Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

Project Documents

Kapka Butte Snopark

Deschutes National Forest

Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District

Project Description

The Deschutes National Forest sees a need to provide high elevation parking that will enhance a variety of winter recreation opportunities near the Cascade Lakes Highway corridor. On most weekend and holiday periods during the wintertime, it is not unusual to see sno-park parking lots full of vehicles, causing over-flow parking in inappropriate locations such as chain-up areas. This has been a progressive condition since the mid-1990s and has reached a point where it has become a public safety concern. More winter uses, such as snowshoeing, backcountry skiing and skijoring, have become more popular in recent years. These newer uses on top of the already high use that the area near Mt. Bachelor receives have created the congestion that occurs at all of the sno-parks. A result of the crowded conditions is inappropriate parking along the Cascade Lake Highway during weekends and holidays, causing traffic problems for the traveling public, emergency vehicles, and snow plowing equipment. This persistent condition demonstrates a need for additional safe parking facilities that provides access to over snow trail systems. It is important that this occurs in a location where regular snowplowing can be accomplished in an economically feasible manner.

Project Documents

• Notice of Intent - (1/2/09)
• Kapka Butte Snopark Scoping Letter (1/2/09)
• Kapka Butte Snopark Map (1/2/09)