Wanoga Snopark Shelter, Oregon

The purpose of the project is to provide additional winter recreation opportunities along Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway including a new warming shelter at a designated snow play area on the Deschutes National Forest.

	Wanoga Snopark Shelter

Project sponsor: Moon Country Snowmobile Club and U.S. Forest Service

Award Category: Construction and Design

Congressional District: Greg Walden (D-2-OR)

Senators: Ron Wyden (D) and Gordon Smith (R)

2008 Annual Achievement Award winner: for trail projects funded through the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration. Awarded by the Coalition for Recreational Trails.

Interior of Wanoga Snopark Shelter

The shelter was completed under budget by $5,000 by the Moon Country Snowmobile Club with coordination from the U.S. Forest Service. The snowmobile club members volunteered nearly 4,500 hours for construction and volunteers continue to maintain the shelter. All materials were purchased with RTP grant funds with volunteers using the club’s tools.

This project provides a new snow play facility while also replacing an existing warming shelter. There is currently a lack of safe, designated snow play areas on the Deschutes National Forest, and especially in the area of the CLSB. There are other areas, which are used for snow play, that are not official or considered safe. The nearest official non-fee snow play area is at least 50 miles away. The CLSB is a natural magnet for winter related sports due to consistent snow and numerous other snoparks. Snow play is discouraged at the other snoparks along CLSB.

	The Wanoga Snopark snowmobile staging and parking area

The new snow park is designed for families and groups interested in nonmotorized snow play, i.e., tubing and sledding. Has a 97 car parking area (please park diagonally, vehicle length limit of 24 ft. and trailers prohibited, sledding hill, restrooms and fire rings. Provides a designated and relatively safe sledding hill option. State sno-park permit required for parking.

Also provided out of the snow play parking area are three kilometers of nordic trails that are groomed for dogs and their skiing or snowshoeing human guardians. Dogs are permitted on leash only and at all times while on the slope or in the sno-park. Human visitors are not required to have a dog but, dogs must be accompanied by humans. Leashes are required in the sno-park area, clean up after your pet and please maintain voice or physical control of your dog while on the trails.

For more information:

Larry Lancaster (Moon Country) Moon Country Snowmobile Club, 1230 NE 3rd Street, Suite A-262, Bend, OR 97701. Phone: (541) 388 1480
Marv Lang (USFS). Phone: (541) 383-4793
Public Lands Information Center website

For more great trails, see:

• The South Dakota Trails page and nationwide index of state-by-state trail links
  • Featured National Recreation Trails in South Dakota

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• 2000

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