Yurts by the Creek: Wood‑stove Nights and a Finnish Sauna an Hour‑and‑a‑Half South of Anchorage

ANCHORAGE LODGING FIELD GUIDE

Yurts by the Creek: Wood‑stove Nights and a Finnish Sauna an Hour‑and‑a‑Half South of Anchorage

Toba's Yurt (part of the Manitoba Cabin complex) offers private yurt rentals just off the Seward Highway—this guide explains what the site provides, what it doesn’t, and what to pack for an unplugged backcountry stay.

See guide details

Yurts by the Creek: Wood‑stove Nights and a Finnish Sauna an Hour‑and‑a‑Half South of Anchorage.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
Anchorage
Operator
Alaska Huts Association
Category
Lodging

Adventure brief

Yurts by the Creek: Wood‑stove Nights and a Finnish Sauna an Hour‑and‑a‑Half South of Anchorage

Located an hour and a half south of Anchorage and just a half‑mile off the Seward Highway, Toba’s Yurt sits within the Manitoba Cabin compound—an historic, renovated cabin and two 16' sleeping yurts that together provide wood‑stove heat, basic kitchen gear, solar lights and simple, backcountry comfort.

For travelers craving a true escape into the wilds of Alaska, Toba's Yurt offers a rare chance to immerse yourself in the state’s untamed beauty. Located just outside Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, this private yurt rental brings you closer to the rugged landscapes that define the Last Frontier, all while providing cozy shelter and a unique outdoor experience. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a family looking for adventure, or a group eager to explore the wilderness together, Toba's Yurt is a standout option for connecting with Alaska’s immense natural playground.

Anchorage serves as the gateway to some of Alaska's most iconic natural features. From the towering peaks of the Chugach Mountains to the sprawling forests and placid lakes, the region is an adventurer’s dream. Toba's Yurt itself sits in a striking location that blends accessibility with seclusion. The yurt’s design embraces simplicity and functionality—offering a warm, inviting spot to rest after long days of hiking, kayaking, or wildlife spotting. Its circular structure provides panoramic views of the surrounding spruce and birch forests, and on clear nights, you might even catch a hint of the northern lights dancing overhead.

What makes Toba’s Yurt unique is its blend of comfort and wilderness immersion. Unlike traditional cabins, yurts provide an intimate connection with nature—the large windows invite the outside in, while sturdy walls keep you protected from the often brisk Alaskan weather. This makes it an ideal base for anglers heading to nearby streams, hunters tracking local game, or photographers keen to capture the region’s diverse wildlife, including moose and bald eagles.

Anchorage's proximity ensures that after your wilderness exploration, you have access to city conveniences—grocery stores, equipment rentals, and dining—while still feeling a world away from urban life by nightfall. The yurt is available for stays up to seven nights, accommodating groups up to eight, making it a perfect choice for families or friends seeking a shared excursion.

Toba's Yurt also carries an ethos of minimize environmental impact, encouraging guests to practice Leave No Trace principles and keep this pristine area intact for future visitors. The yurt’s off-grid capabilities reduce reliance on standard utilities, letting you engage fully with the natural surroundings.

Whether your itinerary includes hiking rugged trails, spotting wildlife, or simply unwinding beneath Alaska’s vast skies, Toba’s Yurt offers an unforgettable wilderness retreat that anchors your Alaskan adventure in authenticity and comfort.

Route Schematic

Route & Access

Access is a short approach from the Seward Highway with a roadside pullout; key stops describe the approach and on‑site features.

  1. Seward Highway pullout (Mile 48 area)

    Public access begins from the roadside pullout off the Seward Highway; visitors should be cautious about vehicle security while parked at the pullout.

  2. Half‑mile hike/ski approach

    The cabin and yurts are a roughly half‑mile hike or ski in from the highway pullout to the Manitoba Cabin site.

  3. Main cabin, yurts, and Hutkeeper's Quarters

    Arrival at the site brings you to the renovated main cabin with kitchen and communal space, two 16' sleeping yurts with bunks, and an attached private Hutkeeper's Quarters option.

  4. Canyon Creek, outhouse, and sauna

    Canyon Creek runs behind the cabin (a year‑round water source that must be treated); the site also includes an outhouse and a wood‑fired Finnish sauna.

This is a hike‑in/ski‑in site a short distance from the road; expect to carry your gear the half‑mile approach and exercise standard backcountry vigilance with parked vehicles at the pullout.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE ACCOMMODATION

Main Cabin, Two Yurts, and a Private Quarters

The main cabin was renovated by the Alaska Huts Association and sits with two 16' yurts for sleeping—each yurt contains a mix of single and double bunks—and an attached Hutkeeper's Quarters available as a private, propane‑heated room.

THE HEAT

Wood Stoves, Propane Heaters, and Solar Lights

Sleeping spaces are heated—Toba's Yurt is warmed by a wood stove while the Spirit Walker Yurt has a propane heater—and the cabin uses a wood stove for cooking and solar power for lights.

BACKCOUNTRY BASICS

No Running Water; Creek, Outhouse, and Sauna on Site

There is no running water at the cabin: Canyon Creek runs by the back door and must be treated before drinking; facilities include an outhouse and a wood‑fired Finnish sauna.

What the day feels like

What the Stay Feels Like

The experience is spare and deliberate: a short hike or ski from the roadside delivers you to a one‑story historic cabin with communal space and private sleeping yurts, where evenings revolve around stoking the wood stove, cooking on a four‑burner stove, and unplugging beneath solar lights.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who the site works best for—and who should look elsewhere.

1
Small groups and familiesIdeal for groups that can make use of communal sleeping in the yurts—total sleeping capacity accommodates up to eight people.
2
Multi‑night visitorsSuitable for stays lasting multiple nights within the allowed maximum—rentals can be booked for up to seven nights.
3
Solo travelers or couplesA solo traveler or couple can rent privately, but should be prepared for communal bunks and shared cabin facilities given the site’s overall capacity.
4
Large partiesNot a match for groups exceeding the site’s sleeping capacity—plan multiple adjacent rentals or alternative lodging for parties larger than eight.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

What to Bring

Bring a sleeping bag, personal food (including spices, condiments, coffee/tea) and any personal gear; guests must collect and pack out all food and any leftover edibles to avoid attracting wildlife. Note: mattresses are provided on bunks and kitchenware is available.

Fuel & Heat supplies

Propane for cooking is provided; wood for the wood stove is supplied while supplies last. Currently (winter 2025/26), guests must bring their own firewood.

Water & Power

There is no running water or electrical outlets on site. Canyon Creek is a reliable year‑round water source by the back door but water should be treated (boiled, filtered, or chemically) before drinking; lighting is solar powered.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

Is there running water at the cabin?

No; there is no running water. Canyon Creek runs beside the back door and is a reliable year‑round source that should be treated by boiling, filtering or chemical means before drinking.

Are there electrical outlets and indoor power?

There are no electrical outlets available; the cabin uses solar powered lights.

What heating is provided in the sleeping spaces?

Toba's Yurt is heated by a wood stove; the Spirit Walker Yurt has a propane heater; the main cabin also has a wood stove for heat and cooking.

Is firewood supplied?

Wood for the wood stove is supplied while supplies last. For winter 2025/26, guests are required to bring their own firewood.

What bedding and kitchen provisions are available?

Mattresses are provided on bunks and the kitchen is outfitted with dishes and utensils; guests should bring sleeping bags and their own food.

How many people can the site sleep and for how long can I stay?

The rentals sleep up to eight people and stays can be booked for up to seven nights.

Are there security concerns to be aware of?

There have been break‑ins at the Mile 48 pullout in the past; do not leave valuables or spare keys in or on your vehicle and report suspicious activity to the operator so they can coordinate with authorities.

How this guide was prepared

This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.

  • Verified: 2026-08-18T01:51:13.835Z

Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.

Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.

Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.

Yurts by the Creek: Wood‑stove Nights and a Finnish Sauna an Hour‑and‑a‑Half South of Anchorage