Yurts & Unique Stays in Moab, Utah
Trade the standard hotel room for a circular canvas roof and a sky full of stars. From state park yurts on the rim of Dead Horse Point to backcountry retreats in the La Sal Mountains and luxury safari tents outside Arches, here's how to pick the right unique stay for your Moab trip.
- What It Is
- Circular lattice frame, canvas or fabric walls
- Closest Yurts
- Dead Horse Point State Park, 32 miles out
- Book Ahead
- State park yurts open 4 months out
- Best For
- Couples, small groups, photographers
What Is a Yurt, Exactly?
A yurt is a round, freestanding structure built on a lattice wall frame and topped with a domed roof, traditionally covered in felt or canvas. The design originated with nomadic herders in Central Asia, prized for how quickly it goes up, how well it sheds wind, and how much interior space it creates from a compact footprint. The modern camping version keeps that circular shape and fabric shell but adds a wood floor, a locking door, real furniture, and often heating and air conditioning, which is why it sits somewhere between a tent and a cabin.
Near Moab, "yurt" covers a few different experiences. Utah State Parks operates fixed, amenity equipped yurts you drive right up to at Dead Horse Point. A private outfitter in the La Sal Mountains rents rustic, generator free yurts reached by trail. And several nearby glamping resorts use tall safari style canvas tents that function the same way a yurt does — a durable fabric structure with a real bed inside — even though they're technically a different shape. We've grouped all of them here because they solve the same problem: how to sleep outside in Moab's canyon country without pitching your own tent.
Whichever style you choose, the appeal is the same. You get the wraparound quiet of camping, unobstructed views of the La Sal Mountains or the canyon rim, and some of the darkest night skies in the country, without giving up a real bed or a roof that won't collapse in a desert wind gust.
Insider tip: Dead Horse Point releases yurt reservations exactly four months before the stay date on Utah State Parks' booking system. If you want a spring or fall weekend, set a reminder for that release date and book the moment the window opens — these units are gone within hours during peak season.
Five Yurt & Unique Stay Properties Near Moab
Two are managed by Utah State Parks, one is a backcountry outfitter in the La Sal Mountains, and two are luxury glamping resorts near Arches and Canyonlands. Here's what each one actually offers.
Moenkopi Yurts
Five yurts set in a secluded cul-de-sac near the park entrance, each with a bunk bed, a pullout futon, a mini fridge, and a microwave. Heating and air conditioning are both included, and a private spur trail connects directly to the Intrepid mountain biking system.
- Sleeps up to 6 (queen bunk, full bunk, futon)
- $150/night, discounted to $100 in shoulder season windows
- Pet friendly with a $20 per dog nightly fee, max two dogs
- Shared modern restrooms nearby, no showers on site
Wingate Yurts
Four yurts inside the Wingate Campground loop, built to the same standard as Moenkopi with a queen and full bunk plus a futon couch. A footpath just past yurt six drops onto the West Rim trail, making this the pick for guests who want a short walk to the view.
- Sleeps up to 6 (queen bunk, full bunk, futon)
- $150/night, discounted to $100 in shoulder season windows
- No pets permitted, service animals excepted
- Walking access to the West Rim trail
Talking Mountain Yurts
A handful of individually named, rustic yurts scattered through the La Sal Mountains, each stocked with bunks, a fully equipped kitchen with a propane cook stove, and a wood burning stove for heat. Winter guests ski or snowshoe in for backcountry powder; summer guests use them as a cool, high elevation base for hiking and mountain biking.
- Sleeps up to 8 across bunk style beds
- Fully equipped kitchen, wood stove heat, composting outhouse
- Trail access to Kokopelli and other La Sal routes
- Best value for groups splitting a backcountry stay
Under Canvas Moab
Safari style canvas tents on a 40 acre property between Moab and Arches, with tiers ranging from a shared bathhouse Safari Tent up to a private ensuite Suite Tent. Every tent includes a wood burning stove, and the property runs nightly campfire and s'mores gatherings for guests.
- Sleeps 2–4 depending on tent tier
- King beds, wood stove heat, shared or private bathhouse
- Nightly campfire, s'mores, and adventure booking desk
- 10 minute drive to the Arches entrance
ULUM
The high end sibling to Under Canvas, ULUM sets 50 safari style tents across a 200 acre desert property within steps of Looking Glass Arch. Every tent has a private ensuite bathroom with a rain shower, a wood stove, and air conditioning, and the grounds include heated dipping pools, a hot tub, and a spa carved directly into the sandstone.
- Sleeps up to 4 adults, cot available for a child
- Private bath, rain shower, wood stove, and air conditioning
- Pools, hot tub, spa cave, and an onsite restaurant
- Open late March through late October, confirm current dates
Compare Yurt & Unique Stay Options
A side by side look at style, price, and who each property fits best.
| Property | Style | Sleeps | Price / Night | Bathroom | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moenkopi Yurts | State park utility yurt | 6 | $100–$150 | Shared, nearby | Pet owners, mountain bikers |
| Wingate Yurts | State park utility yurt | 6 | $100–$150 | Shared, nearby | Sunset and stargazing trips |
| Talking Mountain Yurts | Backcountry rustic yurt | 8 | Varies by yurt | Composting outhouse | Groups, skiers, off grid trips |
| Under Canvas Moab | Safari style glamping tent | 2–4 | $$$ | Shared or private | Couples near Arches |
| ULUM | Luxury glamping resort | 4 | $$$$ | Private, ensuite | Special occasions, spa seekers |
Book a Unique Stay
These three properties can be checked and booked online right now. The Dead Horse Point yurts book directly through Utah State Parks using the links above.
Yurt & Glamping FAQ
What is a yurt and how is it different from a tent?
A yurt is a round structure built on a rigid lattice frame with a fixed wood floor, a locking door, and often heating or air conditioning. A tent is a temporary shelter you set up and take down yourself with no permanent floor or climate control. The yurts and safari tents on this page fall between a tent and a cabin: fabric walls, but a real bed and a structure that stays put.
How do I book the yurts at Dead Horse Point State Park?
Moenkopi and Wingate yurts are booked directly through Utah State Parks' reservation system, not through a hotel booking site. Reservations open exactly four months before the stay date and go quickly for weekends in spring and fall, so book as early as the window allows.
Are the Dead Horse Point yurts pet friendly?
Moenkopi allows up to two dogs per yurt for a $20 per dog nightly fee. Wingate does not allow pets other than trained service animals. If you're traveling with a dog, Moenkopi is the one to book.
Do the yurts have bathrooms or showers?
The state park yurts at Dead Horse Point use shared restroom facilities a short walk away, and there are no showers anywhere in the park. Talking Mountain's backcountry yurts use a composting outhouse. Under Canvas and ULUM both include real bathrooms, either shared bathhouses or private ensuite showers depending on the tent tier.
What's the difference between a yurt and a safari tent like Under Canvas or ULUM?
A safari tent is rectangular rather than round and uses a canvas exterior over a wood frame, but it serves the same purpose as a yurt: a durable, weatherproof structure with a real bed inside. We group them together here because travelers searching for a unique stay near Moab are usually comparing all of these options side by side.
When is the best time to book a yurt or glamping stay near Moab?
Spring and fall weekends are the busiest and should be booked as far ahead as each property allows, up to four months for the state park yurts. Summer is hot enough that the shaded, higher elevation Talking Mountain yurts are the most comfortable option. ULUM closes for winter, while the Dead Horse Point yurts and Under Canvas operate through the colder months with heat included.
Ready to Sleep Under Moab's Stars?
Whether it's a drive up state park yurt or a five star tent with a private plunge pool, book your unique stay before the dates you want disappear.
Keep Planning Your Stay
Some links on this page are affiliate links. moabing.com may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Moenkopi Yurts and Wingate Yurts link directly to Utah State Parks and are not affiliate links.