Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area
Since 2019, the Blue Mountain Land Trust volunteer-led trail crew has provided access to Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area in partnership with the Umatilla National Forest. Bordered on the north by the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness, the area provides an opportunity for nordic skiing and snowshoeing on both groomed and non-groomed trail system. With approximately 16 miles (26 kilometers) of marked trail, Horseshoe Prairie is the perfect place for outdoor ski adventures all winter season.
Snow Conditions
12/20/2024 - Ice crust with soft base. Spring like conditions. Tracked trailed can be 6-8” deep. Rain expected this week. Check out our trail map or explore our trail list below. The warming hut is awesome!
Be sure to have your Sno-Park Pass. Check out the National Weather Service Weekly Report for Horseshoe Prairie here.
Before you go, view Oregon ODOT cameras on Hwy 204 for current temperatures and wind speed.
Groomed Trails
12/20/24 - Trails were compacted and rolled. Unable to set track due to snow conditions. Will wait for fresh colder snow. Check out the video of team working during the 2024 season here.
Groomed Trails: Elk Tracks, Tamarack, Tenderfoot, Wandering Wolf, Viewpoint, Red Fox Racetrack and the upper section of Wagon Wheel. See map showing groomed trails.
Snowshoe Trails
Current Snowshoe Trails: St Bernard, Snowy Owl, Enchanted Forest, Pine Marten, and Mountain Top
Trail Etiquette
Visitors with snowshoes should avoid walking on the nordic ski tracks. Check out this video.
Practice “Leave No Trace” principles and pick up after your pets.
Fat tire bicycles are not allowed in the Nordic area by U.S. Forest Service rule from December 1 - March 31.
Map and Trails
The trails at Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area provide a range of experiences in terrain and snow landscapes. Click on the trail name for trail information on the Hiking Project.
(Download the app for trail details.)
Bobcat Trail – A short trail connecting the junction of Wandering Wolf and Prairie Loop Trails with Wagon Wheel at the warming hut.
Tenderfoot Trail - Located just off the Andies Prairie parking lot, it is a 1 km double loop groomed trail. Perfect for those new to the sport, lessons, and kids of all ages. Download a copy of the trail map here.
Tamarack Trail - a 3.2 km loop, ideal for those new to the sport. It will be groomed regularly and follows existing forest service roads.
Hoot & Holler Trail - offers a short traverse between groomed sections at Markers F and G for those wishing to try an ungroomed trail. It travels within a wonderful dense forest section of pine, fir and tamarack trees.
Viewpoint Trail - will take one out to an overlook of the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness’s spectacular canyon.
Wandering Wolf Trail - groomed from Marker F to Marker E and then onto the Wagon Wheel Trail junction. West of Junction Marker E is a corridor bounded by tall pine and fir trees and users may see tracks of the area’s wildlife on freshly fallen snow. After about 4 km, it connects with Prairie Loop Trail.
Prairie Loop Trail - the southern loop courses over a vast open slope marked by seasonally placed orange poles to guide the route. On clear days you can see the peaks of the Wallowa Mountains to the east.
Red Fox Racetrack Trail – This trail is restricted to Nordic Skiers. It is groomed specifically for skate skiing.
Umatilla Rim Trail - provides the ultimate challenge for the backcountry skier and is a fun route for snowshoers. Starting near Marker A, it dips and climbs through the forest ultimately connecting to the Viewpoint Trail. Note that the trail beyond this junction is not marked or maintained for skiing or snowshoeing.
Wagon Wheel Trail - This is a new 2.4 km trail segment linking the Wandering Wolf Trail on the north to the Prairie Loop Trail to the south. The section from Wandering Wolf to the warming hut is groomed. The warming hut is at its junction with Bob Cat and Pine Marten Trails.
Elk Tracks Trail - This is a 1 km groomed trail off the Viewpoint Trail. It is an in/out experience.
Enchanted Forest Snowshoe Trail - This is a beautiful trail that wanders among the trees between the east and west legs of the Tamarack Trail.
Mountain Top Snowshoe Trail – This trail loops off of Pine Marten Trail. It is a moderately steep climb to the top of the hill.
Pine Marten Snowshoe Trail – This trail connects the Snowy Owl Trail with the Wagon Wheel Trail at the warming hut. It traverses a wonderful open understory of the pine forest.
St Bernard Snowshoe Trail - This trail starts adjacent to the HSP trailhead kiosk, crosses the Umatilla Rim Trail and connects to Tamarack Trail.
Snowy Owl - A great new addition connects the east loop of Tamarack Trail with the Wagon Wheel Trail.
Looking for more snow sport opportunities in the Blues Mountains?
Check out Outside Walla Walla
Download the map for winter adventures
Blues Crew Warming Hut at the intersection of Wagon Wheel, Pine Marten and Bob Cat Trails.
Directions
From Weston, Oregon: Travel 26 miles east of Weston on Highway 204. Horseshoe Prairie is located on the right.
From Elgin, Oregon: Travel 14 miles northwest of Elgin on Highway 204.
From Walla Walla, Washington: 46 miles
From LaGrande, Oregon: 36 miles
From Pendleton, Oregon: 50 miles
Parking
Parking is available across Highway 204 at the Andies Prairie Sno-Park.
Sno-Park permits are required from November - April and can be purchased through the state Department of Motor Vehicles or their vendors.
For your safety, use Sno-Park areas and do not park along the highway.
Share your ideas
We want to hear from you! How can we improve the trails? Do you like the directional signs and maps? What are suggestions for new trails?
Send us your feedback to blues-crew@bmlt.org.
Support the Blues Crew at Horseshoe Prairie
Support the Blues Crew for enhanced, regular grooming at Horseshoe Prairie. Click the button and designate your gift to ‘Blues Crew.’
Blues Crew restores HSP
How can a group of skiers bring back winter trail access? Through hard work and perseverance, the BMLT Blues Crew improved trails, signage and conditions at this overlooked winter recreation area in the Blue Mountains.