The Road to Stevens Pass

A good Stevens day starts the night before.

Stevens Pass now asks for parking reservations on its busiest days, and US-2 has its own moods in winter. A little planning makes the drive easier, cheaper, and more fun.

Parking reservations.

When you need one: To park before 10 AM on most weekends and holiday periods, Thanksgiving weekend through mid-March. Midweek is free and first come, first served, apart from a few holiday dates. The full calendar is at parkstevenspass.com.
Who parks free: Cars with four or more people. Those carpool spots open at noon each Tuesday for the following weekend, and attendants check heads in the lot. Everyone else can book a $20 spot any time, or try for one of the free reservations released Tuesdays at noon and 7 PM.
First time this season: The system is new, so make a new account, even if you had one last year. Booking opened November 1.
Whose car: You can book without a license plate and add it later, up to the morning you drive up. Handy when you’re not sure yet whose car is going.
Be there by 10: Reserved spots are held until 10 AM, then may be released. Can’t make it? Cancel so someone else gets it; people check for cancellations until 7 AM on the day.
No reservation?: Come midweek, or after 2 PM for night skiing. There’s no season-long parking pass.

Checked November 5, 2026. Rules can change during the season, so check the resort’s own reservation pages before you go.

Fill the car.

Four people in a car means free parking, a quarter of the gas, and fewer cars on US-2. That’s why we built Treeskier Carpool, a carpool app just for Stevens. It’s free for riders and drivers:

Riders find a seat by date. Each trip shows timing, gear room, and costs, including what happens if fewer than four go.
Drivers are vouched for before posting, and approve every rider.
No trip on your day? Post that you’re looking, and drivers will see it.
Got a reservation but no car? Say so, and ride with someone who has room.

Create a free account

Where to meet.

From Seattle and the Eastside, every route joins US-2 by Monroe, so the Monroe Park & Ride is the natural meetup. People who live near each other can meet earlier at a closer park & ride and leave more cars at home. The carpool app suggests a meetup that suits everyone’s drive; see where to meet.

Park & rides are for day use. Follow the posted signs.

Check the pass.

Before you leave, and again before you commit to the drive home:

WSDOT Stevens Pass conditions for the road, traction and chain requirements, and closures on US-2.
Stevens Pass for the snow report, lifts, and resort news.

Drivers: carry chains when the pass requires them and know how to put them on before you need to. Give yourself extra time on storm days; the best snow and the slowest roads usually arrive together.

The night before.

Reservation booked, or your car has four.
Meetup time and place confirmed, and everyone’s number saved.
Gear packed and by the door. The packing list helps.
Pass conditions checked, gas in the tank, and windshield fluid topped up.
Cash or a payment app ready to settle up with the driver.

Being a good carpool.

Be on time. If you’re running late, call your car.
If you can’t go, say so as early as you can.
Bring only the gear you said you would.
Pay what the trip listed. Contributions cover gas and parking, not profit.
Drivers: drive sober, rested, and for the conditions.