Placer County Recreation and Activity Guide

Snow Parks of Placer County

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The SNO-PARK Program is administered by the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division. Please call the SNO-PARKS hot line at (916) 324 -1222 for more information. 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 by permit vendors throughout northern California. Day permits are sold for $5.00 and are valid for one single day. Season permits are sold for $25.00 and are valid for the entire SNO-PARK season from November 1 through May 30. 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. Any vehicle parked at a SNOPARK site without a permit properly displayed is subject to a $75.00 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. 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. Park and drive carefully within SNO-PARK sites. Watch for pedestrians. Overnight parking, including in-vehicle camping is allowed except where noted or signed at Sno-Park sites. Tent camping or sleeping outside a vehicle in the parking area is prohibited at all SNO-PARK sites. Do not build campfires on paved areas. Do not litter SNO-PARK sites. Trash containers may not be provided, pack out your own refuse. Carry a shovel and tire chains. Vehicles parked overnight need to be staked at all 4 corners with 1x2 inch by 8 foot poles to prevent accidental damage by snow removal equipment. Lock your vehicle and do not leave items of value in sight. Winter recreation activities may be hazardous. Your common sense, skill level, and use of proper clothing, respect for the terrain and weather all affect your safety. Plan your trip. Call 1 (800) 427-7623 for a CALTRANS recording on highway conditions.

Description and location of the five SNO-PARK sites in and near Placer County: 1. Yuba Pass south side of Highway 49 at Yuba Pass in Sierra County. Cross-country ski trails north of highway. Snowmobile trails both north and south side of highway. Call USFS (530) 994-3401. 2. Yuba Gap south side of I-80 at Yuba Gap exit, go to NACO/Snowflower in Nevada County. Snow play area, cross-county ski trails. No snowmobile activity. No overnight parking. No busses allowed. No parking on entry road. Call (530) 389-8241. 3. Donner Summit south side of I-80 at Castle Peak exit beyond Boreal Inn frontage road in Nevada County. Ski trails are on north side of freeway. Snow play, cross-country ski area with some snowmobiling. Call USFS (530) 587-3558. 4. Donner Lake south side of I-80 at Donner Lake exit on Donner Pass Road at Donner Memorial State Park in Nevada County. Ski trails to Donner Lake and Donner Party historic sites. Cross-county skiing. No snowmobiles. No overnight parking. Call (530) 582-7892. 5. Blackwood Canyon west side of Highway 89, three miles south of Tahoe City in Placer County. Cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails. Call USFS (530) 573-2600.