The Skate Creek motorized Sno-Park in East Lewis County will temporarily close for the 2024-25 winter season due to declining revenue from snowmobile registrations, according to a news release.
The Washington State Parks Department, which operates the park, announced Friday that Skate Creek is among 14 Sno-Parks in the Cascades and Eastern Washington that will remain temporarily closed after funds raised by snowmobile registrations fell by about 25%.
According to the parks department, the snowmobile program is funded through snowmobile registration fees and a portion of the gas tax. The parks department currently receives $94.20 per registered snowmobile to fund enforcement, trail grooming and educational programs, among other services.
The other impacted Sno-Parks include Echo Valley, Bethel Ridge/Soup Creek, Crow Creek, Cloverland, Elk Heights, Fish Creek, French Cabin, Nile, Taneum, Reecer Creek, Crawfish, Nine Bark and Clear Lake.
The parks will remain closed pending future funding. According to the parks department, the number of registered snowmobiles fell from a high of 38,331 in 2002 to 18,434 in 2024, a decline of 52%.
