SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division today announced a fee increase for California’s SNO-Parks Permit. Effective Nov. 1, 2022, the daily permit is going to increase from $5 to $15 and the season permit from $25 to $40. The fee increase, the first since 2000, will help offset the cost increase of operating 18 SNO-Parks along the Sierra Nevada due to the need for additional maintenance, staffing, and safety needs, as well as addressing site damage due to increased visitation and recent wildfires.
Winter recreation opportunities are provided at 18 SNO-Park sites with each SNO-Park providing visitors snow-cleared parking lots and sanitation facilities. Visitors have access to self-guided activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and other general snow recreation activities. SNO-Parks are open seasonally between November 1 and May 30 and require visitors to display a parking permit for each vehicle.
SNO-Parks draw thousands of visitors from all over the state, the country and world. During the peak season, high visitation means full parking lots, congested roadways, and long wait times for open parking spaces. Visitors are advised to plan ahead and have alternative locations to visit in case their destination is full. The public can find the list of the 18 SNO-Parks here.
The SNO-Park program is coordinated and administered by the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Transportation, the California Highway Patrol, and other various community organizations. Plowing services and restrooms facilities are supported by the Winter Recreation Fund, which is funded by the sales of SNO-Park parking permits. SNO-Park passes can be purchased online here, at a local vendor, or by mail. Passes will go on sale starting Monday, October 24.
SNO-Parks can be identified by distinctive brown signs located along the highways throughout the Sierra Nevadas. Visitors are advised not to park along the highway interchanges as it is against the law.
For more information on locations, approved activities and to purchase permits, visit www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/Snoparks.
A SNO-Park permit is required for each vehicle parked at a SNO-Park site from November 1 through May 30 of each year. Permits are sold as Day Permits or Seasonal Permits. Day permits are sold for $15.00 and are valid for one single day. Season permits are sold for $40.00 and are valid for the entire SNO-Park season from November 1 through May 30.
Snow-cleared parking lots cannot be guaranteed on a daily basis because of weather conditions and snow plowing priorities.
The SNO-Park permit must be displayed on the left side of the vehicle dashboard where it can be seen clearly from outside the vehicle.
- All permits sold are non-refundable; day permits are non-transferable.
- Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis at all SNO-Park sites. No refunds are issued if your favorite SNO-PARK is full.
- Any vehicle parked at a SNO-Park site without a permit properly displayed is subject to an $94.50 fine. Should you receive a fine and have questions, contact the court or law enforcement office of the County in which the SNO-Park site is located.
How to Purchase SNO-Park Permits
The 2022/23 SNO-Park Permit Season begins in November 1,2022. Permit sales begin mid October 2022.
SNO-Park permits are also available for purchase online. This online service allows visitors an easy and convenient way to purchase SNO-PARK permits.
Permits may be purchased by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or e-check. Daily permits may be purchased for $15.00; seasonal permits $40.00. An online service fee of $1.95 will be added to the price of each permit.
### Subscribe to California State Parks News online at www.parks.ca.gov/news or click here. California State Parks and the recreational programs supported by its divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide the opportunity for families, friends, and communities to connect. Off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, cycling, hiking, camping, rock climbing, tours, hikes, school group enrichment, and special events are just some of the activities enjoyed in 279 park units organized into 21 field districts throughout the state. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov. |