The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has announced that Sno-Park permits will be available for purchase online and through various vendors statewide beginning midnight Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Sno-Park permits allow visitors to park in specially cleared, designated parking lots with access to areas for cross-country skiing, skijoring, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, tubing and more throughout the state. Online and in-person purchase of the Sno-Park permit is available Nov. 1 through April 30. Revenue from Sno-Park permit sales is entirely dedicated to the Winter Recreation Program and helps pay for trail grooming, snow removal from parking lots and roads, on-site sanitation, education and enforcement.

What type of permit is needed? Different permits are required for different circumstances. The following list spells out what is needed:

Daily Sno-Park Permit: This permit is valid at any Sno-Park for one, two or three consecutive days as indicated on the permit. Cost: $20 per day. (Note: All Sno-Parks honor the one-day permit, and individuals who purchase a one-day permit are not required to purchase a Special Groomed Sticker.)

Seasonal Non-motorized Sno-Park Permit: Permit is valid for the entire winter season at non-motorized Sno-Parks that are used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, etc. Some Sno-Parks require a Special Groomed Sticker to be paired with a seasonal non-motorized permit. Cost: $40.

Special Groomed Sticker: This sticker affixes to a seasonal Sno-Park permit and is required for use at these non-motorized Sno-Parks: Cabin Creek, Chiwawa Loop, Crystal Springs, Hyak, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee (including Nason Ridge) and Mount Spokane. Cost: $40. These Sno-Parks are high use, and funds from the sticker cover the costs to provide more frequent grooming.

Seasonal Snowmobile Sno-Park Permit: All snowmobiles in Washington state are required to be registered annually through the Washington State Department of Licensing or a licensing agent. The $50 registration fee includes one Sno-Park permit, which must be affixed to the towing vehicle. Out-of-state visitors with snowmobiles need to purchase a motorized Sno-Park permit. Cost: $40.

To purchase a Sno-Park permit online, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/130/Winter-Recreation. For a list of vendors and their locations, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/147/Sno-Park-Permit-vendors.

                                                                     – Washington State Parks