Destination: Yurt
February is a month when dreams of summer sun and heat creep into thoughts as Wyoming temperatures dip below zero. Plans for summer activities begin taking shape the last weeks of winter, including deciding where to make camping reservations. For tent campers who wish to indulge, or RV campers wanting a different camping experience, staying in a yurt offers a unique opportunity.
The Wyoming State Parks system currently offers yurts to rent in three state parks: Glendo State Park, Guernsey State Park (both in east central Wyoming) and Sinks Canyon State Park (west central Wyoming). Yurts are circular tents on a permanent frame and base.
Wyoming State Park yurts are furnished and sleep 6-10 people depending on the park and yurt. Yurts can be utilized year-round, depending on visitors’ cold tolerance. Yurts have wood stoves for heating. No bedding is included, and yurts do not have indoor plumbing. Vault toilets and water spigots are available, although water will be shut off during winter months. Fire pits and picnic tables are included at each yurt site. Several sites are ADA accessible.
Yurt reservation fees are $50 per night and can be booked in advance. New for 2021, Wyoming residents can book 120 days before their visit and non-residents 113 days. State park day use and camping fees also apply.
A family of six will find the yurts spacious inside. Campers accustomed to tent camping will find, in case of inclement weather, the sturdier canvas siding of the yurts is more tolerable than a traditional nylon tent. Glendo, Guernsey and Sinks Canyon offer various activities from fishing and boating to hiking, and yurts can make a memorable base for your getaway adventure.
If you’re interested in creating a custom itinerary that includes visiting one or more of the parks listed, staying in a yurt (or other accommodation), and discovering what Wyoming has to offer in these areas, please call or email: 307-277-1255 or WeKnowWyo@gmail.com
Photos and content by WeKnowWyo Contributor, Shannon Dutcher