Reserve your Backcountry Yurt
Online
By phone: 1-888-922-6743
About the Idaho City Backcountry Yurts
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 place for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of Idaho’s mountains year-round. You can choose from six incredible backcountry yurts which are accessible year-round. The yurts are 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 outdoor enthusiasts at any level, whether beginner or experienced.
Click through the slides below for a preview of each of the six yurts.
Yurt 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 small 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 (at all the yurts during the summer months, and four out of the six during the winter months)
- Summer-use trails (hiking, biking, stock riding, OHV-ing)
- Winter-use trails (skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, fat tire biking)
We recommend a high-clearance, all-wheel drive vehicle when traveling to the Idaho City Backcountry yurts.
Click on the image below to view a 360 degree photo of Stargaze Yurt. The interior layouts are similar in all six yurts.
The maps below are geo-referenced. If you open them using a geo-referenced map reader, like 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
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Backcountry Yurt Program operates on United States Forest Service Land under agreements with the Boise National Forest.
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.
From November 15th through April 30th, yurt users parking in Whoop Um Up, Gold Fork, Banner Ridge, or Beaver Creek parking lots are required to have a Park N’ Ski pass.
For updates on grooming status and trail conditions, visit the Idaho Non-Motorized Trails Program Facebook page.
For air quality, visit the Real-Time Air Monitoring Map by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
For the 7 day forecast in Idaho City, visit weather.gov.
For regional snow conditions, including depth, visit the National Water and Climate Center’s interactive map.
For road conditions, visit the 511 website.
For avalanche reports, visit Avalanche.org
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.
Cancellation exceptions for air quality concerns will be made if the Air Quality Index reading is at 151 or more. Reservations can be cancelled for a full refund if we are contacted within 48 hours of the arrival date. Please use the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Map to monitor the conditions at the yurts in real time.
To cancel a reservation Monday – Friday from 8:15AM – 4:45PM MST, please call (208) 514-2444. To cancel a reservation after business hours, please email IDPR Customer Support. When cancelling a reservation, please have your reservation number available.
Questions? Email the program or call 208-514-2418.
For the health, safety, and enjoyment of all of our guests and staff the following Pet Policy has been established.
From December 1st through 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).
