Ray Benson Sno-Park — Attraction in Oregon

Visited here 2/1/2020 for a snowshoe to the Brandenburg shelter as an out and back. 6.36 miles with 341ft elevation gain. Great first time snowshoe trail.

We drove from Portland, OR and the roads were free of snow and ice the whole way, though it did rain all day long.

Ray Benson sno park is great with a warming shelter (smaller warming shelter, but great if there are not many people at the park) in the middle of the two larger parking areas. Total there were 5 parking areas and two pit toilet buildings (1 in between the two larger lots and 1 at the bottom lot. I liked the one in the bottom lot better as it had an enclosed space before the doors to the two vaulted toilets.) The first lot we drove through upon entry at 8am was almost full, there were 2 vehicles in the next lot, none in the next, the second largest parking lot was half full (we parked here as my friend has a large truck) and the bottom lot had 2 RVs in it. The blacktop was a bit icy in the morning. The snow was slippery all day.

The trails are very well marked here and there are a plethora of options. We saw skiers, snowmobiling and snowshoeing of course also looked like someone tried to hike one of the trails as there was some deep postholing in the center of the trail.

It rained pretty much the whole day we were there.

Great place to bring young children. Not very handicap accessible in the winter. Dogs are allowed at this sno park. Make sure you purchase a sno park pass before arrival as you cannot purchase a pass at the park. 30$/yr and...

Bucket list check ✅ Well organized, instructive and fun. Katy was great with area knowledge and stargazing. Chris came during the day and dug a beautiful good sized amphitheater for us to sit in and enjoy a fire, treat and hot cocoa with hazelnut vodka if you wanted. The digging could not have been easy for him with the snow pack melted down and hard. Plus he pulled in the fire pit and all supplies on a wide "sled", then stayed in the dark with headlamp to clean it all up and pack it out. Stars were incredible! Van ride, pick up/drop off was nice. Trip wasn't too long or strenuous and route out, was much easier which was nice after the choice to drink some. The only reason I gave it a 4 star instead of 5 had nothing to do with Wanderlust company but the three passengers out of 8 that chose to pull their noses out of their masks in the warm steamy full van, as soon as the van lights went out and the driver was doing her job navigating the road. Just tainted the...

Love Ray Benson Sno-Park! I love it so much that I want to give it the world's worst rating in order to keep people away from my happy little snow mobiling haven! It is kid and pet friendly. The bathrooms are always maintained. Ther tails are clearly marked for snow mobiles as well as separate trails for skiing and snow shoeing. I have never seen a sled dog team at this particular park, but that doesn't mean that they don't go there! Please, if you are unfamiliar with the area, do not go out unprepared! Always take your GPS, avalanche beacon, a trail map, extra supplies, your cell phone and let someone know where your headed and when you'll be back! This location does not sell snow park permits and is regularly patrolled by park rangers who have no problem writing...