Bear Claw Yurt

Bear Claw is one of five Yurts in Utah's Uinta Mountains near the Wyoming border along the Mirror Lake Highway. Located at the Lily Lake Touring Area, the yurts are a part of the Bear River Outdoor Recreation Alliance, and the trailhead is right near the Bear River Lodge. While it can be difficult to get a reservation here in winter, it is definitely worth the effort. The yurt is well maintained and offers three sets of bunk beds, a wood burning stove, a gas powered cooking stove with gas provided, a hard-wired gas lantern, a wood shed full of pre-cut logs, axes, and an outhouse. There is no electricity, but the stove keeps the yurt plenty warm when properly manned. There is a long pole with a hook on it that allows you to screw open the vent at the top of the yurt, and this is important when opening the door of the wood burning stove to stoke the fire. It will get too smoky inside the yurt if you don't open the vent, but make sure to close it when you complete your stay. Bring your air mattress because the mattresses they provide are kind of thin. Pots, pans, dishes and utensils are also provided at the yurt.

To reserve the yurt you will want to follow the instructions here. Because of the high demand, you can find that landing one of these reservations can take a stroke of luck. You need to call them at 307.789.1770 starting on the last Monday of October. Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so just keep calling until you get through. You can receive early reservation status by volunteering for maintenance in the summer. You can only access this side of the Mirror Lake Highway during winter from Evanston, Wyoming, and you cannot get there from Kamas, Utah, as you can in summer. The trek in from the road is about 2 miles each way, and it is a groomed path that is perfect for snowshoes or cross-country skis.