SNO-Parks offers some of California’s best, most affordable winter activities. For just $15 a day or $40 for the 2023-2024 season (November 1-May 30), you and your pup enjoy parking and access to 18 SNO-Park sites (find your nearest SNO-Park). California State Parks and its partners clear lots and sometimes groom trails on these sprawling U.S. Forest Service lands scattered between Sierra County and Mammoth Lakes.
Depending on the location, your SNO-Park to-do list might feature skiing, sledding, building snow forts, tossing snowballs, snowmobiling or stomping through snowdrifts with your dog. Some sites have groomed cross-country and snowshoe trails, too. Dogs love the snow — watching your pup bound through fresh powder, nose-first into every drift, is one of those simple joys that makes winter travel worth the drive.
DogTrekker favorites include parks at Echo Lake (on Highway 50’s north side), Blackwood Canyon (three miles south of Tahoe City), and popular Hope Valley (just south of Highway 88, 12 miles south of Lake Tahoe). Each offers a different vibe: Echo Lake tends to draw snowshoers and skiers, Blackwood Canyon is great for a quick snow romp close to town, and Hope Valley’s wide-open meadows let your dog really stretch their legs in a stunning alpine setting.
Before you head out, make sure your dog is prepared for winter conditions. Booties or paw wax protect sensitive pads from ice and road salt. A warm dog coat helps shorter-haired breeds stay comfortable, and you’ll want to towel off your pup after playtime to prevent them from getting chilled in the car. Keep a thermos of warm water on hand — your dog still needs to hydrate even when it’s cold, and lukewarm water is easier for them to drink than icy creek water.
Purchase your SNO-Park pass online, by mail or from a local vendor. Arrive early for the best experience, since parking fills fast at many sites. Please follow DogTrekker’s Leave Only Paw Prints values, packing in and packing out to protect precious natural lands. And remember, winter road conditions can change quickly. Always pay attention to weather forecasts and carry chains — they’re required on most Sierra highways during storms.
