New yurts offer great camping opportunity at King County’s Tolt MacDonald Park

Featuring tall trees, green fields and an envious location at the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers, Tolt MacDonald Park is one of the true gems of King County’s regional park system.

Visitors to Tolt MacDonald Park can now take advantage of King County Parks’ newest amenity: Six yurts have been placed in the park, and they’re available for rent.

What is a yurt? The traditional yurt is a circular tent of felt or skins on a collapsible framework, and has been used for centuries by the nomadic people of Mongolia, Siberia and Turkey.

Modern-day yurts are made of canvas on a lattice-wood framework, with natural light provided by a clear dome. Roomy, comfortable and designed for use in almost any weather, yurts are a great alternative to traditional tent camping.

Decked out with features such as a futon bunks and double-bed futons along with side tables and battery-powered lanterns, each yurt sleeps up to seven people and can be rented for $40 per night. Yurts can be reserved by calling the King County Regional Scheduling Office at 206-205-5434.

The yurts at Tolt MacDonald Park are nestled among the trees and are accessed via a unique 500-foot-long suspension bridge that spans the Snoqualmie River. Two yurts are barrier free and meet ADA requirements.

While the yurts have no electricity or running water, fire pits, drinking water are located nearby. Restrooms and showers are also conveniently located within the park. There’s ample parking near the bridge’s eastern access, and wagons are available to assist campers in hauling gear across the bridge.

“The yurts at Tolt MacDonald Park are the latest in a long line of fantastic amenities that we are proud to offer to our parks users,” said Kevin Brown, King County Parks Director.

Tolt MacDonald Park is at 31020 Northeast 40th St., Carnation.

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/.