209- 795-1381
South side of Highway 4 at Spicer Road
(4 Miles before Bear Valley Village)
SpicerSnoPark
Spicer Sno Park is a great place to go for family friendly snow play. Great for cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snow play, and snowmobiling. To park at the Sno Park, you must purchase a pass. Sno Park passes can be purchased online at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov. Passes are $5.00 a day or $25.00 for a season pass plus a service fee of $1.95. There are no parking fees–only the Sno Park pass fee. You can find a map of the trail system here.
Passes can also be purchased at the following locations:
Bear Valley Cross Country, 1 Bear Valley Road, Bear Valley
Bear Valley Snowmobile, 3 Bear Valley Road (Inside Village Lodge), Bear Valley
Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods, 925 Hwy 4, Arnold
Sierra Nevada Adventure Company, 2293 Hwy 4, Arnold
Great information. Lucky me I ran across your blog by accident (stumbleupon).
I have book-marked it for later!
That’s great! Please let us know if we can be any more help in planning your winter recreation 🙂
Does this location have snow tubing/rent tubes? If not, where is a good place to go? Thank you!
Hi Jason,
Bear Valley Cross Country has a snowtubing/sledding hill and rents equipment. Here’s some information: http://www.bearvalleyxc.com/#!sledding–tubing/c53q. Their phone number is 209-753-2834.
We’re looking for free sledding and a place to build snow forts. Would Spicer or Lake Alpine SnoParks work? Is one better than the other? Otherwise, any recommendations? We live in the San Joaquin Valley and are looking to keep the drive under 3 hours. Thanks!
Good Morning! Both Spicer and Lake Alpine SnoParks are good for either sledding and snow play, however, Lake Alpine SnoPark is BEST for sledding (especially for anyone over 9 or 10 years old). Lake Alpine has longer runs whereas Spicer has shorter runs which are better for little ones. A SnoPark Permit is required for all SnoParks. There are only $5/day or $25 for the entire season. Here is a link to http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26911 .They can be purchased at Bear Valley Snowmobile in Bear Valley. Call BV Snowmobile 209-753-2323 for more info.
We were thinking of checking out the snow park in spicer. Do you have to have snow chains right now or are the road pretty clear
Hi Laura, We never recommend traveling up the mountain in winter without snow chains. Right now the highway is pretty clear, but you could encounter difficult conditions at any time.
Are there snow chains for rent in the area? Is the place safe at night?
Hi Luci, Snow chains are not available to rent… but they’re not terribly expensive to purchase. You will need to purchase some before you head up the mountain – they are legally required to be carried in your car in the winter even if there is no snow on the roads. There are no places to purchase at the park. The park doesn’t have any concessions, it’s a wilderness area with parking lot and public restroom amenities. Beyond that, there’s no infrastructure, so you will be using it at your own risk. You will need to purchase a sno-park permit. Information is available here.
Hi, we want to do some sledding or tubing, can we bring our own gear on either spicer or lake alpine
You may take your own gear to either Lake Alpine SnoPark or Spicer SnoPark. Lake Alpine is better suited for kids ages 9 or 10 and up. Spicer is better suited to kids under 9 or 10. One thing to remember is you must have a permit to park at the Sno Parks. The permit costs $5. I believe you can buy permits at Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods, Sierra Nevada Adventure Company (both which are in the town of Arnold), Bear Valley Adventure Company and at Bear Valley Snowmobile. Please be aware, if you do not have a parking permit, you will be ticketed. Have a wonderful time!
I’m thinking of going this week. Is there any snow up there?
Hi Rachel, we just got more snow yesterday in the high country. So yes, still snowy 🙂
I’m thinking about heading up tomorrow with the family is there any snow left?
Sorry we missed your comment! There is still snow 🙂
We are thinking about heading up on April 23 weekend with the family. is there any snow left?
Hi there Lee,
Thanks for your comment. There are what we call “true Spring” conditions at Spicer at the moment. What this means is that while there is definitely still snow, there are also washouts where the asphalt is showing, especially in greater sun exposed regions. If you would like any assistance planning your trip or have any additional questions, feel free to give us a call at 209-736-0049 or send an email to info@gocalaveras.com
We are coming up the week of December 19th. Would you have a trail map of the Spicer Sno-Park? We are interested in snow shoeing. I understand that you have to purchase a Sno-Park Permit Day Use Pass. Is there also a parking fee? Thank you
Hi there Theresa! There are no parking fees only a $5 Sno-Park Permit Day Use Pass. You can get yours right on Highway 4 at the SNAC or at the Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods which are both in Arnold on your left hand side (if you’re heading towards the Sno-park). If you go through Arnold and forgot to nab a pass, you can also get one at the gas station Bear Valley. You can find a trail map here: http://bit.ly/2h1fgtJ.
If you have any other questions, feel free to give us a call at 1-209-736-0049.
Hi there, is Spicer dog-friendly? Thanks for your help! 🙂
Hi Jess. Yes! Even dog sledding is allowed 🙂