Rocky Mountain National Park

Although yurts have been around for centuries, they’ve recently gained popularity as a camping alternative. Historically used by nomads on the steppes of Mongolia and Siberia, these round tents with wooden frames are popping up at campgrounds and state parks across America. The modern versions, which include creature comforts such as electricity, wood floors and even propane heaters, are a great way to enjoy the great outdoors without pitching a tent. So pack the car and get ready to enjoy these two wheelchair-accessible Colorado yurts.

Snow Mountain Ranch

Operated by the YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch (www.ymcarockies.org) is located 80 miles west of Denver, in Granby, Colorado. The 5,000-acre ranch offers a number of lodging choices, including campsites, cabins, lodge rooms and yurts.

The yurt village is located a short drive from the main lodge, and there’s plenty of room between the yurts for maximum privacy. There’s accessible parking in front of the accessible yurt, and ramp access up to the front door. The yurt includes a wide door, wood floor and plenty of room to navigate in a wheelchair. It’s furnished with a 23-inch high open-framed queen-sized bed, two sets of bunk beds, a table and chairs, a microwave and a refrigerator. And if you’d prefer to cook outside, there’s an accessible grill and a picnic table on a cement pad near the front door.

There’s also an accessible shower room in the nearby shower house. It features a toilet with grab bars on the back and right walls (as seated), and a low-step shower with a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down shower bench. There’s plenty of room to roll around in the private bathroom, which also has a locking door. Outside there’s a large sink to rinse off your dishes, and a emergency phone connected directly to the office. All in all the access is pretty good, and bedding and towels are included, which isn’t necessarily the case at all yurts.

Golden Gate Canyon

Next up on our list of wheelchair-accessible Colorado yurts is Golden Gate Canyon State Park, (cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/golden-gate-canyon-state-park), which is located about 30 miles northwest of Denver. The accessible yurt is in Reverend’s Ridge Campground, which is pretty easy to find. As you approach the park, head north on Highway 119, then turn on Gap Road and follow the signs to the campground.

Yurt 1 – also known as Bobcat – features private parking next to the yurt, with ramp access up to the roomy front porch. There’s good access inside too, with plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair. It’s furnished with a 23-inch high double bed, a twin bed, a pair of bunk beds, and a table and chairs. There are lights, electrical outlets and a propane heater in the yurt, but all cooking must be done at the fire ring outside. There’s also an accessible picnic table near the fire ring. And as is the case with most yurts, you need to bring along your bedding and towels.

An accessible restroom is just a short level walk away, and the shower house is located on the other side of the campground. The pay showers include a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench in both the men’s and women’s shower houses. There are also accessible toilet stalls with room to maneuver a wheelchair, in both shower houses.

Golden Gate Canyon is a great place to spend a night or two, and the large deck on the yurt is the perfect spot to relax after a day in the park. As an added bonus, you just can’t beat the night sky in this neck of the woods.