Scattered around the state like snowflakes, California SNO-Parks offer unmatched (and affordable!) access to incredible U.S. Forest Service lands. For 2024-25, a SNO-Park pass gets you into all 18 parks from November 1 through May 30 for just $40, or $15 for single-day entry. California State Parks and its partners clear vehicle lots of snow as they’re able. You simply choose a destination and plan your adventure.

You’ll find most SNO-Park locations between Sierra County and Mammoth Lakes. Each offers unique winter adventures like hiking, sledding, tossing snowballs, making snow angels, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and simply taking in the scenery. There’s ample space to try skijoring, the Scandinavian-inspired sport where a dog gets attached to a cross-country skier’s waist with a towline. Together, you can glide across snow-covered terrain. Some SNO-Parks have plowed or groomed trails, as conditions allow, and some sites open to snowmobilers.

Blackwood Canyon, near Tahoe City on the west side of Highway 89, offers trails, open spaces and backcountry beauty. This is one of the most popular SNO-Parks in the Tahoe area, so arriving early on weekends is a good idea — the lot fills up fast, and once it’s full, you’ll need to find another spot. Echo Lake, on the north side of Highway 50 in the Eldorado National Forest, is a top spot for cross-country skiing and playing in the snow. The rolling terrain here is forgiving enough for beginners, and dogs love bounding through the powder alongside their people.

Farther south, Huntington Lake is an especially popular SNO-Park. If the lot there is full, head three miles down the road to access Eastwood Lake. Both locations offer plenty of room for snowshoeing and sledding, and the scenery along the drive is worth the trip on its own.

For dogs, SNO-Parks are a sensory playground. The fresh snow, pine-scented air, and wide-open spaces give pups a chance to explore terrain they don’t encounter every day. Just make sure your dog is comfortable in cold conditions — a waterproof coat helps short-haired breeds, and paw balm or booties protect against ice buildup between toes.

Here are a few more SNO-Park basics:

• Buy your SNO-Parks permit before visiting. The California State Parks website shares vendor lists and online ordering details.
• Display your permit on the left side of the dashboard, and make sure it’s clearly visible from outside the vehicle.
• Arrive early. Parking lots fill fast, especially at popular SNO-Parks like Blackwood Canyon and Hope Valley, in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest south of Lake Tahoe.
• Always watch road and weather conditions, which can change quickly in the winter. Carry chains even if the forecast looks clear.
• Embrace DogTrekker’s Leave Only Paw Prints values: Pack in and out, leave only boot and paw prints, and protect our natural lands.