Photo of Whispering Pines Yurt in the Summer
Backcountry Yurts
Welcome to the six fabulous backcountry yurts in the Idaho City Area Yurts and Trails system, about an hour from Boise. Our newest yurt, Stargaze, is now available for rent on-line. At the yurts, you can hike, mountain bike, Nordic,Telemark ski, snowshoe or horseback ride depending on the season. In the winter it’s a 2 to 3 mile trek by ski or snowshoe to get to a yurt. In summer months there is a 10-minute to one-mile hike to the yurts. Once you arrive you will be greeted by cozy, comfortable and well-supplied accommodations. The area is called backcountry because of the solitude with high mountain views and no neighbors. This outdoor experience has plenty to offer all levels of outdoor enthusiasts, whether beginning or experienced. The backcountry yurts sleep six and rent for $75 per night, Monday through Thursday. Weekend rate is $90 per night, Friday through Sunday, for the first six people. Click here to view a full panorama of the inside of the Stargaze Yurt.
To get current snow and grooming conditions for the area, call the Idaho City Snow phone at: 208-514-2423. Or for information on hourly snow depths and temperatures check out this Snotel site
The Idaho City Area is between two reporting sites, so you can look at both. Just select either Jackson Creek or Mores Creek Summit as the site name, select 2-5 days for the report period and then hit generate report. You will then find an hourly history of snow depths, temperatures and total snow depth at that site.
Click on the individual yurts for more information: photos, maps, & guides:
Banner Ridge Yurt
Elkhorn Yurt
Skyline Yurt
Whispering Pines Yurt
Rocky Ridge Yurt
Stargaze Yurt
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View a short video of an overnight backcountry yurt experience, produced by Pete Zimowsky,Outdoor Writer for The Idaho Statesman on
You Tube.
Reservations: Reserve your stay online using the "book now" link below or by phone: 1-888-9-CAMPID (888-922-6743).
Heading off to a Yurt? Be sure to ‘YAC’ before you PACK. Get your ‘Yurt Access Code’ from the Yurt Coordinator before you go! Each Yurt has an individual code number that you must enter on the door lock when you arrive before you can get in. Be sure you have that code written down somewhere before you head up the trail. Remember, it’s your responsibility to make sure you have the code before you go. We’d be so sorry to hear that you stood on the deck, locked out, but no refunds will be given for failure to obtain the access code.
Here’s how you can get it:
By phone: call 1-208-514-2418 to reach the Yurt Coordinator a week to 2 days ahead of your planned trip.
By e-mail: judy.ditto@idpr.idaho.gov -- and the Yurt Coordinator will e-mail the code back to you.
Be sure to include the name of the Yurt you’ve booked, your reservation number, name and phone number when you e-mail or phone. Allow at least 2 days for a response.
Yurt Manuals
These manuals will provide you with important information concerning the Idaho City Area Yurts and Trails system for a specific seasons.
Summer Manual
Winter Manual
Maps
Click here for a Location Map of Idaho City Areas
Park N' Ski Permits
required from November 15th to April 30th
Parking in a Park N' Ski lot is usually the beginning of your journey into a yurt. The annual and three day parking permits are a cornerstone of the Nordic program. Revenues from the sale of permits go toward trail improvements, plowing parking lots and grooming trails. When skiers and snowshoers purchase a permit, they have a choice of which park the fee will be designated to. This gives the permit purchaser an opportunity to support and help make improvements to the area of their choice.
Now you can purchase your Annual or Temporary permits on-line. You can purchase an Annual Permit for $25, and the windshield sticker will come to you in the mail. Or the purchase of a 1-3 day Temporary Permit is $7.50 and allows you to print out your Permit/Receipt which is then placed on the dashboard of your vehicle.
PURCHASE PARK N' SKI PERMIT On-Line
Permits can also be purchased from the vendors on this list. It's always a good idea to call the vendor to make sure they have permits on hand.
Annual permit vendor locations
Temporary permit vendor locations
Remember that your annual permit is good at Park N' Ski areas in Oregon and Washington as well, due to a reciprocity agreement with those states. You must purchase and then display your Park N' Ski permit in the proper location on your vehicle to avoid citations or fines.
Thanks to all of you who made "Summer Season in the Yurts" such a big success.
We're already planning to offer discounts again next year. We'd love to hear from you: what did you like best about staying in a Yurt in the spring, summer, and fall seasons of the year? Any suggestions for next year? Send us your pictures too. You can contact Judy Ditto, Yurt Coordinator, at 208.514.2418, or email her atJudy.Ditto@idpr.idaho.gov.
It's time once again to enjoy Yurts in the snow.
Better book soon--weekends are already filling up.