Swampy Lakes Sno-Park is a winter wonderland near Bend for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
In fact, Swampy Lakes is one of our go-to snow parks near Bend Oregon because it has one of the largest networks of Nordic ski trails and snowshoe trails.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before visiting Swampy Lakes Sno-Park, including our local knowledge to help you make the most of this snowy paradise.
We’ll also compare Swampy Lakes Snow Park to other snow parks near Bend.
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Swampy Lakes Sno Park: Must Know Information
Before embarking on your winter adventure, here are some key details you need to know.
Location and Accessibility:
Swampy Lakes Sno Park is easy to access from Bend. Just 16 miles from Bend, it usually takes about 20 minutes to get there without traffic.
To get there, head west on Century Drive (which turns into the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway), and turn right into the parking lot.
Local tip: Expect traffic on Century Drive to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort on weekends between 7:30 am and 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
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 Swampy (more details below).
Dogs are not permitted:
You cannot bring your dog to Swampy Lakes during the winter. Learn about which sno-parks allow dogs in our full guide to sno-parks near Bend.
Restrooms:
Primitive restroom facilities are available and are typically well-maintained.
Swampy Lakes Sno-Park Trail Map
There are a variety of groomed and ungroomed Nordic ski trails you can access from Swampy Sno-Park as well as several marked snowshoe trails.
Winter Activities at Swampy Lakes Sno-Park
When you arrive at Swampy Lakes Snow Park, you’ll be greeted by a variety of fun winter activities. Here’s what you can expect.
Cross-Country Skiing at Swampy Lakes
Swampy Lakes Sno Park has access to both groomed and ungroomed Nordic ski trails that are marked. These trails connect in with those at Virginia Meissner.
Take your pick from numerous trails and loop options. If you are okay with ungroomed trails, we recommend aiming for one of the three warming shelters and trying to make a loop.
Gear Check: Layers are critical to staying warm while playing outside. We can’t recommend this Blackstrap Baselayer Hoodie enough. Its super functional and made by a local Bend company! Logan has 5 pairs and wears them for any outdoor adventure.
The table below shows popular loop options for Nordic skiing at Swampy Lakes Snow Park.
| Loop | Distance | Description |
| Swampy Lakes Loop | 2.3 or 4 miles | Almost completely ungroomed. Visits the Swampy Lakes Shelter. |
| Nordeen Loop | 4 miles | Mostly ungroomed. Visits the Nordeen Shelter. |
| Ridge Loop | 2.6 miles | All ungroomed. |
| Beginner Loop | 2.25 miles | All ungroomed. |
| Swede ridge Loop | 4.6 miles | All ungroomed. Visits the Swede Ridge Shelter. |
If you are skate skiing or prefer to classic ski on groomed trails, you might consider the Tangent Loop which intersects with trails at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park.
Snowshoeing at Swampy Lakes
If snowshoeing is more your style, you’ll find a variety of snowshoeing trails at Swampy Lakes Sno Park. The loop options allow you to customize your adventure.
We recommend going for the Porcupine Snowshoe Loop to Swampy Shelter or the Nordeen Snowshoe Tie to the Nordeen Shelter.
The table below shows popular loop options for snowshoeing at Swampy Lakes.
| Snowshoe Loop | Distance | Description |
| Porcupine Loop | 3.5 – 4.5 miles | Visits the Swampy Lakes Shelter. |
| Short Loop | 1.75 miles | Relatively flat and forested. |
| Long Loop (includes Short Loop) | 3.25 miles | Relatively flat and forested. |
| Long Loop with Nordeen Tie | 4.75 miles | Visits the Nordeen Shelter. |
Warming Shelters at Swampy Lakes
There are three warming shelters accessible via Swampy Lakes Sno Park. These are a great place to get out of the cold and chat with other people.
These are the Swampy Shelter, Swede Ridge Shelter, and the Nordeen Shelter. All are great! The Swede Ridge Shelter is the furthest from the parking lot.
Note that there are no groomed ski trails that provide access to any shelter and that the Swede Ridge Shelter cannot be accessed by snowshoeing.
Our Take:
Overall, Swampy Lakes is a great spot for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. There’s a huge network of trails and usually less crowds than Virginia Meissner. There are no snowmobile trails at Swampy Lakes.
Where to Rent Gear 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: Another great option for renting winter gear in Bend.
How to Buy a Sno-Park Permit
You must have a parking permit to park at Swampy Lakes Sno-Park between November 1st and April 30th.
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.
Weather Forecasts and Other Resources
You can find road cameras and current road conditions on TripCheck. Check out this up-to-date Swampy Lakes Sno-Park NOAA weather forecast.
Don’t forget to read the official USFS webpage before you set out.
Trail Maintenance and Volunteer Support
Maintaining Swampy Lakes Sno-Park is a much appreciated and collaborative effort. The Central Oregon Nordic Club, a chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club, maintains the ski and snowshoe trails at Three Creek Sno Park. Consider donating on their website.
Comparing Swampy Lakes Sno-Park to Other Snow Parks Near Bend
In our opinion, Swampy is one of the best sno-parks near Bend for cross-country skiing for several reasons:
- There are a ton of groomed and ungroomed ski trails (possibly more than any other sno-park in central Oregon). This also spreads out the crowds.
- There is no annoying snowmobile noise to ruin a peaceful vibe.
- There are three different warming shelters you can ski to.
That said, there are less expansive views at Swampy compared to other sno-parks like Dutchman and Three Creeks.
On the plus side, many of the trails at Swampy are protected by trees, which make Swampy a good choice for days with more wind and snow.
Learn more about other sno-parks in our full guide to Bend sno-parks.
Other Places to Snowshoe and Cross-Country Ski Near Bend
There are other lots of other options to snowshoe and cross-country ski near Bend.
In fact, there are 11 sno-parks within 35 miles of Bend and most have cross country skiing or snowshoeing.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort has an expansive network of Nordic trails that range in difficulty. They also have a variety of snowshoe trails.
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
We hope this guide helps you plan your visit to Swampy Lakes Sno-Park.
If you are in Bend in the winter, learn more fun things to do in Bend in the winter, including our full guide to skiing near Bend.
We also have a lot of other articles about Central Oregon.
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