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• Forest Service: Manages 24 million acres of public lands in the region with more than 3,000 outdoor recreation areas, facilities, and programs. View an interactive recreation opportunity map with links to the 11 national forests and grasslands in Oregon; five national forests in Washington, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area along the border of both states. Find more winter travel tips on the Pacific Northwest Winter Recreation Safety Tips webpage.
• Bureau of Land Management: Manages 16 million acres of public lands in Oregon and Washington. Outdoor winter recreation opportunities are plentiful across BLM, with great access to snow at higher elevations. Learn more by visiting https://www.blm.gov/visit.
• Sno-Parks in Oregon and Washington: Provide opportunities for general snow play like snowtubing and sledding, non-motorized activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and motorized activities like snowmobiling. Sno-Parks may be located on state or federal land, but a state-issued permit is required, which pays for snow removal and winter facilities maintenance.
• Sno-Park Parking Permits: One-day or seasonal parking permits can be purchased online or through authorized vendors in Oregon and Washington (you must purchase a pass valid for the state you plan to use it in; Oregon and Washington passes are not interchangeable). Display your pass on your vehicle dashboard, visible through the lower-left corner of your windshield.

• Research the weather forecast prior to your trip. Weather conditions can vary greatly, especially in the mountain passes. The National Weather Service website is a good place to start. Also check NOAA. Use SNOTEL to view daily and seasonal snow data, by station or basin.
• Ensure your snow play activity is permitted at your destination. Remember that snow play is not allowed adjacent to freeway overpasses, exits, and onramps.
• Plan to arrive early to your destination and avoid peak hours, as parking lots fill up quickly. Consider arriving in the afternoon when the first wave of visitors may be leaving. If your destination is unavailable, have a plan B and a plan C.
• Let someone who isn’t traveling with you or your group know where you’re going and when you expect to return.

• Check road conditions before to heading to your destination. Review Oregon’s tripcheck.com with live webcams or Washington’s real-time travel data.
• Check for avalanche conditions through the Northwest Avalanche Center.
• Equip your vehicle for winter travel—with tire chains, shovel, first aid kit, blankets, and flashlights. Traveling through mountain passes may require tire chains; make sure your chains fit your vehicle.
• Travel on a full tank of gas and stop frequently for fill-ups; keep your tank at least half-filled as you travel. Fuel stations can be few and far between in some areas. Plan your next stop before you leave your current one.
• Most BLM and Forest Service roads are not maintained for winter travel. Many roads close for the season upon the first significant snowfall or on Dec. 1—whichever comes first.
• If you find yourself stranded, stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help, and wait until help arrives.
• Park in authorized areas, only. Do not park along highways! Illegally parked vehicles block emergency vehicle access and interfere with snow removal.

• Dress in layers of warm, waterproof clothing, and pack extra layers.
• Make sure you have the right gear in your car, including an emergency kit with extra food and water in case you become stranded. If going into the backcountry, carry avalanche beacons.
• Bring a paper map. Don’t rely on your phone for navigation as coverage may be unavailable. Online services, such as Google Maps and Apple Maps, may suggest a route that’s closed by snow. You can download USGS and USFS maps to your electronic device using an app, such as Avenza, but you may not be able to recharge your device if you are stranded.

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