Echo Lake Sno-Park

After driving to Adventure Mountain only to be turned away due to it being in full capacity during the Sunday of the MLK holiday weekend, we were at a loss on where to go to play in the snow. As we were driving past Adventure Mountain, we saw a small sign that said «Sno-​Park» so turned right on what seemed to be a residential road. With snow everywhere, it’s pretty much a one lane road that takes you to the sno-​park. (If there’s oncoming traffic, one car is going to have to stop and wait for the other to drive by) Once you turn into the sno-​park, there’s a small parking lot and a very noticeable sign that says that a permit is required or be fined.
Don’t expect to be tubing down any large hill. Think of this as a place to just play in all that white stuff (think building snowpeople or snowball fights) and you should be content. They do have a restroom, which is pretty much an outhouse. (It would be wise to bring your own toilet paper.)

3.5 stars
3 stars for the hills on this park, if you can call this a park. The hills are as tall as a super tall man. There doesn’t seem to be any hill really designated for having kids slide down. Unless it was so snowed upon with virgin untouched snow the marked hills was hard to see & find. Most hills we were on had twigs, holes, ungroomed, un packed. We pretty much just winged it & tried to find whatever we could to make our trip happy despite the fact Adventure Mountain was sold out before 1130am (Boo!!). However, the kids had a blast. Bless their simple happy hearts.
2 stars for the bathroom. The park was sooo packed & all we got is one unisex bathroom? You’ve got to be kidding me. My cousin was gone so long we thought she was swallowed by the Abominable Snowman. But at least the white unflushable hole in the ground was clean when we got to it.
4 stars for parking. At least we got a space. It pretty much swerves all around in a big swirly circle. Spots/​lines are not designated, you just fit where you can.
5 stars for the trees surrounding the outsides of the hills. This was not really a place to allow kids to slide down, but rather provided a large area of untouched snow with trees so tall that it gave daughter’s limitless snow to build her snowman & a vast white perfect canvas to snap beautiful pictures of my kiddos. We also went here to get white clean snow for DIY snow cones. Yummo! And all you need is condensed milk & sweetened condensed milk, snow, cups & a spoon! Yesss!
5 stars for it being free, but there is also no one here to help you with anything, or anyone to rent you anything either. It’s pretty much bring your own everything.
Note, there are no snack shacks, coffee, or any thing to eat here. Bring what you can to feed your tribe or you will be very hungry. I advise, a tall metal thermos for from-​home hot water for cup o noodles & hot chocolate packets.

If you can find the map for this sno-​park you will also find the description of this sno-​park which reads:
Recommended Activities: Cross-​country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. No snowmobiles. No parking on entry road.
Sooooo…this isn’t a sno-​park for those who want to go sledding, there are others for that and they say so right on their descriptions:
Honestly, giving it one star because you didn’t bother to read before hand if there were big sledding hills is just silly.
This park is great for everything listed and if you have toddlers. Toddlers like peaceful snow forests with well packed trails that mom and dad can pull them on their sled all day without breaking their backs. There are a couple of small hills, they’re even marked with signs and cute names. But if you’re not gonna read the description of the park before you go, you’re not gonna read the signs to find them either are you? Stay away and leave this place less crowded and more fun for the rest of us.

Sno-​Parks are great. The lots are plowed, rangers check on you, if you follow the directions, you won’t end up slip-​sliding onto a busy highway. BUT this particular Sno-​Park is a bust! No hills, no sledding spots, no open clearing for play. Any lot behind any snow-​country gas station would be better than this particular site. Skip it. (Or man up $ 25 a car and go to Adventure Mountain, a for profit mini-​resort somewhat across the highway)