Skyliner Sno-Park near Bend Oregon is a winter wonderland for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking.
In fact, we might go so far as to say Skyliner Sno-Park is overall our favorite sno-park near Bend!
Skyliner is one of about a dozen sno-parks near Bend, each with their own unique charm (but also drawbacks).
Skyliner is known for up close views of the beautiful Tumalo Falls and the notable lack of snowmobile noise.
In this guide, we’ll give you our local tips to help you make the most of Skyliner Sno-Park near Bend.
Skyliner Sno-Park: Must Know Information
Before embarking on your winter adventure, here are some key details you should know.
Location and Accessibility:
Skyliner is the closest of the sno-parks near Bend. It’s only 11 miles and usually less than a 20-minute drive.
Parking Permit:
You do not need a Sno-Park Parking Permit to park at Skyliner Sno-Park. The permit is required at most of the sno-parks near Bend, but not Skyliner.
Dogs are permitted:
You can bring your dog to Skyliner Sno-Park. They are allowed on all trails. Just keep them under control at all times.
Winter Activities at Skyliner Sno-Park
Skyliner has three main winter activities: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking.
Cross-Country Skiing:
Skyliner has ungroomed cross-country skiing trails. There are a few small loops suitable for Nordic skiers.
There are two small loops: the West Loop and East Loop. However, the main draw are the two trails that go to Tumalo Falls.
To get to Tumalo Falls, you can choose to take the trail (Tumalo Creek Nordic Loop) or the road (Tumalo Falls Nordic Road).
Skyliner Sno-Park Trail Map
The road is flatter (easier for cross-country skiing) and is more exposed (good for a sunny day). Alternatively, the trail has a better view of the creek!
Snowshoeing:
If snowshoeing is more your style, you can snowshoe at Skyliner, which is especially fun if there is fresh snow.
You can follow the ski trails (but be sure to not mess up the established tracks) or you can go off-trail and blaze your own path.
Winter Hiking:
Skyliner is also known for beautiful and accessible winter hiking. Of course, being at an elevation of 4,800, you can expect snow during much of the winter.
That said, due to the relatively high popularity of this park there is often snow that has been packed down and is easy to hike on (especially on the road).
Tumalo Falls:
Tumalo Falls is one of the best waterfalls near Bend. When it gets especially cold in the winter, there can be large build-ups of ice around the waterfall!
Be prepared to earn those views. Tumalo Falls is about 3 miles from the winter parking area.
Overall, Skyliner Sno-Park is a great option for ungroomed Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking.
Local tip: Notice that there are no snowmobile trails at Skyliner. This is one of a handful of sno-parks in central Oregon without noisy snowmobiles.
Parking and Facilities at Skyliner Sno-Park
The parking lot can get crowded, especially on weekends. Actually, there are several options for parking.
The first is the main parking lot, but you can also park along Skyliner Road and at the gate to Tumalo Falls Road.
If you want to take Tumalo Falls Road to Tumalo Falls, the gate parking is best. However, the spots are limited, and it fills up quickly.
On weekends, arrive before 9:00 am or after 2:00 pm to get one of the better spots. That said, there is usually lots of parking along Skyliner Road even on crowded days, but you might have to walk a bit farther.
Primitive restroom facilities are available and are typically well-maintained for visitor convenience.
How We Like to Enjoy Skyliner
Skyliner Sno-Park is one of our go-to sno-parks for sunny days. We love to take the Tumalo Falls Road and enjoy the views of Tumalo Falls.
Due to the close proximity of Bend, this is a great sno-park that can be fully enjoyed in half a day.
Check out this video of our visit to Skyliner Sno-Park on a sunny day.
Where to Rent Cross-country Skis and Snowshoes in Bend
For those without their own equipment, renting cross-country skis and snowshoes is a breeze. Check out the following places to rent gear in Bend:
- Powder House Ski & Snowboard: As one of the long-standing Bend local shops, Powder House is a go-to for winter gear rentals.
- Mountain Supply: Mountain Supply has been a fixture in the Bend ski and snowboard scene for over 40 years and offers a wide selection of winter gear rentals.
- Pine Mountain Sports: Another great option for renting winter gear in Bend.
Weather Forecasts and Other Resources
You can find up-to-date road cameras and road conditions on TripCheck.
Before you go, check the up-to-date weather forecast for Skyliner Sno-Park: NOAA weather forecast
Other Places to Snowshoe and Cross-Country Ski Near Bend
In addition to Skyliner, there are plenty of other options to snowshoe and cross-country skiing near Bend.
There are 11 sno-parks within 35 miles of Bend, and most have cross country skiing or snowshoeing. Learn more in our full guide to sno-parks near Bend.
In addition, Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort has an expansive network of Nordic trails that range in difficulty. They also have a variety of snowshoe trails. These trails are maintained to the highest quality, as a result, require a cost to use.
Hoodoo Ski Area also has a variety of Nordic trails. They groom during the weekends and charge a fee. However, when they don’t groom the trails are free.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Skyliner Sno-Park is an excellent spot for ungroomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking.
Hopefully this guide was helpful! It’s always a good idea to check out the official USFS webpage.
If you are interested, there are so many other fun winter activities in Bend, including the best places to cross-country ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile near Bend.
If you like downhill skiing, check out our full guide to skiing near Bend. We also have a lot of other articles about central Oregon. Happy roaming!
