Edison Butte Sno Park, also called Edison Sno Park, is a winter wonderland for ungroomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Edison Butte is one of a dozen or so snow parks near Bend. It has some charms that the others don’t! At the same time, there are some drawbacks to consider.
In this guide, we’ll give you our local tips to help you make the most of your visit Edison Butte Sno Park near Bend.
Edison Butte Sno Park: Must Know Information
Before embarking on your winter adventure, here are some key details you should know.
Location and Accessibility
Edison Butte Sno Park is easy to access from Bend. Just 22 miles from Bend, it typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to drive there without traffic.
Local tip: Ski traffic to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort can be bad on Century Drive from 7:30 am to 9:30 am and 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm on weekends with good snow.
From Bend, head west on Century Drive, then turn left onto NF-45. Edison Butte Sno Park will be on your right.
Parking Permit
You must have a Sno-Park Parking Permit to park at Edison Butte Sno Park (more on that below).
Dogs are permitted
You can bring your dog to Edison Butte Sno Park. They are allowed on all trails.
Parking
The parking is large and rarely fills up. However, it is possible on crowded weekends parking will be tight, especially considering snowmobile trailers.
In the rare case the lot is full, here is a backup plan: check out other sno-parks near Bend. There are several on the way back to Bend.
Restrooms
Primitive restroom facilities are available and are typically well-maintained for visitor convenience.
Winter Activities at Edison Butte Sno Park
When you arrive at Edison Butte Sno Park, you’ll be greeted by a variety of fun winter activities. Here’s what you can expect:
Cross-Country Skiing
Edison Butte Sno Park has ungroomed, marked cross-country skiing trails. There is a large network of trails, with a variety of loops.
Snowshoeing
You’ll find a large network of dedicated, marked snowshoeing trails at Edison Butte Sno Park. The various loop options allow you to customize your adventure. Of course, you can also go off trail.
Snowmobiling
Edison Sno Park is a popular snowmobiling launching spot to access over 180 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.
There is a large network of snowmobile trails in Central Oregon that are accessible from a variety of snow parks. See a full map of snowmobile trails west of Bend here: USFS snowmobile trail map.
Warming Shelters
There are two warming shelters accessible via the ski and snowshoe trail network at Edison Sno Park.
Edison Butte Sno Park Trail Map
The Warming Hut Experience
Many snow parks near Bend have warming huts (also known as shelters) that usually have a wood stove and benches.
These warming huts serve as a cozy refuge for visitors and are especially delightful during stormy weather.
There are two different warming shelters you can access from Swampy Lakes Sno Park. Although the Edison Shelter is closed for repairs as of October 2023. See the trail map above.
There are usually other folks warming up around the wood stove, so the shelters are also a great place to socialize.
Local tip: We recommend bringing a hot drink or even a picnic lunch.
Maintenance and Volunteer Support at Edison Butte Sno Park
The warming shelters and ski/snowshoe trails at Edison Butte Sno Park are maintained by the Central Oregon Nordic Club. Consider showing your support via a donation.
The snowmobile trails at Edison Butte Sno Park are maintained by the Moon Country Snowbusters. Consider supporting via a donation for their hard work.
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.
- Pine Mountain Sports: This is 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 Edison Butte Sno Park between November 1st and April 30th. You can buy the permit for three different intervals. Prices are as of November 2024, although 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
Edison Butte Weather Forecasts and Other Resources
You can find up-to-date road cameras and road conditions on TripCheck.
Here is an up-to-date weather forecast for Edison Butte Sno Park: NOAA weather forecast.
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, Edison Butte 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!
