Frequently Asked Questions!

Sorry, but no.  To avoid conflict (double-bookings) with drop-in campers, reservations are not taken two or fewer days out.   If you wish to camp today, please refer to FAQ "Can I camp without a reservation?" for details on last-minute camping.

Okay, maybe that question doesn't get asked a lot, but the answer is Yes, if camping at Whitehorse in sites 14-18.  Those horse-friendly sites include 12'x12' corral and a centrally located compost bin.  That said, you don't have to bring a horse to use the sites.

Yes!  All campsites in all our campgrounds can be reserved, but any site, that goes unreserved, can be used for drop-in camping on a first-come, first-served basis.  Look for sites that are not occupied and not marked reserved.  Drop-in camping is good for one night and can be paid at the entrance fee machine or fee dropbox.  Sorry, checks are not accepted.  Contact a ranger prior to extending your stay to ensure the site is still available.  Be advised, if there's a booking conflict, reservations will take precedence over drop-ins.  Please note, there is no drop-in camping for yurts and cabins.

Unfortunately, not.  Park Rangers are not setup to make advance reservations.  They can accept drop-in (day-of) camping for unreserved campsites on a first-come, first-serve basis only.  Please note:  There is no drop-in camping for cabins and yurts.

Maybe.  Snohomish County Parks does not offer discounts, but we do honor certain discount cards issued by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.  Specifically, the 5-Year Disability Card, the Lifetime Disabled Veterans Card, and the Limited Income Senior Citizen Card.  No other card, placard, or other pass is accepted.  Cards must be registered through the Call Center and be in your possession at the time of booking.  Additional restrictions apply.  For more information on discount passes, visit our Fees & Prices webpage.

Pets are allowed in all campsites at no charge and in pet friendly cabins for an additional fee.  Pets must be accompanied, under control, and on a leash at all time, and their waste properly disposed.  Sorry, pets are not allowed in the yurts or yurt villages.  

With our new reservation system, booking a campsite is as easy as 1-2-3.  Well, actually it's 1-15, but we've provided those step-by-step instructions HERE.

Restroom codes are now included in your camping confirmation letter.  If your letter states the code will be emailed, log into your online account and reprint a more current letter.  If you are a drop-in camper, you will need to contact a ranger, as the Call Center cannot provide restroom codes.

Snohomish County Parks does not offer long-term camping.  With exception to the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, the maximum stay in any park is 14 days in a 30-day period.  The maximum stay at the Fairgrounds is 7 days in a 30-day period.

Burn bans in Snohomish County Parks are determined by the Snohomish County Fire Marshall.  Outdoor  burning (e.g. yard waste) bans often start in June or July and recreational fire (campfire) bans normally occur around late July or early August.  Squire Creek and Whitehorse campgrounds may be sooner because they are surrounded by DNR land (and they follow DNR's lead).

Campfires are announced in the Newsflash section of our webage  (which you can subscribe to) and at the park entrance.  Please keep in mind, bans can be implemented with no warning, so plan accordingly.

During periods of campfire bans, propane fire rings are allowed, if they can be safely used.  As always, rangers have the final say.  

Well, that depends on the length of your RV and the skill of the driver.  Nature often dictates the shape and size of a site, so be sure to check maximum RV length (in Site Description) prior to booking.  This is the maximum size a camping unit can sit straight and level.  The Driveway Length is usually longer, but not a good indicator as its arc and slope can interfere with leveling and slideouts.  Consider the maximum driveway length for extra vehicles and boats, and to determine if you will need to disconnect from your tow vehicle.  See also, "What is an Extra Vehicle?"  BE ADVISED: Flowing Lake Campground cannot accomodate 5th wheel RVs exceeding 35'.   

A vehicle is a car or truck that you or your party are not camping in.  One vehicle is included in your camping fee.  An extra vehicle would be any additional car or truck (not used as a camping unit).  Some things to consider:

• Extra vehicles fees are collected at the park (not online or through the Call Center)
• If a truck (or car) is connected to a trailer, it is considered part of the camping unit.  If it disconnects, it is considered a vehicle (or extra vehicle)
• If you are camping in your car or truck, it is considered a Camping Unit. 
• Boats are not extra vehicles 
• Any vehicles, extra vehicles, and/or boats that do not fit in the site or encroach on vegetation must be moved to overflow parking. 
• Extra vehicle fees apply to any vehicle in overflow parking.
• Annual Passes cannot be used for overnight camping/parking

Click HERE for an illustration of what is considered extra vehicles

Your campsite must be setup during daylight hours and the park gates close at dusk (for both safety reasons and to avoid disturbing other campers).  If the gates are closed when you arrive, you will need to return in the morning.  The exception is if your staying in a cabin or yurt or if members of your party have already setup your campsite.  In those cases you may enter the park and proceed directly to your site. Be sure to close and latch the gate behind you.  As a general rule, paid reservations are not given away but a reservation can become a "no-show" if it's been more than 48 hours since your arrival time and you have not checked-in, cancelled, or notified Parks of your delay. All fees and charges (to a maximum of three nights) may be forfeited when your reservation turns to no-show.

Nope

Currently, room rentals cannot be reserved online.  People interested in renting the Vista or Gary Weikel Room(s) should visit the facility (at 6705 Puget Park Dr, Snohomish).  Can't drop<>by?  Complete this ONLINE FORM (agreeing to comply with facility rules and policies) then book over the phone at 425-388-6644. Calls and visits are accepted M-F, 8:30am-4:00pm. For more room rental information, prices, and all that stuff, visit the Activity Center webpage.

Athletic Fields are reserved through an application process rather than online or through the Call Center.  Please visit our Sports Fields page to familiarize yourself with the rules and guidelines for athletic field use within the county.  The application is in the Athletic Field Scheduling Guide, which is linked to that page.

Volleyball nets for sand courts at Willis Tucker Park are up Spring through Fall. 

Reservations for incidental use (e.g. family/company picnics and scrimmages with friends) can only be booked online and no more than 7 days in advance. 

Reservations for non-incidental use (e.g. leagues and tournaments) can be booked more than 7 days in advance through the Recreation Supervisor.  For more information, visit our Sports Field page.    

NOTE:  To allow more equitable play, incidental (online) reservations are limited to no more than two 2-hour blocks per party, per day.  Exceeding this limit can result in forfeiture of reservation with no refund.  

Not really, but you can "gift" a site to a trusted friend or family member.  This means the name of the occupant has changed, but the reservation remains in your name, and you retain responsibility for the site and its occupants.  To change the name of the occupant, contact the Call Center at 425-388-6600.  No charges apply or call-back necessary so leaving a message will suffice.

DAY-USE:  A fee is paid for day-use parking at Flowing Lake, Kayak Point, Wenberg, and in some cases the Evergreen State Fairgrounds and Willis Tucker Park.  Day-use parking at all other parks is free.  A Snohomish County Annual Parking Pass, good at all our fee-use parks (for a year from date of purchase), can be obtained at the park, online, or through the Call Center.  Please be aware, Discover Passes are NOT valid in our parks.  Parking without a valid pass displayed is subject to a $40 fine. 

OVERNIGHT:  Your camping fee includes your setup (RV, tent, or trailer) and parking for one vehicle that is not used for camping.  If the tow vehicle remains connected to the trailer it is considered part of the setup.  This means another vehicle can park in the site without charge.   Additional (extra) vehicles will be charged a fee upon arrival.  Please note, Annual Parking Passes cannot be used for overnight parking.   Other things to consider:  Boats (that fit in campsite) are not extra vehicles Any vehicles, extra vehicles, and/or boats that do not fit in the site or encroach on vegetation must be moved to overflow parking. Extra vehicle fees apply to any vehicle in overflow parking.

Sorry, we do not rent equipment and we cannot make recommendations.

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellation policies and fees are strictly enforced.  Aside from extreme weather conditions, exceptions cannot be made for rain, illness, transportation delays, or other circumstances beyond our control.  Penalty deadlines are set for midnight, which can lead to a miscount.  To avoid penalties, DO NOT DELAY.  

Cancel through your online account at https://reservations.snocoparks.org. 

Requests can be submitted to contact.parks@snoco.org or by calling 425-388-6600 (M-F, 8:30am-4:00pm).  Be aware of the following

• Messages left for the Call Center may not be processed in time to avoid penalties.  
• Messages left late in the day, on weekends, or on legal holidays will not be processed until the next business day.  
• Fees are based upon the date/time of processing-not when requested. 

CHANGES

Changes are made through the Call Center at 425-388-6600 (M-F, 8:30am-4:00pm).  Messages left late in the day, on weekends, or on legal holidays will not be processed until the next business day.  

Written or voicemail requests for changes will require a follow-up call as transaction fee(s), and any applicable charges (e.g. upgrade or an additional day) must be collect at the time of processing.  Please note: change and transaction fees apply to each changed campsite, shelter, yurt, and/or cabin. 

     Be advised: not all change requests can be honored.

• A reduction in camping nights and shelter date changes, requested less than 14 days prior to check-in date, will be processed as a cancellation/re-booking (with all applicable fees).
• Changes cannot transfer to another park or to another person/party
• Camping reservations require at least one night carry over to the new dates.  Otherwise, it is a cancellation and re-booking (with all associated fees)

Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/1040 for more information on cancellations and changes

There are two major reasons folks are having trouble resetting their password: 1.  They're entering the wrong email  2.  They never setup a new account for the new system.  As a reminder, the customer database did not carry over to the new system.

Deer are let out each evening around 5pm to allow them time to feed and socialize.  They're placed back in their pens in the morning, around 8am.  If you're lucky, you might see one grazing in the field!

As a general rule, cancellation fees are not waived for foul weather.  By its nature, camping involves spending extended time outdoors.  It's hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and it rains much of the time.  Visitors should be aware of the seasons when booking and come prepared.  That said, exceptions can be made for extreme weather conditions which close a park and/or pose a significant risk to the general public.  Those conditions are limited to:

Heat Advisory:  Maximum heat index temperature in Snohomish County is expected to be 100° or higher for at least 2 days, and nighttime air temperatures will not drop<>below 75°  

Extreme Cold:   Maximum temperature in Snohomish County drops below 20 degrees for at least 24 hours

Smoke:  Air Quality Index (AQI) rating of 151 or higher (as defined by the EPA).  AQI ratings between 101-150, for at-risk groups, with completed attestation, will be considered

High Winds:  Sustained winds of 40 mph or higher and/or gusts of 58 mph or higher

Confirmation letters for online reservations are automatically emailed and manually emailed if booked through the Call Center.   NOTE:  When checking mailbox, search for Guest Services.  If it's not in your inbox:

1.  Check your Junk/SPAM folder.  Most often, that's where it's found. 

2.  Check to ensure it wasn't booked using a different name and/or email address

3.  Still no joy?  Contact the Call Center.  We'll verify and/or edit the address and/or send you another copy.

Reassigned campsite numbers!  In addition to a rebuilt pier, upgraded boat launch, and revised parking and traffic pattern, the campsites have been renumbered for more efficient traffic flow.  Prior to booking your reservation, be sure to review the campsite map.