Reserve your Backcountry Yurt
Online
By phone: 1-888-922-6743
About the Idaho City Backcountry Yurts
If you really want to get away from it all, spend a night at the Idaho City Backcountry Yurts, located about 1.5 hours (56-63 miles) north of Boise, ID.
Each yurt sleeps six people in a comfortable, well-furnished atmosphere with high mountain views, no neighbors, and access to a wide variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, Nordic and Telemark skiing, and snowshoeing. In winter, the yurts are accessed by a 2-3 mile ski or snowshoe trek. In summer, they are accessed by a few hundred yard hike. Our backcountry yurts have plenty to offer every outdoor enthusiast at any level, whether beginner or experienced.
You can choose from six fabulous backcountry yurts which are accessible year-round.
The Idaho City yurt system started in the fall of 1996 with construction of the Banner Ridge Yurt. From its inception, the yurt system was intended as a means for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of Idaho’s mountains year-round. To accomplish this, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho City Ranger District, and dedicated volunteers worked together, providing material, labor, and expertise to make the system a reality.
Funding to build the yurts came from a variety of sources: a National Recreation Trails Program grant, Park N’ Ski monies, and volunteer labor and donations. Monies generated from yurt rentals are first used to maintain the existing yurts. Any additional income generated is used to operate, maintain, and improve the surrounding trail network. This network includes mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing trails.
We recommend a high-clearance, all-wheel drive vehicle when traveling to the Idaho City Backcountry yurts.
Reservation Information
Yurt Access Code
All yurts have locks on their doors. Two weeks out from your reservation date and again one day before your reservation date, you will receive an email with the yurt door access code and other important information. It is your responsibility to read this important information and to take the code with you.
Failure to do so will result in inability to obtain entry to the yurt. If you do not receive an email, please contact IDPR by email at zane.patterson@idpr.idaho.gov or by calling (208) 514-2418 no less than 48 hours in advance of your arrival. No refunds are given for failure to obtain the yurt door access code. Take the combination with you.
The maps below are geo-referenced. If you open them using a geo-referenced map reader, like Avenza. With Avenza, as long as you download the map while in phone service, you can use your phone’s GPS tracking after leaving service.
- Summer Trail Map
- Winter Trail Map
- Yurt Location Map
- Winter Trails Map
- Park ‘N Ski Location Map
- Winter Park ‘N Ski Parking Rules
- Trail Descriptions
- Whitebark Pine Information
Please contact the Idaho City Ranger District at 208-392-3700 to obtain a map and get updates as to which trails are safe to recreate on before you go out and play.
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Backcountry Yurt Program operates on United States Forest Service Land under agreements with the Boise National Forest.
If a cancellation for a Backcountry Yurt occurs 21 or fewer calendar days prior to arrival, customer forfeits the first night or daily usage fee (base rate). If the cancellation occurs more than 21 calendar days prior to arrival, a cancellation charge of $50.00 will be assessed. At no time shall the customer be charged a cancellation fee that exceeds the base rate paid for the facility.
Questions? Email the program or call 208-514-2418.
For Idaho residents: $115 per night
For non-residents: $125 per night
There is a $10 plus tax non-refundable reservation fee charged at the time of booking.
Use fees are per night for a party of up to 6. Additional fees are $12 per person per night for a party greater than 6, with a maximum of 9 allowed.
For updates on grooming status and trail conditions: For updates on grooming status and trail conditions: visit the Idaho Non-Motorized Trails Program Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/IdahoNonMotorizedTrailsProgram
For the 7 day forecast in Idaho City, visit weather.gov.
Regional snow conditions, including depth.
For road conditions, visit the 511 website.
For avalanche reports, visit Avalanche.org
Welcome to our Pet Friendly Yurt. For the health, safety, and enjoyment of all of our guests and staff the following Pet Policy has been established.
From December 1st through the April 15th, pets are not allowed at Banner Ridge Yurt or Elkhorn Yurt. All other yurts are pet-friendly all year around. However, pet allowance is a privilege and is based on your cooperation.
Please be a responsible pet owner and respect the following rules:
- There is a two-pet limit.
- You are liable for the health and welfare of your pet(s) at all times.
- Pets must not be left unattended in the yurt at any time.
- Pets must be clean, house-trained, parasite, and disease free.
- Please take your pet to the animal relief area, designated with a sign.
- Please pick up after your pet around the yurt and on trails.
- Remember, there will be other guests arriving just after your visit. Please clean up animal hair and sanitize the yurt before you leave.
- You authorize IDPR to assess charges to the credit card on file at registration for any and all damages discovered in or around the yurt prior to or after departure, including but not limited to pet odor and stains, repair or replacement of property, excessive cleaning charges, and/or loss of revenue caused by a pet, including an ADA compliant service dog 28 CFR 36.302 (c) (8).
Idaho City Grooming Updates
For current grooming conditions please check our Facebook page.
Yurt Orientation Video
The video below is recommended for both experienced and first time yurt users. It illustrates the basics of the yurt experience and provides users with tips on how to make your yurt stay more enjoyable.