If you are planning a winter camping trip to the North Rim, there is now a wonderful option for you! The park now offers a yurt for for use from the Monday following Thanksgiving through April 15th. It accomodates 6 people and is outfitted with a table, chairs and a wood-burning stove. A portable toilet is located nearby.
A $10 permit plus $5 per group must be acquired from the Backcountry Information Center prior to your arrival. Groups are limited to 4 nights per stay.
Routes to Yurt
From Jacob Lake: The highway into the North Rim is closed from the Monday following Thanksgiving until May 15th. Snowmobiles are not allowed inside the park or on Highway 67 leading to the park from Jacob Lake. It is an approximate 50 mile ski from Jacob Lake Lodge to the North Rim yurt via the highway. The highway is the most direct route to the North Rim and the snow will likely be deep and uncut. Always be prepared. If you don’t make it to the yurt, carry the equipment and clothing necessary to spend the night outdoors. Attempting to make it to the North Rim in one day using this route is not recommended.
From Cottonwood Campground: It is 6.8 miles/ 4080 feet (uphill) to the trailhead and an additional 0.2 miles/ 200 feet further to the yurt. The hike from Cottonwood Campground can be treacherous and unforgiving. Snowshoes and over-the-shoe traction devices are recommended as there will very likely be icy crossings (especially late winter in the Muav layer) and deep snow (above the Redwall layer). Backcountry travelers should always be prepared to spend the night in an unexpected place. If you don’t make it to the yurt, carry the equipment and clothing necessary to spend the night outdoors.
For complete information, please visit the park’s North Rim Yurt section on their Winter Hiking page.
