Sno-Park | Dogs Allowed |
Ski Trails |
Dedicated Snowshoe Trail(s) |
Warming Shelter(s) |
Miles from Bend |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | ||||
Edison (CLOSED) | | | | 23 | |
Meissner | | | | 14 | |
Newberry (10 Mile) | | | 34 | ||
Santiam Pass (Ray Benson) | | | 45 | ||
Skyliners | | 11 | |||
Swampy | | | 16 | ||
Three Creek Lakes | | | | 34 | |
Vista Butte | 18 | ||||
Wanoga | | | | | 15 |
Scroll down the page to discover Nordic skiing and snowshoeing opportunities in Central Oregon. You'll find information about all of the trails maintained by CONC volunteers on behalf of the Forest Service, as well as trails maintained by other volunteer organizations. Or, use the table above to help choose a Sno-Park that has the features that you are seeking for your adventure. Then click on the name of any Sno-Park to jump to an overview of that park with links to downloadable maps, trail descriptions for several of the more popular parks, weather forecasts, and more!
The Forest Service Trail Maps Page includes links to all available Winter Trail maps in the Deschutes National Forest, including maps not maintained by CONC.
Numerous Nordic and dedicated snowshoe trails are accessible from Sno-Parks west of Bend along and near Century Drive (also known as the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway/Oregon Rt. 372). Snow and trail conditions can vary considerably within and among the Sno-Parks, which makes this area a popular destination for finding the perfect spot for your winter adventure! If conditions at your first choice are less than ideal, there's a good chance that the snow will be better at a nearby Sno-Park at a higher elevation or the winds less fierce at a lower elevation.
The “One Map” showing everything for winter sports along the Cascades Lakes Scenic Byway west of Bend:
| The “One Snowshoe Map” showing all of the snowshoe trails along the Cascades Lakes Scenic Byway, highlighting trail distance and difficulty. Includes written descriptions and distances for all of the trails shown on the map as well as other area snowshoe trails. | During the winter (November 1 – May 1), dogs are not allowed in an area north of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway on the Deschutes National Forest. For more information, check the Deschutes National Forest information page on seasonal dog leash restrictions. |
Trails in this area include easy terrain with open views, moderate trails through old-growth hemlock forest, and more challenging trails that access the high backcountry around Broken Top and Tumalo Mountains. Todd Lake is a popular destination for both skiers and snowshoers. For the ambitious skiers, leaving a car at Swampy Lakes Sno-Park and skiing the Flagline Trail from Dutchman to Swampy Lakes is a fun way to spend a day. Snowmobiles also use this Sno-Park, so parking can be a challenge. However, the Dutchman trails can also be accessed from the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center - Common Corridor (Elev. 6335’). The Nordic Center charges a fee for use of its groomed ski and snowshoe trails, but you can get a free Common Corridor Pass from the ticket office to access the ungroomed Dutchman trails via the Common Corridor. Free parking at the Mt. Bachelor West Village parking area (Sno-Park pass not required!). Avenza Map |
These trails offer rolling terrain on lava fields through old-growth Ponderosa forest, and a more challenging six-mile ski loop to the AC/DC shelter, with views of Mt. Bachelor. The Edison shelter is currently closed due to structural issues, and we are making plans to build a replacement shelter soon. The largest network of dedicated snowshoe trails in the area is out of the Edison Sno-Park, including access to both shelter sites. Snowmobiles also use this Sno-Park for access to their separate network of trails.
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This area includes a network of 30 miles of groomed skate and classic ski trails of a variety of difficulties that are maintained by the Meissner Nordic community. There is groomed access to two shelters that Meissner Nordic also maintains. There are snowshoe trails that begin at the Meissner Sno-Park that access the Meissner and Nordeen shelters. These trails and the Nordeen shelter are maintained by CONC volunteers. Avenza Map |
There are a number of easy to moderate trails in the Swampy Lakes trail system, including access to three warming shelters. The three-mile loop that includes access to the Swampy Shelter is very popular. There is also access to the Meissner groomed trail system from the Swampy Lakes Sno-Park. And new in 2023, there are new loop options for access to the Swampy Shelter, and re-routing of some trails to make them skiable in a wider range of conditions. Snowshoers have trails to access to the Swampy Lakes and Nordeen Shelters and there are a variety of snowshoe loops of varying difficulty. UPDATED! Printable, non-georeferenced map including the new for 2023/24 Crosscut and Shelter Nordic Trails and Porcupine Snowshoe Summit Bypass! |
These trails are moderate in difficulty and provide skiing through open Lodgepole pine forest, with nice views of Mt. Bachelor and the Cascades. Vista Butte is a popular destination for backcountry downhill skiing. There is a dedicated snowshoe trail to the summit of Vista Butte that is new in 2023. A snowmobile trail cuts through this area as well. The Vista Butte Sno-Park is a small wide spot on the highway near Milepost 19; if it’s full, the trails can also be accessed from Kapka Sno-Park. Weather Forecast |
Trails at Wanoga provide the only local machine-groomed Nordic ski trails that also allow dogs. There is a short snowshoe loop, a sledding hill, and groomed fat bike trails as well. The east parking area provides access to the nordic trails and sledding area, while the west parking area is used by snowmobiles for access to their trails. These trails are maintained by DogPAC and COTA. Weather Forecast |
Yes, there are Sno-Parks in Central Oregon that are not along the popular Century Drive corridor! These range from Skyliners, the Sno-Park closest to Bend, to Santiam Pass/Ray Benson, the furthest from Bend, to Three Creek Lakes near Sisters, to Newberry Caldera/10 Mile near La Pine.
The trails from 10-Mile are shared by skiers and snowshoers. A pleasant day of skiing or snowshoeing can include a stop at Paulina Lake Lodge for lunch. But before you go, check to make sure it is open! Weather Forecast |
Trails out of the Ray Benson Sno-Park provide loops of a variety of lengths and at all ability levels. Skiers and snowshoers have shared access to trails. These trails are maintained by the Willamette chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club. There are three shelters in this winter trail system - North Blowout, Island Junction and Brandenburg Shelters, and there is a warming hut at the Sno-Park. Snowmobiles also use this Sno- Park and have separate trails, and share the use of the shelters with skiers and snowshoers. Avenza map |
The Skyliners winter trails are shared by skiers, snowshoers and fat bike folks. The most popular trail is the Tumalo Creek Nordic Loop, which heads to Tumalo Falls. Avenza map |
The trails at Three Creek Lakes Sno-Park provide snowshoers and skiers with stunning views of the Three Sisters and Broken Top. The terrain is mostly open and the trails wander through an area that was burned in recent fires. The Jeff View Shelter is a popular destination for skiers and snowshoers. These trails are maintained by the Sisters Trails Alliance. Avenza Map |