FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2011
State Parks, DNR announce changes to winter recreation requirements
Some areas require a Sno-park permit; others will need a Discover Pass
OLYMPIA — Washington State Parks and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announce changes in requirements to visiting winter recreation areas in Washington state. The changes affect whether a Sno-Park permit or a Discover Pass will be required to access state-managed winter recreation areas and Sno-Parks.
Visitors who have a current seasonal Sno-Park permit will not need to purchase a Discover Pass to visit a designated Sno-Park area between November 1 and March 31 for winter recreation activities. The seasonal Sno-Park permit is $40. A one-day Sno-Park permit is $20. Some non-motorized Sno-Parks require a Special Groomed Trail sticker for an additional $40. For more information, visit www.parks.wa.gov/winter/nonmotorparks/.
DNR manages several winter recreation trailheads, which are no longer part of the Sno-Park system. For these areas, visitors will need an annual or day-use Discover Pass at the following:
- The Ahtanum Winter Recreation Areas in Yakima County
- Lily Lake in Chelan County
- Rattlesnake in Yakima County
- Manastash in Kittitas County (Note: Manastash is not open this season due to storm damage from last spring.)
An annual Discover Pass costs $30 and a day-use pass is $10. (Transaction fees apply when purchased from a retail provider.)
In addition, those who purchase a one-day Sno-Park permit will also need an annual or one-day Discover Pass to visit the following locations:
- Crystal Springs Sno-Park
- Hyak Sno-Park
- Easton Reload Sno-Park
- Lake Easton State Park
- Lake Wenatchee State Park
- Fields Spring State ParkMount Spokane State Park
- Mount Tahoma Trail System (managed by DNR)
For more information about the Discover Pass, including where to purchase the pass, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov or call toll free 1-866-320-9933.
For more information about Sno-Park permits, visit www.parks.wa.gov/winter/ , call 360-902-8684, or send an email to winter@parks.wa.gov.
Media Contact:
Virginia Painter, State Parks, Public Affairs Director, 360-902-8562, Virginia.painter@parks.wa.gov.
Bryan Flint, DNR, Director of Communications and Outreach, 360-902-1023, bryan.flint@dnr.wa.gov
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