The camping options are endless; tent, car, RV, van, hammock, minimalist, truck, rooftop, canoe, jetski, etc… (Okay, that last one isn’t real, but it sounds fun, right?). But for those looking for a more comfortable overnight experience, yurt camping in Idaho is a fantastic choice.
What is a yurt?
A yurt is a cross between a luxurious cabin and a primitive tent. Its shape is round with a cone-shaped roof and can vary in square footage from a two-person hut to a massive hall for large gatherings. The yurt’s bones are created by a collapsible wooden lattice held tight by a steel tension cable. Heavy-duty canvas covers the outside of the yurt. It’s a wonderfully creative structure.
Origins of Yurts
While today’s yurts are made from state-of-the-art materials, the design has not changed much since Mongolia’s ancient nomads developed these ingenious structures. Ancient Mongolians seasonally followed herds of livestock and the animals they hunted. Therefore they needed a mobile form of lodging that could withstand Central Asia’s harsh winds, rain, and snow. Similar in thought to the Great Plains Native Americans and their teepees. Today, more than half the population in Mongolia still living that yurt life.
Yurts in Idaho
Idaho has lots of Yurt camping opportunities, both on private land and in the backcountry. Idaho Parks and Rec manages a really cool yurt system in Idaho City Most of these yurts are stocked pretty well with everything you need for a semi-comfortable night in the woods. The average yurt has a wood stove, bunk beds, and a propane-powered kitchen. Yurt rentals usually include access to a bathroom, but your porcelain throne will not be attached. It’s going to be outhouse style. Think port-a-potty or more primitive-style like a campground bathroom. You’ll want to check what is included in your yurt stay ahead of time because each one might be different.
While yurts are stocked well with the essential, you’ll still have to bring some of your camping gear. Here comes the tricky part of yurts. Most of Idaho’s yurts require you to hike to them. If your not a backpacker, hauling all your baggage a few miles to your destination could prove a challenge.
If you are looking for a slightly more accessible way to try out yurt camping, check out the yurt at Sly Owl Ranch in Garden Valley. You can book a stay in the yurt through Airbnb or directly through the Sly Owl Ranch Website.
If you are a fan of a challenge, a fun winter yurt experience is to snowshoe to the Stargaze Yurt near Beaver Creek Summit. It’s a long uphill 1.3-mile slog on an ungroomed trail but the views at night are entirely worth the effort.
Both of these Yurts are less than an hour and a half from Boise.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.