Summit at Snoqualmie Parking Plan: 2025 - 2026 Update

The Summit at Snoqualmie is updating its parking plan for the 2025-2026 season, continuing its goal of prioritizing parking for paying customers.

Last season, Cascade Backcountry Alliance published resources to help the community navigate the changes. This year brings several noteworthy updates that will impact all users, particularly backcountry users. 

2025-2026 Parking Policy Summary

• Paid parking is only required on the following “peak” days (7am - 3pm):

  • Weekends from 11/29/2025 through closing day (typically in April)

  • 12/26/2025 - 1/2/2026

  • 1/19/2026 (MLK Day) and 2/16/2026 (President’s Day)

  • Critical Timing Note: On a peak day, a permit is required if your vehicle will be in a paid parking lot at any time between 7 am and 3 pm. This means that if you park before 7 am but plan to return to your vehicle after 7 am, you must still purchase a permit.

• The Uphill pass ($40) no longer includes a parking permit.

• The following parking fees apply to all visitors (excluding Summit passholders):

  • Summit West, Central, and East lots - $15/vehicle

  • Alpental - $25/vehicle

• Carpool discounts will be available this year.

  • Carpools of 3+ can park for free in designated lots as space allows.

  • Carpool vouchers will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis from 7AM to 10AM or until the lot fills.

    • Critical Timing Note: QR vouchers for carpool parking are available from parking lot attendants starting at 7am. If you park before 7am you will not be able to obtain a carpool voucher and will need to purchase a daily parking permit.

  • Designated carpool lots include:

    • All Alpental lots (see map below)

    • West Patrol lot (see map below)

Backcountry Access

Summit at Snoqualmie’s updated parking plan directly affects how backcountry users access winter trailheads, as a parking permit is now required for many key access points. In summary:

• Non-Passholders: Must purchase a daily parking permit during peak dates (see above) to park in Summit lots for trailhead access.

• Summit Season Passholders: May park in any lot at any time during the season.

• Uphill Passholders Without Season Passes: Must purchase parking permits according to non-passholders as listed above.

• Uphill travel within the ski area is also no longer permitted during the following periods:

  • Weekends from 1/3/2026 - 3/1/2026

  • 12/26/2025 - 1/2/2026

  • 1/19/2026 (MLK Day) and 2/16/2026 (President’s Day)

Below is a breakdown of parking options and associated maps for the affected backcountry access trailheads.

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Commonwealth Basin (PCT North/Kendall Katwalk TH) 

• Free parking for the Commonwealth Basin is available along SR 906 between the I-90 overpass and Commonwealth Restaurant.

  • Parking is not permitted under the I-90 overpass or anywhere along the Alpental access road.

  • Parking in the Laconia/Pass Life/Evo lot is for customers only and should not be utilized for accessing the backcountry.

• Parking in all Summit West Lots (including W3) is allowed but requires a season pass or parking permit ($15) from 7am - 3pm during peak days (see above).

• Carpools of 3+ may park for free in the designated lot (West Patrol) 

  • QR vouchers available from 7am until 10am or the lot is full.

  • Backcountry users without parking passes must obtain a carpool QR voucher to avoid being ticketed.

Alpental Valley (Source Lake, Snow Lake, Snoqualmie Mountain & Beyond)

• All parking to access the Alpental Valley utilizes Summit-maintained parking lots. A season pass or parking permit ($25) is required in all Alpental lots on peak days from 7am - 3pm.

• Carpools of 3+ may park for free in all Alpental lots during peak days.

  • QR vouchers available from 7am until 10am or the lot is full.

  • Backcountry users without parking passes must obtain a carpool QR voucher to avoid being ticketed.

Mt. Catherine/Roaring Ridge

• Parking at Hyak in lot E1, E2, or E3 during peak days requires a season pass or parking permit ($15)

• Uphill passholders do not receive parking permits

• There is no designated carpool lot at Hyak. Carpool vouchers will not be provided

• Alternative access is available from the Hyak Sno-Park (see below for permit costs) via the Palouse-to-Cascades trail.

Where else can I go?!

There are many alternative options for winter recreation along I-90. The following locations all require a non-motorized Sno-Park pass, which is available from Washington State Parks.

• A day pass is $25 and an annual pass is $50. A day pass is good for both regular Sno-Parks and those with groomed trails.

• For several Sno-Parks, a Special-Groomed Trail permit ($70) is required in addition to an annual Sno-Park pass. This permit is invalid if not combined with an annual Sno-Park pass.

• Annual Sno-Park passes are valid all season (November 1 - April 30).

Denny Creek Sno-Park (2,200’)

• Due to budget and staffing cuts at the U.S. Forest Service North Bend Ranger District, Denny Creek Sno-Park will not open for the 2025-26 season.

Annette Lake Sno-Park (1,926’)

• Access to beginner and intermediate snowshoeing/winter hiking, including on the Palouse-to-Cascades trail.

• Backcountry skiing access on Humpback Mountain and Silver Peak.

Hyak Sno-Park (2,560’)

• Popular for its sledding hill.

• Access to beginner snowshoeing/winter hiking.

• Groomed cross-country skiing trails on the Palouse-to-Cascades trail.

• Alternate access to Mt Catherine and Roaring Ridge.

• Requires Special-Groomed Trail permit ($50+$70).

Gold Creek Sno-Park (2,560’)

• Popular area for snow play and beginner snowshoeing/winter hiking.

• Backcountry skiing and more advanced winter hiking options also available.

• The Sno-Park will be open during the 2025-26 season. However, due to the Gold Creek Restoration Project, certain areas may be closed to recreation due to unsafe conditions and/or equipment/materials storage.

Cabin Creek Sno-Park (2,462’)

• 25 miles of non-motorized snowshoe and cross-country ski trails.

• Requires special groomed-trail permit ($50+$70).

Crystal Springs Sno-Park (2,400’)

• The largest Sno-Park on I-90 with snowshoe and cross-country ski trails and space for snow play near the parking lot.

• Backcountry skiing and more advanced winter hiking options also available

• Requires special groomed-trail permit ($50+$70)

Lake Easton Sno-Park (2,200’)

• Snow play area and beginner snowshoeing/winter hiking trails

• Groomed cross-country ski trails

• Requires special groomed-trail permit ($50+$70)

How are these policies impacting your winter recreation experience at Snoqualmie Pass? Drop us a note at info@cascadebackcountryalliance.com. We’d love to hear from you!