FREE Summer Camping Opportunities In The National Forests – Sno-Parks
While traveling the high country this summer writing my travel blog (Oregon to Florida) I discovered a wonderful camping experience; US National Forest Sno-Parks. These parks are used in winter as staging areas for winter sports but are ignored in summer months. These Sno-Parks make an excellent summertime retreat.
As a bonus Sno-Park use in the summer is FREE. In winter a parking permit is required to use the parks. This minimal fee is used to pay for snow removal and other costs. FREE summertime camping does have its price; the services are minimal. As a rule “Pack It In – Pack It Out†is the standard for most Sno-Parks.
The facilities and activities vary from park to park and most are suitable for family camping. In fact many Sno-Parks have large warming huts with wood stoves, tables & chairs and a few have facilities for electric hook-ups for portable generators. These large fully equipped parks are great for group get-togethers and parties. You can not reserve warming huts.