Yurts were starting to be popular for camping when I was doing my big road trip, but they seem to have exploded in the United States since the pandemic. Yurt rentals in Utah, and elsewhere, run the gamut from ultra-luxury safari tents to one step above pitching a tent. Whether you’re tired of sleeping on the ground or just considering glamping as an alternative to hotels, you’ll find yurts in Utah that are perfect for your next trip! Many of these yurts can be found in my guide to glamping in Utah, but this post is just for the yurt fans!

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Utah State Park Yurts

At this time, three of Utah’s State Parks have yurts that you can rent for overnight stays. The State Park yurts are typically more rustic, but also more affordable than most of the glamping resorts in Utah. Utah has the highest concentration of International Dark-Sky Association-certified locations in the United States, so pretty much all of these Utah yurts will have phenomenal nighttime views.

Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley is one of the coolest Utah State Parks, and it’s even better if you can stay overnight! I spent a night in one of their yurts last summer on my way to a family vacation in Colorado. It was almost a full moon, so I want to come back for a new moon when the dark skies will be even more spectacular! While the yurt does have air conditioning, it would be nice to come when the weather is a bit cooler.

Goblin Valley has 3 yurts that each rent for $150 per night. They are pet-friendly and have solar power for the air-conditioner, as well as a wood-burning stove. My yurt had an amazing zero-gravity chair on the deck, which was perfect for stargazing. I had a table, four chairs, and bunk beds with twin and full mattresses.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Near Moab, Dead Horse Point State Park also has yurts for rent. Aside from camping in the national park, this is the closest place to stay near Canyonlands National Park. That’s a good enough reason to stay here; on my last trip to Moab, there was a long wait to get into Canyonlands.

East Canyon State Park

Not far from Park City, East Canyon State Park is one of my favorite Utah SUP spots. The yurts here sleep up to six people, and the price is $120 during the week and $150 on the weekends. They have power and heat in the winter, which would be fun if the road to get there is clear. I would double-check that with the park before making a winter reservation!

Yurts Near Utah National Parks

A lot of the yurts in Utah are perfectly positioned near Utah’s National Parks because that’s where the tourists are! A National Parks road trip is the perfect time to experience yurt camping for the first time.

East Zion Resort

East Zion Resort is located near Orderville on the east side of Zion National Park. To get to Zion, you'll go through the Mt. Carmel tunnel, which is breathtaking but can also back up if RVs or trucks are coming through. The yurts at East Zion sit on a bluff overlooking the campground, with splendid views of sunset over Zion. These glamping yurts have electricity, air conditioning, bathrooms and kitchens, as well as a spacious furnished patio.

Talking Mountain Yurts

The La Sal Mountains that overlook Moab are an area of Utah that I have not yet explored, but always wanted to! I'm definitely putting these Moab yurts on my list for my next trip to Moab. These are the closest I've found to backcountry camping yurts, although there is a nearby parking area with carts to carry your belongings to the yurt. A few of these are also open in the winter for touring skiers and snowmobilers.

Other Yurt Rentals in Utah

Boulder Mountain Ranch

Just outside of Boulder, Boulder Mountain Ranch is a cute resort that is seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The property has a variety of lodging options that include Lodge rooms, cabins, and four yurts. Each yurt has a furnished private patio that wraps around the yurt, a charcoal grill, electricity that powers a mini-fridge and coffee maker, and access to an outhouse bathroom with a flush toilet and outdoor shower. They are pet-friendly, too!

Escalante Yurts

Another spot for yurt rentals in Southern Utah is the Escalante Yurts Resort near the town of Escalante. This is a great location along Highway 12 between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, and the town of Escalante has a few good restaurants, too. Escalante Yurts aims for a luxury glamping experience, with seven yurts scattered around the property. The largest yurts are 900 square feet and can sleep up to seven people.

Don't miss Grand Staircase Escalante, one of Utah's best National Monuments!

Monte Cristo Yurt

Not all yurts are in Southern Utah! The Monte Cristo Yurt is located near Hyrum in Northern Utah's Cache County. This Utah yurt can sleep up to eight to ten people between two queen beds and six bunk beds. This is truly as Backcountry yurt, as guests will need to hike or ski in for winter stays.

Soldier Summit Yurt

With the same owners as Monte Cristo Yurt, the Soldier Summit Yurt is a rustic glamping spot near Highway 6. This is an area I've driven through many times en route to Moab, however, I've not stopped to explore much. It's between Strawberry Reservoir, Scofield Reservoir, and Price Canyon, so the recreational opportunities are endless.

What to Bring Yurt Camping

Packing for a yurt trip will depend on the kind of yurt you are renting. If you're at Camp Sareka at Amangiri, just bring fistfuls of cash to tip the staff. However, I'll assume you're camping in a more rustic yurt like those found at the State Parks. In that case, your yurt packing list will be pretty similar to car camping. Make sure you read all of the details on the website when booking, as well as any additional emails regarding your reservations. Some yurts provide sleeping pads, while others might not. Some have ensuite bathrooms, while others might have an off-site bathroom. I would recommend starting with a packing list for car camping and eliminating items that you won't need. These Backcountry meals are easy to prepare, regardless of yurt amenities, so if you're new to cooking outdoors, start there!

A pretty basic list of yurt camping essentials would include:

• Sleeping bag or sheets, pillow
• Headlamp and/or lantern
• Camp stove and fuel (don't forget a lighter and matches!)

If you're staying in a Backcountry yurt that's pretty rustic, then my backpacking gear list should be perfect.

I know there are many more yurts in Utah; tell me which ones I should put on my list next summer!