Idaho yurts for rent

By Pete Zimowsky | The Idaho Statesman • Published January 12, 2009

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Heavy snow pummeled the skylight of the Rocky Ridge yurt deep in the Boise Mountains.

A fire flickered in the wood stove and the temperature inside the circular Mongolian-style domed tent was in the 60s, perfect for sleeping.

Outside, it was somewhere in the teens.

Even though the yurt was surrounded by mountains smothered in 6 feet of snow, our stay in the yurt was downright comfortable.

Yurts have grown in popularity over the past 20 years and have introduced a lot of people to winter in the mountains.

They are popular because they make winter camping like not camping at all.

Most come equipped with cooking stoves, wood stoves, cooking utensils and bunks. All you have to haul in is food, personal items and a sleeping bag.

Some yurts operated by outfitters have catering available.

Yurts have spread from the backcountry to ski resorts and state parks.

There are adventures for everyone, from backcountry powder hounds to those who only want to stroll a quarter mile from pavement.

Renting a yurt is a warm and cozy way to enjoy the snowy backcountry and days of snowshoeing and Nordic skiing.

A variety of yurts are available from Bogus Basin to McCall and toward Sun Valley.

Here is a list of some of the yurts available. Be forewarned, most yurts are booked for popular winter weekends.

But if you snag one and try a winter adventure, you'll keep coming back for more.

Harriman State Park

What: Two yurts at Harriman State Park in eastern Idaho are next to an extensive cross-country ski trail system and a short distance from the world-famous Henrys Fork of the Snake River. It is definitely a place for wildlife watching and photography. Harriman State Park lies within an 11,000-acre wildlife refuge with large populations of trumpeter swans.

Cost: $45 a night.

Notes: Harriman yurts can sleep a maximum of six people.

Getting there: Drive 18 miles north of Ashton on U.S. 20. It is an all-day drive from the Treasure Valley.

Information and reservations:

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