Ten Mile Sno-Park (also spelled as Ten Mile Snow Park and 10-Mile Snow Park) in central Oregon is an excellent place to enjoy winter activities like snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Unique attractions like Paulina Falls, Paulina Lake, and the natural beauty of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument make this a top-tier snow park near Bend Oregon.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know before visiting Ten Mile Sno-Park plus our local tips to make the most of your visit.
We’ll also compare Ten Mile Sno-Park to other snow parks in central Oregon to help you decide if there is a better option for you.
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Ten Mile Sno-Park: Must Know Information
Before you head out, keep in mind these important considerations.
Location and accessibility
Ten Mile Sno-Park is located in the beautiful Newberry National Volcanic Monument, near Paulina Lake, about 40 minutes south-east of Bend, Oregon.
From Bend, head south on Highway 97 before turning east onto Paulina-East Lake Road. In the winter, the road is closed past Ten Mile Sno-Park.
The parking lot is large with room for dozens of vehicles and trailers.
Elevation and Weather
Ten Mile Sno-Park has elevations that range from about 5,500 to 6,500 feet (1,670 to 1,980 meters).
This area gets a lot of snow and almost always has snow on the ground during the winter months. Be cautious of winter road conditions.
Sno Park Permit
Like with most snow parks near Bend, a sno-park permit is required to park at Ten Mile Sno-Park. More details on how to buy an Oregon sno-park permit below.
Dogs are permitted
At Ten Mile Sno-Park, dogs are permitted. At some central Oregon snow parks, dogs are not allowed. Officially, dogs must be leashed.
Winter Activities at Ten Mile Sno-Park
Ten Mile Sno-Park is one of the best spots in central Oregon for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Unique to this stunning area, Paulina Falls and Paulina Lake make Ten Mile Sno-Park extra special.
Ten Mile Sno-Park Trail Map
Below is the official USFS trail map for Ten Mile Sno-Park. We also have a link to the snowmobile trail map below.
Cross-Country Skiing at Ten Mile Sno Park
There is a small network of marked and ungroomed Nordic ski trails at Ten Mile Snow Park that total about 10 miles (see the trail map above).
These include the Ponderosa Rim Trail, which borders Paulina Creek, Paulina View Trail, and the Paulina Nordic Loop, which is closer to Paulina Lake.
Local tip: We love the Ponderosa Rim Trail because it offers views of the creek and leads to Paulina Falls. We also like the Paulina Nordic Loop, which offers great views of beautiful Paulina Lake. From Ten Mile Sno-Park, this loop is about 7 miles total.
Keep in mind: These trails are marked but ungroomed and can be challenging. You can also ski on Paulina-East Road, as it is closed past the snow park, and offers a level surface which can be nice for cross-country skiing.
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.
Ten Mile Sno Park Snowshoeing
There are no dedicated or marked snowshoe trails at Ten Mile Sno-Park.
However, you can follow the Nordic ski trails, the snowmobile trails, or the Paulina-East Road which leads to Paulina Falls and Paulina Lake.
It is proper etiquette to snowshoe alongside the ski tracks rather than directly on them, especially during fresh snow, as it can make skiing more difficult.
That said, when the snow is packed down and hard, snowshoeing does not make a big difference.
Snowmobiling Ten Mile Sno-Park
Ten Mile Sno-Park provides access to a large network of snowmobile trails that cover an extensive area within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
There are both groomed and ungroomed snowmobile trails that traverse a variety of terrain varying in difficulty. There are over 155 miles of groomed trails!
These snowmobile trails at Ten Mile Sno-Park are maintained and groomed by the La Pine Lodgepole Dodgers Snowmobile Club, which also maintains OHV trails in the summer.
Check out the updated Ten Mile Sno-Park snowmobile trail map.
Winter Hiking at Ten Mile
Winter hiking is possible at Ten Mile Sno-Park, but caution should be taken as there is almost always snow on the ground during the winter months.
We recommend keeping an eye on the weather forecast and only hiking at Ten Mile Sno-Park after a few days of warmer weather when the snow has had time to harden up.
We have parked at the snow park and hiked to Paulina Falls and Paulina Lake following the Ponderosa Rim Trail.
That said, it is highly recommended to bring snowshoes or cross-country skis if you have them. Alternatively, choose one of the more approachable winter hikes near Bend.
Paulina Falls and Paulina Lake
Two of the main attractions at Ten Mile Sno-Park are Paulina Falls and Paulina Lake.
Paulina Falls is a beautiful waterfall at the outfall of Paulina Lake that can be partially frozen during especially cold temperatures.
In the summer, you can park just steps from the waterfall, but in the winter, it is about 2.5 miles from Ten Mile Sno-Park.
The sparkling Paulina Lake is about a quarter mile further. You can explore the shores of the lake and get amazing views of the surrounding topology.
Paulina Lake Lodge
Another special park of this area is Paulina Lake Lodge. Though it is most popular in the summer, Paulina Lake Lodge operates year-round.
You can stay in a rustic cabin in the depth of winter, but you have to use your own snowmobile or pay for a sno-cat shuttle to get from Ten Mile Sno-Park to your cabin.
They also have a restaurant and cocktail bar which is open in the winter (be sure to check their hours). This is a great option for overnight stays but also for lunch during a day trip.
How to Buy a Sno Park Permit
You must have a permit to park at Sno-Parks between November 1st and April 30th. These permits fund the removal of snow from the parking lots. You can buy the permit for three different intervals: annual, 3-day consecutive, daily.
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.
Renting and Maintaining Equipment
Renting cross-country skis and snowshoes in Bend is a breeze. These Bend ski shops also offer tune and repair services.
| Shop | Established | Snowshoe Rentals | XC Ski Rentals | Tune and Repair Services |
| Powder House Ski & Snowboard | 1976 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mountain Supply | 1980 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pine Mountain Sports | 2000 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Latitude 44 Sports | 2018 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center | 1984 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
You can rent snowmobiles in Bend from Cascade Lakes Adventures, Central Oregon Rentals, or Adrenaline Rentals.
Ten Mile Sno-Park Road Conditions and Weather Forecast
ODOT’s Trip Check website is a top resource for road conditions. There is a road camera on Highway 97 that can give you an idea of the conditions. Keep in mind Ten Mile Snow Park is about 1,500 feet higher than this camera.
For weather, check out this NOAA weather forecast.
Other Places to Snowshoe and Nordic Ski Near Bend
Fortunately, there are tons of amazing places 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 and snowshoeing. Learn more in our full guide to sno-parks near Bend.
In addition to snow parks, 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.
Other Things to do Near Ten Mile Sno-Park
It’s worth noting that Six Mile Sno-Park (also spelled as 6 Mile Sno-Park) just down the road from Ten Mile Sno-Park.
There are no marked snowshoeing or Nordic ski trails at Six Mile Snow Park. Its main function is a snowmobile staging area.
La Pine State Park is a great place to check out in the winter and the summer. There is an awesome campground, and they even have some cozy heated cabins open year-round.
Of course, Sunriver is a great spot to explore, offering some excellent restaurants, cafes, and family friendly activities. Don’t miss Sunriver Brewing for a top-notch beer.
Conclusion
We hope you feel prepared and excited to explore Ten Mile Sno-Park!
Learn more about other snow parks near Bend. There’s a lot of other great spots to enjoy the sparkling central Oregon winters!
Check out our other articles about central Oregon including things to do during winter in Bend.
As always, be sure to leave no trace and subscribe to our YouTube and follow us on Instagram to level up your PNW adventures. Happy roaming!
