Family yurt camping in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest — with mud, no stars, and zero regrets. - by Maylynn

Before I get into the trip, a quick introduction. I'm Maylynn, the person writing behind the scenes.

Mike, founder of Outdoor Element, is my brother-in-law. He married my sister, Noelle, and somewhere along the way, they recruited me to handle marketing. So yes, I'm biased.

These are literally my people. 

But that also means I've watched this gear get made, tested, and obsessed over up close.

When I packed OE knives, fire starter, and more for our family birthday trip into the Wasatch, it wasn't a marketing exercise. It was just… a trip. With gear I actually trust.

This Trip Wasn't Supposed to Be a Birthday Trip 

My birthday just happened to fall on one of the last open reservation windows for the yurt in early spring. 

But somewhere between shouldering our packs, hiking in, and watching the cast-iron stove come to life, it quietly turned into one of the best birthdays yet. 

And I'm already thinking it might become an annual thing.

Because here's the thing: when you can get your family together, completely unplugged, with nowhere else to be ... that's a genuinely great gift.

Yurt Camping: The Sweet Spot Between Glamping and Roughing It

If you've never tried yurt camping, I highly recommend it, especially as a first step into backcountry-style camping with kids or a mixed-experience group.

It's that perfect middle ground.

You're still very much outside — hiking in, hauling your gear, managing your fire — but you're not setting up a tent in the dark or sleeping on roots.

Our yurt was nestled about 3 miles in from the trailhead inside the Wasatch-Cache National Forest (https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/uinta-wasatch-cache).

The trails are well-maintained and clearly marked, which takes a lot of the anxiety out of venturing into the woods. 

Through the Bear River Outdoor Recreation Alliance, (https://brorayurts.org), the yurt itself was clean and well-stocked when we arrived:

- Split firewood ready to go
- Plywood bunk beds (bring a quality sleeping pad — trust me on this one)
- A cast-iron stove that kept the whole space warm and cozy
- A large round table with benches — perfect for card games, which we put to heavy use
- A clean outhouse nearby
- Solar-powered lights in both the yurt and the outhouse, which felt almost luxurious

What the Trail Actually Looked Like

We were hoping for snow. Clean, fresh fallen snow.

The plan was to melt and filter it for water during our stay — a trick that works really well and saves you from hauling heavy water weight in. But the Intermountain West has been so dry this winter and spring.

What we found instead were slushy, icy patches in the shaded spots and a whole lot of mud everywhere else.

Which meant heavier packs going in, all our water on our backs… and a very appreciated lighter hike out.

Our Australian Shepherd was absolutely in his element. He sprinted ahead to our oldest son (who was leading the trail), then looped back to check on the rest of us, then sprinted forward again — basically herding us the entire way there and back.

He ran through every mud puddle and rolled in every slushy snow patch like it was his job.

He was considerably less excited about his bath when we got home. (haha)

The Gear That Actually Got Used

I finally got to break out the Christmas gift my husband picked out for me — a Near Zero Dean TR 50 pack   (nearzero.co) — and I am genuinely loving it. He knows I've been getting more serious about backpacking lately, and he nailed it.

It's lightweight, which matters a lot on a miles-in hike. But what I really love is how it's organized. Everything is labeled — pockets, compartments, sections of the main pack. As someone who needs to know where things are and find them fast on the trail, that's a big deal for this Type A Mama! It also helps you load weight in a way that distributes it correctly, which makes a real difference after mile two.

Beyond the pack, here's what I leaned on:

Charlotte's Webbing 

Highly recommend having some kind of hang system any time wet-gear days are a possibility — it's a sanity saver.

Fiber Light

Scout Feather knife

This was my first time out with my brand-new Scout Feather, which Mike and Noelle gifted me — and even engraved with my name. Now no one can "borrow" it indefinitely. Thanks, guys! 

The blackened blade, orange scales, and glow liner? Sharp looking, if I do say so myself. (Pun fully intended.)

Each of my sons brought their own knives, so I never once had to share. 

One carried the new Slicer Feather, another carried his Scout Feather, and our youngest brought his Contour Feather. They put them to work right away ... starting fires in the stove, stripping bark off walking sticks they found along the trail, and whittling just for fun.

Watching them use their gear and practice real skills? That warms this mama's heart more than any campfire. 

The Parts That Didn't Go as Planned

I had this vision in my head of the family sitting on tree stumps around the outdoor fire ring, surrounded by snow, staying up late, watching for shooting stars while the Milky Way stretched overhead. 

The area is beautifully free of light pollution — it was supposed to be stunning.

Instead: cloud cover. Strong winds. No outdoor fire. And more mud than snow.

But honestly? None of that mattered.

We hiked down the hill to the river. We played cards around that big round table inside the yurt. We roasted s'mores. We talked. 

And at the end, the boys split firewood and restocked the woodbin for the next group.

We came home physically tired. (Even the dog was worn out!) 

Practical Tips Before You Book a Yurt Trip

If a yurt getaway is on your radar (and if it's not, it ought to be!) check out the Bear River Outdoor Recreation Alliance or search for yurt rentals in forests near you. It's one of the best entry points into backcountry-style camping, especially for families.

A few things worth knowing before you go:

Layer intentionally. Temperature swings in the mountains are real, even in spring. What feels fine at the trailhead can feel very different by nightfall.

Don't count on a water source. We were banking on snow and didn't get it. Have a plan B and carry more than you think you need. (We planned a minimum of 3 liters each for the overnighter and wished we'd brought more.) 

Have flexible fire plans. Inside (stove) and outside (fire ring), and always check conditions before you go. Fire bans and wind advisories can change things fast.

Bring a hang system for wet gear. A few feet of cord or webbing takes up almost no space and saves your sanity when gear comes in damp.

Keep your pack simple and intentional. What you carry should earn its weight. A few well-chosen pieces of gear beats a heavy pack full of "just in case" every time.

All in all, the yurt trip was a total success. Only thing missing was our daughter and her hubby, who couldn't get away from work and school. Fingers crossed for next year.

Here's to getting outdoors with those you love.

-Maylynn

No family photos would be complete if I didn't have my eyes shut in at least one 😆 

PS Curious about the gear? Check out all OE knives, our fiber light, and basecamp essentials on our website outdoorelement.com. Made by people who use it. That's the only kind worth carrying.