Imagine whizzing down backcountry roads with trees shrouded in fluffy snow, over the meadows and down thrilling slopes. Whether you’re an experienced rider or looking to try a new activity, snowmobiling lets you do it all. It’s safe and easy on a tour with expert guides. Here’s how to get started, where to go and how to get the gear you need.
Take a Guided Tour That’s Great for Beginners
There are several options to ride along with knowledgeable guides in Central Oregon’s wondrous snowy landscapes — reservations are a must. Based at Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno-Park, 14 miles from Bend, Central Oregon Adventures offers daily guided snowmobiling trips. For the popular 2-hour tour, guides take small groups of visitors — anyone over the age of 18 with a driver’s license — into the Deschutes National Forest between Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters Wilderness. You can choose either single- or double-seat snowmobiles. Other options include a 2-hour daily sunset tour that takes riders up into the Cascades for a scenic view as the sun dips below the horizon, as well as 4-hour trips that venture deeper into the backcountry and include a stop for refreshments at Elk Lake Resort.
Just a bit farther from Bend at Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Octane Adventures offers guided snowmobile tours from Ten Mile Sno-Park, 20 miles from Sunriver. Experts lead riders on 2- and 4-hour tours around the caldera, as well as sunset tours. If you can, opt for the longer outing, which includes a welcoming stop at the Paulina Lake Lodge to warm up and enjoy a beverage or meal. Opt for a single- or double-seat snowmobile, depending on your needs, and keep in mind all drivers need to be at least 21 years old, or 25 years old if operating with a passenger.
Rent a Snowmobile and Join a Club
Once you’ve learned the basics and become a more experienced rider, a local snowmobiling club can offer community and insights into the trail network. Moon Country Snowbusters is a nonprofit organization that plays a key role in Central Oregon’s winter-recreation access through trail grooming and conditions reports. Get in touch via its Facebook page to connect and learn about club events.
There are several options for renting snowmobiles in Bend. Bookings include a trailer, full-face helmet, shovel and trail map, plus a safety talk and overview of how to operate the machines. Rental shops also provide invaluable tips about local conditions and where to go.
Adrenaline Rentals offers a wide selection of trail and backcountry snowmobiles for beginner to advanced riders — all can be booked for a half-day or up to three days. Elevation Adventure Rentals has three models available, along with delivery and pick-up service to Bend and Sunriver. Central Oregon Rentals has four snowmobile models, which are available for a half-day, full-day, or multiday booking. Other snow gear such as bibs, jackets, boots and gloves can be added to the reservation for a minimal additional cost.
Sno-Park Parking Tips
Along Century Drive, there are several sno-parks that provide access to an extensive trail system. Closest to Mt. Bachelor is Dutchman Sno-Park, located directly across the street from the ski area. Dutchman offers quick access to Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and the trails that skirt the Three Sisters Wilderness. It’s a small parking lot that shares access to backcountry skiing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and overnight parking for Elk Lake Resort, so it fills quickly and is often crowded on the weekends; it’s a better option midweek.
Closer to Bend and Sunriver, Kapka Sno-Park and Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno-Park are spacious parking lots with ample pull-through parking for trailers and RVs. Both sno-parks connect to dozens of miles of groomed snowmobile trails, plus ungroomed terrain. At Wanoga, snowmobile trailheads and a warming hut are on the west end of the lot; sledding, dog-friendly Nordic trails, fat-biking and snowshoeing trails are on the east end.
Eleven miles outside of Sisters, Upper Three Creeks Sno-Park provides access to the network of snowmobile trails around the Three Sisters Wilderness, Three Creeks Lake and Tam McArthur Rim. This roomy parking lot tends to be less busy than those off Cascade Lakes Highway.
If You Go:
- Sno-park permits are required from Nov. 1-April 30.
- Note that some winter-recreation areas are impacted by 2024 wildfires. Check with Deschutes National Forest for updates, maps and closures.
- Central Oregon Avalanche Center provides a daily backcountry avalanche forecast from Dec. 1-April 30 each year.
- Prepare for winter driving conditions on the roads and highways in Central Oregon. For snowmobiling, always carry a paper map in addition to digital maps on your phone or GPS devices.
Wherever you go, be prepared for the conditions with your winter Ten Essentials.
