With roughly 3,000 miles of trails and guided tour options, it has never been easier to experience snowmobiling in Washington. Get your adrenaline pumping as you cruise through snow-covered forests away from crowds, immersing yourself in the state’s scenic landscapes.
“Snowmobiling takes you to some of the most wild and beautiful places in our state that are pretty much inaccessible any other way in the winter,” says Cory Tolar, winter recreation program manager for Washington State Parks. “Our 89 sno-parks lead to sweeping vistas, snowscapes, and alpine forests.”
Whether joining the annual three-day Winter Rendezvous put on by the Washington State Snowmobile Association or venturing out on an independent adventure, there’s something for everyone.
Know Before You Go
- Permits: Sno-parks require parking permits, which can be purchased online or at State Park offices and other locations here.
- Age restrictions: Children under age 12 cannot operate a snowmobile on or across a public road or highway. Unless directly supervised by a qualified adult, those ages 12-16 are required to pass a snowmobile safety education course and carry the certificate when operating a snowmobile. For questions, contact the Winter Recreation Program at 360-902-8684.
- Rentals: A valid driver’s license is required. The minimum age is 18, although some operators require customers to be 21. Rentals are best for experienced riders.
- Safety: Many areas open to snowmobiling in Washington are susceptible to avalanches. Check avalanche forecasts in advance here: Cascades, Northeast Washington, Blue Mountains. Visit Safe Riders for info on gear, emergency practices, responsible operating guidelines, and more.
- Maps: Northwest Portal, which specializes in interactive maps and recreational resources, has a snowmobile map and associated Snow Northwest app that outlines the locations of Sno-Parks, where trails intersect with those for non-motorized use, and more. Note the exact number of open trails and mileage varies by season.
Where to Go Snowmobiling in Washington
Throughout the state, most access points can be found at sno-parks. These trailheads usually have parking and bathrooms, and some even have warming huts and shelters. From beginners looking to join a guided adventure to more remote offerings for experienced riders with their own rigs, here are some of the state’s best snowmobiling spots.
Best For: Guided Outings
Leavenworth
The Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth on the east side of the Cascade Mountains is known for some of the best snowmobiling in Washington, with over 200 miles of groomed trails and 300 inches of snow annually. A great option for beginners, Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours runs guided trips out of cozy Mountain Springs Lodge on on the scenic Wenatchee River.
Other options include Leavenworth Snowmobile Rentals, which offers half and full-day rentals as well as guided snowmobile tours like their Saturday Night Twilight Tour, or the Bavarian Boondockers snowmobile club, which hosts regular social events (think bonfires and warming huts) that are open to non-members.
Also See: Discover Winter Adventures in Washington
Methow Valley
Hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails wind through the high-elevation forests, river valleys, and powder-laden bowls and meadows of the Methow Valley, making it a great destination for beginners and experts alike. Numerous sno-parks access the trail system in Colville National Forest, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and all the way to the eastern banks of Lake Chelan.
Snowmobile Winthrop can provide rentals, guides, and specialized racks for hauling backcountry snowboards and skis for the ultimate adventure. North of Winthrop, you can stay and play at Chewack River Guest Ranch. This working riverside cattle ranch rents a smattering of cabins and offers guided snowmobile tours in the winter.
For the most up-to-date information on trail conditions, visit the Mountain Trails Grooming Association or the Methow Valley Snowmobile Association, which hosts rides throughout the season.
Cle Elum
Less than 90 minutes east of Seattle off Interstate 90, the Cle Elum area is a jackpot for snowmobiling in Washington, with over 600 miles of groomed trails. The incredible diversity of routes caters to every experience level. Enjoy touring lakes, skirting summits, and sweeping mountain views. The closest sno-park to town is Evergreen, while to the north you’ll find trail access at The Last Resort on Cle Elum Lake. In addition to lodging, the resort has an amazing fleet of rentals and a service center onsite for folks bringing their own vehicle.
In town, MotorToys Rentals and Tours offers rentals, including enclosed toboggans for towing kids, plus bus service to the trailhead. Stay west of Cle Elum at Suncadia Resort for stellar amenities, gorgeous views, and easy access to guided winter adventures, including one or two-hour snowmobile tours with MotorToys.
Also See: Winter Getaway in the Cascade Mountains
Best For: Independent Adventures
Mount Baker
A number of smaller snowmobile trail systems crisscross the snow-laden forests and dramatic mountain country around Mount Baker east of Bellingham. The largest connects to Canyon Creek Sno-Park in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest near the Canadian border. To the south, a 19-mile trail system from the Mt. Baker NRA Sno-Park beckons riders with meadows and quiet backcountry. East of Baker Lake, the Anderson Creek/Watson Sno-Park trails trace the ridges of Anderson Butte overlooking the lake.
The Northwest Glacier Cruisers, a local snowmobile club, maintains a number of warming huts at sno-parks in the area, and non-members are welcome to join their events and rides.
Mount Spokane
Clocking in at 5,883 feet of elevation and surrounded by Mount Spokane State Park, Mount Spokane is a fantastic choice for snowmobiling in Washington’s east side. Head to Mt. Spokane Sno-Park for 58 miles of groomed trails that take you deep into the forests of the Selkirk Mountains. Off Road Vixens focuses on backcountry motorsports, including snowmobiling (keep an eye out for their all-women snowmobiling seminars) or time your visit for the second weekend in November to attend the annual Snow & ATV Show at the Spokane Fairgrounds and Expo Center.
Also See: Where to Ski & Snowboard
Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount St. Helens
For spectacular views of a volcano, head to the forested eastern skirt of Mount St. Helens, where you’ll find two sno-parks and 25 miles of trails. For an even closer look, Wakepish Sno-Park’s groomed trail system includes some routes that lead to the mountain’s blast zone.
In nearby Gifford Pinchot National Forest, over 150 miles of groomed trails snake and weave through remote forests between Lone Butte, Flattop, and Atkisson Sno-Parks. This trail system brings snowmobilers past impressive views of Mount Adams, mountain meadows, and high-elevation lakes. To get the skinny on the area, check posts from Mt. Adams Snowmobile Club and Mt. St. Helens Trac Riders.
Also See: Where to Stay for a Cozy Winter Getaway
Colville National Forest
In the northeast corner of the state, Colville National Forest is a treasure trove of remote groomed snowmobile trails best for experienced riders with their own rigs. While Old Dominion Sno-Park is the closest access, Mill Creek Sno-Park is especially convenient because the Beaver Creek Lodge is just a stone’s throw away, with accommodations and a restaurant catering to snowmobilers. Farther east, Kings Lake Sno-Park provides access to a huge trail system (hundreds of miles) that crosses over into Idaho.
Skagit County
East of Mount Vernon, a network of trails meanders around the meadows and forests of Finney Peak and Round Mountain in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This 63-mile system dips into lower elevations, so it’s at its best during higher snowpack years. Start from Finney Creek Sno-Park in the north or from Selgesen Creek Sno-Park to access the winding Selegeson Ridge, which overlooks expansive vistas of the Stillaguamish River Valley and Whitehorse Mountain. The Northwest Glacier Cruisers snowmobile club hosts events throughout the season and welcomes non-members.
About the Author
Ellee Thalheimer is a freelance writer and guidebook author based in the Pacific Northwest who has contributed to publications like Lonely Planet Guidebooks, Alaska Airlines Magazine, and Adventure Cyclist Magazine. When she can’t get outside, she writes fiction, drinks local IPAs, and perfects her handstands.