Reserve your Backcountry Yurt
Online
By phone: 1-888-922-6743
About Banner Ridge Yurt
Banner Ridge backcountry yurt is located just off a high ridge in a protected north‐facing bowl. It offers spectacular views of the South Fork of the Payette River, Bear Valley and Scott Mountain. When the yurt is snow-free, guests can drive with a high-clearance vehicle within a few hundred yards of the front door. During the winter months, guests park in Banner Ridge Park N’ Ski parking lot and ski or snowshoe about two miles to the yurt.
During the warmer months, there are many miles of high elevation primitive roads and trails available for hiking, mountain biking and stock users. Nearby, off-highway vehicle users can find trails to enjoy. One backcountry road near the yurt descends 3,000 feet in 12 miles to Kirkham Hot Springs, a primitive soaking pool along the South Fork of the Payette River. During the winter, the yurt is a telemarker, snowshoer, Nordic skier and snowboarder’s haven with its long, open slopes, thousands of feet of untracked powder. Banner Ridge Yurt also provides access to more than 20 miles of groomed and 20 miles of ungroomed ski and snowshoe trails just outside the front door.
We recommend a high-clearance, all-wheel drive vehicle when traveling to the Idaho City Backcountry Yurts.
Site Amenities:
Because of the backcountry nature of the yurts, IDPR cannot guarantee that all the amenities listed below will be available during your stay.
- Sleeps 6 (one futon and two bunk beds)
- Solar powered lights
- Mountain views
- Propane cook stove (bring your own propane)
- Kitchen basics (pots, pans, large utensils, salt, and pepper)
- Dishes and silverware
- Hot water kettle
- Pour over filter stand
- Plastic cups and wine glasses
- Wood stove (wood provided)
- Dining table and six chairs
- Wooden benches
- Pit toilet
- Cleaning supplies
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Carbon monoxide alarm
- Outdoor fire pit (gather your own wood)
- Outdoor picnic table
- Pets welcome April 16th - November 30th
- Summer-use trails
- Winter-use trails (groomed and ungroomed)
Click through the slides below to see our summer yurt guide, winter yurt guide, summer trail map, winter trail map, and winter parking guidance.
- For the latest trail conditions, check the Idaho Non-Motorized Trails Program Facebook Page.
- Click here to check snow depths. Search for Jackson Peak or Mores Creek Summit.
- If you plan on recreating in avalanche terrain, always check the local avalanche forecast.
- Still have questions? Email the program or call (208) 514-2418.