Big Water Yurt

About

Big Water Yurt offers a unique backcountry winter camping experience in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Located at the Upper Big Water Trailhead in Mill Creek Canyon, the yurt sits 4.5 miles beyond the winter gate and is accessible only by ski or snowshoe. This makes it an ideal basecamp for winter recreation, with access to Little Water Peak, Big Water Peak, Soldier Peak, and Gobbler's Knob. The yurt accommodates up to 8 people and is equipped with a wood-burning stove for heating and cooking, a table with benches, and multiple sleeping platforms. An outhouse is located next to the yurt. Reservations are managed by Salt Lake County Parks in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and open on November 1 each year at 8:00 a.m., filling quickly due to high demand. Dogs are permitted only during January and March, with a maximum of two dogs allowed. During December, February, and April, dogs are not allowed. Check-in is at 1:00 p.m. and check-out is at noon the following day. Visitors should be prepared for backcountry winter conditions and bring their own water and supplies.

Directions

From Salt Lake City, travel east on 3800 South to Wasatch Boulevard. Turn left and continue to the Mill Creek Canyon Road entrance. Pay at the tollbooth and proceed up canyon. During winter (November 1 through approximately May), the road is gated at Maple Grove. Park at the Maple Grove parking area and ski or snowshoe 4.5 miles up the road to the yurt at the Upper Big Water Trailhead.