Warm-up to winter camping

Want to try winter camping? State parks and Sno-Parks offer overnight options

Whether you’re five, 95, or anywhere in between, freshly fallen snow makes everything bright and exciting. Waking up in a snow camp can dazzle you at a whole new level.

If “curious” describes you better than “hardcore,” several Washington Sno-Parks offer gentle introductions to winter camping, with heated bathrooms, kitchen shelters, roofed cabins and miles of groomed ski and snowshoe trails. 

So come on out, get your noses cold and warm them up in a tent, hut or RV.

Lake Wenatchee State Park

Every winter, Lake Wenatchee State Park turns a lakeside day-use area into a campground. Bring shovels, dig a campsite, pitch your tent and stake it with stakes and snow anchors or snow-filled stuff sacks. Take turns clearing pow off the tent if it falls overnight!

You can spend your evening making s’mores and playing games or cards in the kitchen shelter, burrowing in your tent with downloaded entertainment (we know winter nights here are long) or trying your hand at night photography. By day, groomed ski and snowshoe trails and sledding hill make this a sparkly playground.

Lake Wenatchee sits 20 miles west of Leavenworth, where you can find a hot meal after your winter campout.

Campsites are $20 a night and $10 per extra vehicle, plus Sno-Park permit.

Fields Spring State Park

Fields Spring State Park

If you haven’t experienced the Blue Mountains in winter, Fields Spring State Park in southeastern Washington is a must-do. The park has three overnight options:

Tamarack Cabin near Wohelo Lodge sleeps four people and has a mini-fridge, bathroom with shower, microwave, coffee pot and parking spot. Don’t forget to bring towels, sleeping gear and linens. Then, check out the big sledding hill and hike to spectacular views on 10 miles of trails. Rental snowshoes may be available for $10 a day. Call the park office to reserve: 509-256-3332.

Puffer Butte Warming Hut sits at 4,500 feet and sleeps four. The hut provides a winter backpacking intro without the tent-camping part. Be sure to bring sleeping bags, sleeping pads, food and beverages. The stove is stocked with firewood – a warm welcome after the 2-mile uphill trek. Reserve this hut through the park office at $25 a night.

Note: the warming hut is open to the public all day and for emergencies 24/7.

Tent camping: Drive to Fields Spring’s campground near the bathroom and day-use warming hut and stake your tent. You’ll be doing some digging – even to park the car, since the area is not plowed. Sites are $20 a night plus Sno-Park permits. Extra vehicle - $10.

Lake Easton State Park 

This lakeshore park between Seattle and Ellensburg is a jumping off point for several Sno-Parks.

 Lake Easton State Park offers camping in the day-use area near the playground. When choosing a spot for your tent, watch for trees dropping snow bombs – they hurt! After dinner (there’s potable water for cooking available from the spigot at the back of the day-use lot), treat yourself to a shower in the heated bathroom.

Lake Easton allows RV camping in the parking lot. Sites are $12 a night, plus Sno-Park permits. Extra vehicle - $10. For a longer snowshoe or ski, hop on the neighboring Palouse to Cascades Trail.

Hut, Sweet Hut

Looking for views of Mount Rainier on a snowshoe or cross-country ski? Mount Tahoma Trails Association huts are open for day use and overnights! But hurry up and make reservations for overnight spots or keep checking back if your preferred dates are full.

Pack food, beverages, sleeping gear. Hike 4 to 6 miles depending on the hut, and settle in. Or book different huts on consecutive nights for a multi-night adventure! You’ll need reservations to stay ($15 per person), but you can pop in for the day to warm up. Sno-Park permits are required for parking.

RV camping

Many Sno-Parks allow RV parking. A few exceptions include Hyak, Gold Creek and Cabin Creek, which don’t allow overnight parking. Several Sno-Parks charge RV campers $20 a night, plus Sno-Park permits. Be sure to check with the Sno-Park's land manager for any required overnight parking fees.[SA1] 

Swauk Campground has a shelter, fireplace and trails that link to Pipe Creek and Blewett Pass. Cold-weather RVers also like Crystal Springs.

RVers will want to take emergency preparation seriously and use microspikes in icy parking lots. Campers are not allowed to salt the lots. Overnighters can light campfires in containers six inches off the ground, but not under awnings.

What to bring:

You’ve probably heard about the 10 essentials, but winter weather can take your gear needs up a few notches. Check out this winter gear list and more tips from REI.