Dutchman Sno Park (also called Dutchman Flat Sno Park or simply “Dutchman”) is a winter wonderland near Bend for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Dutchman Sno-Park is about 21 miles from Bend, right across the highway from Mt. Bachelor.
While the parking lot itself is small and fills up quickly, the extensive trail network provides some incredible mountain views.
In this guide, we’ll give everything you need to in order to make the most of your visit to Dutchman Sno Park near Bend.
Dutchman Sno Park: Must Know Information
Before embarking on your winter adventure, here are some key details you need to know:
Location and Accessibility:
Dutchman is easy to access from Bend. Just 21 miles from Bend, and right off the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
Keep in mind: Ski traffic to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort can be brutal on weekends with good snow. In this case, leave Bend before 7:45 or after 10:30 am to skip the worst traffic.
Parking Permit:
You must have a Sno-Park Parking Permit to park at Dutchman Sno Park. In fact, the permit is required at most of the sno-parks near Bend (more info below).
Dogs are not permitted:
You cannot bring your dog to Dutchman. In general, dogs are only allowed at sno parks near Bend that are south of Century Drive (such as Wanoga and Edison Butte).
Winter Activities at Dutchman Sno Park
Cross-Country Skiing:
Dutchman Sno Park has a large network of ungroomed and marked Nordic ski trails with countless loops to choose from.
Snowshoeing:
If snowshoeing near Bend is more your style, you’ll find a variety of snowshoeing trails at Dutchman. The various loop options allow you to customize your adventure.
Snowmobiling:
Dutchman provides access to a large network of snowmobile trails near Bend that are north of Century Drive. These connect in with Three Creek Sno Park to the north.
For most visitors, the main draw of Dutchman Sno Park is the up-close-and-personal mountain views.
You can see Mt. Bachelor, South Sister, and Broken Top especially well from the iconic “Dutchman Flats” which is a large, exposed area without trees.
In general, the ski and snowshoe trails at Dutchman are pretty flat. We love that you can get such great views without having to hike uphill.
That said, the lack of trees and high levels of exposure make this a less-than-ideal snow park for stormy days. So, try to choose a sunny and clear day!
Local tip: If it is a stormy day, we recommend Virginia Meissner Sno Park, which has trails that are more protected from the wind.
Keep in mind: The noise from snowmobiles can be less than ideal for a peaceful ski or snowshoe. We like Skyliner, Virginia Meissner, and Swampy Lakes for less snowmobile noise.
Dutchman Sno Park Trail Map
The map below shows ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile trails at Dutchman.
Parking and Facilities at Dutchman Sno Park
Parking:
The Dutchman parking lot is very small and often fills up, especially on weekends.
Arrive before 8:00 am or after 2:00 pm on weekends for the best chance to secure a spot.
If the lot is full, you can also park at the West Village lot at Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort.
There is a connector trail (about a half mile long) called the “Common Corridor Trail” that allows access to the Dutchman network.
Restrooms:
Primitive restroom facilities are available and are typically well-maintained. However, the snow often piles up high enough where the restrooms are not accessible.
Other Highlights of Dutchman Sno Park
There are many ways to enjoy Dutchman, including these you may not have thought of.
- Night Skiing and Stargazing: There is potential for excellent stargazing at Dutchman. It’s best to be familiar with the trails before heading out at night. Always explore with a buddy.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise and sunset can be a great time to explore sno parks. Just be sure to bring a reliable light source (and a backup).
Trail Maintenance and Volunteer Support
Maintaining the park’s trails is a collaborative effort:
- Nordic Ski Trails: The Central Oregon Nordic Club, a chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club, maintains the ski and snowshoe trails at Dutchman Sno Park. Consider donating on their website.
- Snowmobile Trail Grooming: The Sisters SnoGofers Club grooms the snowmobile trails accessible from Dutchman Sno Park.
Renting Winter Equipment
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.
Where to Rent Snowmobiles in Bend
You can rent snowmobiles in Bend from Cascade Lakes Adventures, Central Oregon Rentals, or Adrenaline Rentals.
How to Buy a Sno Park Permit
You must have a parking permit to park at Dutchman Sno Park between November 1st and April 30th. You can buy the permit for three different intervals. Prices are as of October 2023; retailers may charge an additional fee.
- Annual Sno-Park Permit (November 1 – April 30) – $25
- 3-Day (consecutive) Sno-Park Permit – $9
- Daily Sno-Park Permit – $4
There are two ways to buy a sno-park permit in Bend. The first is from permit agents in retail stores. The retailers in Bend that sell the permit can be found at Oregon.gov.
The second way is to buy an annual permit online at DMV2U which includes a printable interim permit that you can use immediately.
Learn more about sno-park permits at: Oregon.gov
Weather Forecasts and Other Resources
Here is the weather forecast for Dutchman Sno Park: NOAA weather forecast.
You can also find some road cameras and road conditions on TripCheck.
Other Places to Snowshoe and Cross-Country Ski Near Bend
While Dutchman Sno Park has lots of Nordic ski trails, 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, Dutchman Sno Park is an excellent spot for ungroomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
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!
