the snowmobile trails by how well they are marked and signed.

• 1-4 The only trail signs are orange diamonds found high in trees and randomly spaced. A map is a must and hikers should take extra care.
• 5-7 The trail signs are numbered to identify the trail and the spacing is more uniform. A map is handy.
• 7-10 The trails are marked with the trail name, destination, distance, difficulty and the markers are well spaced. The local snowmobile clubs are usually responsible for these trails and should be recognized for their hard work.

Snowmobiles - Yes snowmobiles are allowed in Sno-Parks.
Swimming - Yes indicates that a suitable swimming area is within walking distance.

Overall Experience

Let me state again that this website is focused on using Sno-Parks for free summer recreation purposes. While all Sno-Parks are suitable staging areas for winter sports not all are suited for summer camping. High ratings are for a summer time camping experience.

Some of these Sno-Parks with warming huts are ideal for family gatherings. They offer plenty of parking, tables and chairs, woodstove, electric lights and outlets if you bring a portable generator.

My overall Sno-Park Ratings:

• 1-3 Use the toilet and move on.
• 4-6 Okay place to spend the night if you have an RV but not much to do.
• 5-7 Nice quiet place to spend a few nights. There is some hiking, shade, maybe some activity near by e.g. a lake, interesting town.
• 8-10 A pleasant atmosphere where you would want to spend a week. Nice camping areas, things to do, privacy.

Additional observations

Cleanliness - In most cases I have found the Sno-Parks to be very clean. Any exceptions are noted.
Parking - Parking is rated by ease of parking. Small parking lots with tight turning radiuses are rated lower than parking lots designed for 100s of large vehicles.
Privacy - Sno-Parks with individual parking spaces and large parking lots rate higher than small lots.
Quiet - Sno-Parks located on or close to major highways rate lower than Sno-Parks located in more remote regions.
Shade - Shade makes summer time camping more comfortable so it is included here.

• 1-3 Indicates little available shade.
• 4-7 Morning or afternoon shade can be found.
• 8-10 totally shaded parking available.