Carter Military Trail Yurt

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355 N Vernal Ave
VERNAL, UT 84078

Overview

Carter Military Trail Yurt provides primitive lodging during summer and fall months, and during the winter, it is open to the public as a warming station for snowmobilers. It is located in the Ashley National Forest, at roughly 9,800 feet in elevation. It is approximately 25 air miles northwest of Vernal, Utah, and is situated near the historic Carter Military Trail and the Highline Trail.


The yurt can be accessed by vehicle, from Vernal, Utah. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring their own amenities.
 

Recreation

The yurt provides access to numerous hiking, biking and off-road vehicle trails, including the Carter Military Trail and the Highline Trail. The Carter Military Trail served as a military supply road from the legendary Oregon Trail in southwestern Wyoming, over the Uinta Mountains and to the Uinta Basin. The route winds up and down hills, through marshes and disappears in some spots, but it remains a significant trail due to its historic and archaeological culture.

Many lakes and reservoirs in the area are open to canoeing and fishing.

Facilities

The yurt is approximately 224 square-feet (less than 16 feet in diameter) and has limited amenities. Indoor plumbing, running water and electricity are not available. It can accommodate up to six people for overnight visits. Parking is available for a maximum of one RV/camp trailer and two vehicles. Tent camping is allowed outside the yurt.



The yurt has one bunk bed with full size mattresses that will sleep two-four people. No linens, bedding or pillows are provided.



The yurt is equipped with a heavy-duty propane case stove for cooking, a wood burning stove for heat and a folding table and chairs. A vault toilet is located outside.  

DUE TO COVID-19, COOKWARE AND SILVERWARE WILL NOT BE PROVIDED AT FACILITIES. GUESTS MUST BRING THEIR OWN SUPPLIES AND ARE ASKED TO NOT LEAVE ANY SUPPLIES AFTER STAY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH REASONS.

The yurt remains locked; call the Vernal Ranger District office, at (435) 789-1181, three business days prior to arrival, to confirm the combination lock code. COMBINATION CODE REQUIRED to enter yurt. (Some combination locks used have off-set entry lines. If code is not working, try off-setting entry line).

One portable propane Coleman lantern is provided but guests must bring extra propane canisters and their own mantles. The Forest Service provides propane for the stove. The tanks are located outside, beneath the deck and guests must activate the tanks upon arrival and deactivate them upon departure.


Natural Features

The yurt is situated on a scenic plateau, high in the Uinta Moutains of northeastern Utah. A mixed pine forest covers the area, offering limited shade. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant.

The Ashley-Karst National Geologic Recreation Area offers dramatic canyons, densely forested backcountry areas, and vast networks of caves.

The Red Cloud Loop Scenic Backway is nearby, meandering through miles of aspen groves, open meadows and lodgepole pine forests. Petroglyphs and historic sites dot the area.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (435) 789-1181.

Nearby Attractions

Numerous scenic driving routes on maintained dirt roads crisscross the area, providing miles of trails for off-road vehicles enthusiasts, hikers and mountain bikers. Trails lead to Long Park, Oaks Park and East Park reservoirs, Hacking Lake, Red Lake and Lily Pad Lake, as well as overlooks, forests, meadows and historic sites.



Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is known not only for its beautiful red cliffs, but also for world-class fishing for lake, brown and rainbow trout. Boating, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and scuba diving are popular activities on the reservoir.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

  • Pets allowed: all 1 sites
  • ADA accessible: all 1 sites
  • Largest party: 6 people

Directions

Follow the mileage indications below and look for signs on the ground when traveling to the yurt. Leave with plenty of time to arrive at the yurt before dark. From Vernal, travel north on U.S. Highway 191 (Vernal Avenue) for approximately 20 miles. Turn west (left) on Forest Road 018. A paved parking lot with a restroom is located at this intersection, but follow Forest Road 018 for approximately 3.3 miles. Turn west (left) at Forest Road 018/Red Cloud Loop Scenic Backway and continue for approximately 12 miles. At the four way intersection continue straight toward Hacking Lake and Leidy Peak. Continue on Forest Road 043 approximately 4.7 miles. Turn north (right) at Forest Road 026 and follow it approximately 1.7 miles to the Carter Military Trail Yurt.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

15 reviews
5 stars
9
4 stars
4
3 stars
2
Adam D
Loop:Carter Military Trail Yurt
Site:
Reviewed 19 days ago
The yurt and country up there was fantastic as usual. And I actually ran into a Forest Service member to chat with once. This was my 3rd time booking the yurt. Only complaint is with lacking supplies there were zero spare camp fuel canisters and no hatchet to make kindling (important) luckily I brought my own hatchet. Did not bring extra camp fuel (for once) because there had always been plenty in the past. Made the experience that much more rustic I suppose (: I’ve left some for the next people before and other items such as board games, TP, canned food, even blankets to cover the nasty fly covered mattresses haha.. etc. Always nice to see people leave something useful for the next as that really helps it be a great place to get away for a time. Enjoyed the stay, saw some deer and elk. Plan to be back. We should be in for an excellent winter. Oh and I left some handmade feather keychains this time; feel free to take one or a few with you when you leave if you make it up there. Please don’t try to go up in anything 2wd or low clearance. Best.
Katie J
Loop:Carter Military Trail Yurt
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
This stay exceeded our expectations. It’s very apparent that the USFS (and especially Oaklee!) takes amazing care of this place. It doesn’t have electricity or running water, but the lantern provided enough light for us to play games at night, and there is a trailhead style toilet about 100 feet away. There was water in the creek that was about another 100 feet away from the toilet, but idk if the creek is always available. We stayed for 2 nights and maybe had a dozen or so people go by. Our dogs had a blast as well with one not wanting to leave. Even though we live about 7-8 hours away, we will definitely be back. Thanks again to the USFS for providing such a cozy and fun experience.
Mike B
Loop:Carter Military Trail Yurt
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Unfortunately, our experience with the hunting in the area was disappointing. We found the hunting opportunities around Carter Military Trail Yurt to be very limited, and we did not have much success during our stay. The location itself may be suitable for some visitors, but if your primary reason for booking is to hunt, I would recommend doing some additional research on current game activity and hunting success in the area before making your plans.
Robert A
Loop:Carter Military Trail Yurt
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Great off the grid structure! Enjoyed it very much. Clean enough and just the right amount of space and necessities.
Andrew W
Loop:Carter Military Trail Yurt
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Loved this little Yurt. My Fiance and I got almost a foot of snow in late june but the Yurt was VERY cozy with plenty of things to do nearby, game to play and a stove to keep us warm. The yurt is really well maintained and in gorgeous country. We will be coming back.
Greg A
Loop:Carter Military Trail Yurt
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Fantastic
Availability

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Season dates

Peak season

May 28, 2027 – Oct 31, 2027

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Peak season

May 26, 2028 – Oct 31, 2028

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