Thursday, October 4, 2018

Sno-Parks



Close observers of this blog are aware that our style of overnight stays has changed over time to almost an obsession with free locations. In the RV world it is some times referred to as stealth camping, dry camping, or boon docking. Basically we like to use places where we can park for free overnight.  It's not really camping, we don't build a fire, set up chairs, or have a barbecue.  We just have four wheels touching the ground.  We are completely self-contained. We don't need restrooms, electricity, or water. We are quiet, and in the morning we move on to our next adventure. We have used retail parking lots, rest areas, national forest lands, and - - - Sno-Parks.

Coming home on Tuesday over the Santiam Pass, we stopped to give Buster a break at the Maxwell Butte Sno-Park.  This is where the two sign photos were taken.  In years gone by Jeanette and I did a lot of Cross-Country Skiing, so we have experience with a good number of Sno-Parks for ski trips.   In our present more sedate life style of RV travel, we have used a number of Sno-Parks for overnight parking.  In the winter, Sno-Parks can be busy places with skiers, snow-mobiles and snow-plows coming and going.  But once the snow is gone, these parking lots are for the most part deserted, and stay so through out the summer. The winter season is on its way now and come November 1st a Sno-Park Parking Permit will be needed to use the parking lot.

If you are interested in exploring this more, here is a list of 19 Sno-Parks from the Destinations section of Cascade Ramblings.  Click here.


4 comments:

  1. Great information. You two are so resourceful!

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  2. Free is nice but I feel safer with people around and the amenities of parks & resorts.

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    1. Hi Igor, just to be clear, we don't spend the day there, just park for the night. During the day we are out making a day camp at some scenic location or park, birding or hiking.

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  3. Life has changed. My parents camped a lot and were horrified that my husband and I were willing to camp in many federal campground. In all seriousness they told us of the many small town dumps they had parked at. unfortunately that's no longer an option. ... but I thought it would give you a good chuckle.

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