Dutchman Sno Park is a winter wonderland near Bend for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
In this guide, we’ll give you local tips to help you make the most of 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 Sno Park is easy to access from Bend. Just 21 miles from Bend, and right off the main road, Dutchman Sno Park is easy to reach in all but the worst of winter conditions. Of course, you should have snow-worthy tires. The roads and parking lot can be icy and snowy.
- 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. You must buy it at local outdoor stores or you can purchase the annual version online (more info below).
- Dogs are not permitted: You cannot bring your dog to Dutchman Sno Park. Learn more about which snow parks allow dogs in our full guide to snow parks near Bend.
Winter Activities at Dutchman Sno Park
When you arrive at Dutchman Sno Park, you’ll be greeted by a variety of fun winter activities. Here’s what you can expect:
- Cross-Country Skiing: Dutchman Sno Park has a large network of ungroomed Nordic ski trails with countless loops to choose from. We recommend heading over to Todd Lake, even if it might be completely iced over!
- Snowshoeing: If snowshoeing is more your style, you’ll find a variety of snowshoeing trails at Dutchman Sno Park. The loop options allow you to customize your adventure. There is one main loop that takes hikers up to Todd Lake.
- Snowmobiling: Dutchman provides access to a large network of snowmobile trails north of Century Drive. These connect in with Three Creek Sno Park to the north.
Overall, Dutchman Sno Park is a great spot for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Dutchman Sno Park Trail Map
Parking and Facilities at Dutchman Sno Park
- Parking: The parking lot can get crowded, especially on weekends. Arrive before 9:00 am or after 2:00 pm for the best chance to secure a spot. If the lot is full, here is a backup plan: check out one of the other snow parks near Bend. Also be aware, the traffic to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort can be really bad on weekends especially from 7:30 am to 9:30 am and 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
- Restrooms: Primitive restroom facilities are available and are typically well-maintained.
Other Highlights of Dutchman Sno Park
There are many ways to enjoy Dutchman Sno Park, including these you may not have thought of.
- Night Skiing: Consider packing your headlamp (and some batteries or second light source) and take to the trails at night for a unique experience. It is recommended to bring a buddy.
- Stargazing: Another benefit of going at night is the potential for excellent stargazing. Of course, try to pick a clear night.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise and sunset are a great time to explore Dutchman Sno Park. Just be sure to bring a light source if you stick around after sunset.
Family-Friendly and Welcoming Community:
Dutchman Sno Park welcomes visitors of all ages and skill levels. The people in Bend and within the skiing community are typically friendly and welcoming.
Families will find the park to be a great choice. The trails are suitable for kids, and the friendly community atmosphere ensures a welcoming environment for young adventurers.
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.
More sno-park permit information:
- You can move a Sno-Park permit from one vehicle to another.
- You can use California and Idaho Sno-Park permits in Oregon.
- You can use Oregon Sno-Park permits in California and Idaho.
- You may get a fine for parking in a Sno-Park without a permit.
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.
Don’t pass up other snow parks 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.
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. You can also rent equipment at the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center.
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.
Winter Tours and Lessons in Bend
Tours and lessons are a great way to get into the winter activities near Bend.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoe Tours and Lessons
Wanderlust Tours hosts a variety of tours year round. Their winter tours include daytime and nighttime snowshoeing options.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort offers cross-country skiing lessons. This is probably the most flexible option for one-time cross country skiing lessons near Bend.
The Bend Endurance Academy offers nordic skiing lessons for all ages. These lessons are hosted weekly as part of an 8 week program. This option is great for locals who are able to attend one session each week.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dutchman Sno Park is an excellent spot for ungroomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
We hope this guide helps you plan your visit to Dutchman Sno Park, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable winter adventure. Learn more about Dutchman Sno Park on the USFS webpage.
If you are interested, learn more about other winter activities in Central Oregon, including the best places to cross-country ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile near Bend. If you’re like downhill skiing, check out our full guide to skiing near Bend.
We also have a lot of other articles about Central Oregon. If you are in Bend in the winter, learn more fun things to do in Bend in the winter.
