Snowmobiling

The Mt. Shasta area is home to the Tri-Forest Snowmobile Trail System, a 260-mile network of signed trails that are frequently groomed for enjoyment by snowmobiles, skiers, snowshoers and dog sleds.  The system includes four parks that have warming huts, restrooms, and loading ramps with plowed roads leading to the parking areas.

Deer Mountain/Chuck Best, Pilgrim Creek, Four Corners and Doorknob parks are within a days ride of each other. Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park, outside of McCloud and Deer Mountain Chuck Best, northeast of Weed, are nearest to the City of Mt. Shasta. The system falls over three National Forests – the Klamath, Shasta-Trinity and Modoc.

Things to know

• Snowmobile rentals are available only at Deer Mountain/Chuck Best Snowmobile Park from The Fun Factory. Get rental info here.
• Trails in the Tri-Forest system may not be completely groomed after a storm. Check conditions at Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center or call the appropriate Forest Service office.
• Snowmobiles are not allowed in the Mount Shasta Wilderness Area. See the map showing designated areas for snowmobiles here.
• There are no fees to use these parks; however, your snowmobile must be properly registered.
• Snowmobile parks do not have water, electricity or fuel available. Cell service is limited throughout the trail system. The system map does indicate areas with cell reception.

Resources

Riding in the Tri-Forest Snowmobile Trail system, Mt. Shasta in the background, with The Fun Factory.s

• Visit the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center’s educational and informational pages for snowmobiles.
• Check out the Mt. Shasta Sno-Mobilers, Inc website for more information about trails and parks.
• Download a large-scale Tri-Forest Snowmobile Trails map here.
• Get the Forest Service Tri-Forest Snowmobile Trails informational brochure here.

If you need to learn

• Check in with the knowledgable folks at The Fun Factory. You can hire a guide to come along when you rent machines from them.
• Be avalanche aware. Take time to learn about this real danger. The Avy Center offers snowmobile specific avalanche classes – look for date here.
• Take a look at the MS Avy Center’s educational resources here.

Things to consider

• Check conditions before you go. The Avalanche Center provides avalanche forecasts and weather information throughout the season. Each of the National Forests listed above also provide conditions reports.
• Be prepared for changing conditions. Each of the four snowmobile parks are a day’s travel apart. Be ready in case you spend the night out.
• Grooming frequency may decrease later in the season.