Summer
The Jewel Basin Yurt is located approximately 4.7 miles up the Jewel Basin Road and sits at 5,000 feet above sea level. The yurt is privately owned and is located on private property. The vertical gain from the valley to the yurt is about 2,000 vertical feet. The Camp Misery Trailhead is approximately 1.7 miles up the Jewel Basin Road from the yurt and gains about 700 vertical feet.
In summer months a well-maintained U.S. Forest Service road (Jewel Basin Road 5392) acquires most of the elevation gain as you motor 2,500 vertical feet above Bigfork and Flathead Lake to Camp Misery Trailhead. For directions to Camp Misery Trailhead from your location click here: https://goo.gl/maps/eitFGGBaDwy
Motorized, bicycle and horse use is prohibited in the Jewel, making it a hiker’s playground. While not a designated wilderness area, the “hiking area” designation achieved in 1970 prevented the basin from being overwhelmed by motorized use. Climbers enjoy views into Glacier National Park to the north and the Bob Marshall Wilderness to the east from most of the five named mountains and 11 unnamed peaks in the basin.
Distance to the Jewel Basin Yurt:
From Bigfork: 12.4 miles
From Kalispell: 25.3 miles
From Whitefish: 37.5 miles
From Glacier National Park: 41.7 miles
From Missoula: 111 miles
From Bozeman: 290 miles
The 24’ (452 sq. ft.) Montana-made Shelter Designs Yurt accommodates eight people with three bunk beds and two trundle beds. A wood stove heats the yurt, which is also equipped with a table, chairs, propane cook stove, solar lights, Goal Zero power station, smoke alarm, mop and bucket, a fire extinguisher and a snow shovel. Firewood is stocked and split in a dry wood shed attached to the outhouse.
Spring, summer and fall in the Jewel reveals an incredible network of trails, lakes, wildlife, flora and fauna surrounded by views of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The Jewel Basin Recreation Area boosts 15,349 acres of non-motorized heaven. Within' the Jewel is a network of 35 connected trail miles, 27 named lakes, five named peaks and 11 unnamed peaks ready to be explored.
Most years you can drive to the yurt from the middle/end of May through the end of October/early November. Mother nature ultimately decides when the road becomes acceptable for safe vehicle travel. Other modes of transport to the yurt include: walking, hiking, biking, skinning, snowshoeing or snowmobiling.
We are off the grid: A wood stove heats the yurt. Toilet facilities consist of an outhouse with a pit toilet. There is no running water at the yurt. Guests should bring their own drinking water. Guests are responsible for cleaning the yurt and facilities at the end of their stay and are required to pack out all garbage and refuse upon checkout. Sorry, no pets, animals or dogs allowed at the yurt.
Useful Links to Summer Fun in and Around the Jewel Basin
Explore: Jewel Basin Hiking Area
Jewel Basin Hiking Area: Drive the climb to high mountain lakes
