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SALT LAKE CITY — It’s time to start thinking about planning a yurt adventure. Most of Utah’s yurts are available for rent year round, but you’ll have the most fun staying in them during the snow season. Our local yurts may not be completely authentic like those found in Central Asia, but they utilize many of the ingenious design elements of those structures and can offer substantial comfort on even the coldest nights.
You have numerous options when it comes to renting a yurt in Utah. They’re scattered throughout the state, with the largest concentration being in the Uintah Mountains. So whether you want to stay near a mountain lake or in the desert, you’re good to go. Utah’s yurts range in size and price, but all of them provide a unique way to experience the outdoors.
Here are five of the state’s best yurts, available to rent for your next outing.
Castle Peak Yurt
Location: Uinta Mountains
Size: Sleeps eight
Price: $125-$150 a night
Click here for rental information
Located more than six miles from the paved road, this yurt provides wonderful seclusion during the winter. You can either snowmobile or snowshoe in. If you’re snowshoeing, be sure to allot enough time for the trek before nightfall. The yurt comfortably sleeps eight people. There are small pads on the bunk beds, but you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bags. Although it’s rustic, it offers one surprising perk: a sauna hut situated in the trees next to the yurt.
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Goblin Valley Yurt
Location: Goblin Valley State Park
Size: Sleeps five
Price: $60-$65 a night
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5 reasons you should stay in a yurt this year
While yurts may sound too exotic or rugged for some people, the truth is they are extremely convenient to stay in. Utah has a wide range of yurts for rent, meaning your yurt trip can be as accessible or adventurous as you want to make it. Regardless of what kind of yurt you choose, here are five reasons you should make 2013 the year of the yurt.Click here for rental informationThis yurt offers a one-of-a-kind way to experience the wonders of Goblin Valley. Unlike the sparse Castle Peak yurt, this one offers more amenities and comfort. There’s a nice deck in front, complete with chairs and a grill. Inside, you’ll find a futon and a bunk bed. There’s water provided nearby and a picnic bench for outdoor meals.
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Snorkeling Elk Yurt
Location: Tushar Mountains
Size: Sleeps eight
Price: $100-$140 a night
Click here for rental information
Welcome to one of the oldest yurts in Utah. It definitely shows its age, but visitors don’t come for pristine living quarters, they come for the absolutely stunning mountain views this yurt offers. There’s also great skiing in the area, so the location provides plenty of daytime activities. Due to the rugged terrain, you’re required to get a guide on your first trip to the yurt. This involves an additional fee, but it’s worth it to know that you’ll reach your destination safely.
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Grizzly Ridge Yurt
Location: Ashley National Forest
Size: Sleeps eight
Price: $30 a night
Click here for rental information
At an elevation of 9,200 feet, the Grizzly Ridge yurt offers amazing views and abundant wildlife. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities. It has two bunk beds with mattresses, but you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bags. If you’re an angler, it’s important to note that this yurt is only a short drive from one of Utah’s most renowned fishing destinations, Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
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Blue Sky Antelope Yurt
Location: Wanship
Size: Sleeps six
Price: $125-$175 a night
Click here for rental information
Because it’s one of the newest yurts in the state, the Blue Sky Antelope yurt is in excellent condition. It uses solar energy to power its indoor lights and even boasts laminate flooring. There’s a large deck to hang out on and a picnic table. Because it’s located in hill country, you’ll get uninhibited stargazing and the chance to see lots of wildlife.
Do you have a favorite yurt in Utah? Feel free to share it on the comment boards.
Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, product reviews and other interesting things. You can contact him at grantorrin@gmail.com.
