Description
Starlight Retreat Yellowstone’s Family Tipi has beds for 7 guests. It’s an eco-friendly glamping retreat on 40 acres of stunning forest, meadows, and aspen groves; yet only several minutes from hwy 20 and 19 minutes to West Yellowstone. It's a 450 sq foot tipi with 1 King, 4 twins in various configurations plus a futon that folds into a twin bed size. Each bed and the futon comes with it's own bedding. You’ll enjoy a solar powered portable power station, interior lighting, extra blankets and be walking distance from shared bathrooms with hot showers.
Tipi's are a unique and rustic camping experience, bringing you closer to nature. While we strive to make your stay comfortable, please note that our tipis are not 100% rainproof due to their traditional open-top design. We do close the smoke flaps and use a tarp and rain catcher at the top to minimize water entry, but in cases of long and steady rain, some water may still get inside.
We have several identical tipi's of this size, if you want to book more than one for larger parties, you can book this same listing twice. If we have availability, it will automatically be reflected in what's available to you in the calendar. If we don't have availability, contact us and we'll make sure you get another tent type on site.
The Space
Our large family tipi is roomy yet cozy inside. With a 450 sq foot (24 foot diameter) interior, and a 22 foot ceiling height, you won’t feel cramped. It includes fresh linens and extra thick comforters for the king bed, the fold out futon and the twin bed with trundle. There’s also extra blankets in each unit to keep you warm in the coldest of nights. It gets warm during the summer days, but summer nights drop to a cool, comfortable temperature which is why we don’t have A/C.
We’re also the only eco friendly glamping site near West Yellowstone to supply a solar powered portable power station to every accommodation. This will power all the interior lighting, and allow you to charge all your devices, even laptop that take a standard 2 or 3 prong AC wall plug. They will NOT run a C-Pap machine.
Restrooms are walking distance and shared with other guests. We offer toilets, sinks and hot showers, all off grid. We also provide you with fresh bath towels.
We set up our tipi’s in June and the season ends Sept 30th. It’s easy to forget this is still camping so please remember to plan for the weather, that includes warm/cold weather, rain, mud, and even snow during some months.
Guest Access
At a quick 19 minute drive to and from the West Yellowstone gate, only several minutes off HWY 20, surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and some of the best fishing in the country, Starlight Retreat is in an ideal location for your Yellowstone vacation. Here you'll have access to acres of forest on site as well as miles and miles of trails all through the forest on and around our property, perfect for mountain biking, jogging, hiking or a side by side. The area has hundreds of miles of ATV trails connecting rivers, lakes and Yellowstone.
Love fishing? You’re .8 miles to the closest river and another mile to world famous fishing destination, Henry's lake. Plus you’ll find miles of world class river fishing and stunning waterfalls all over Island park. Good luck finding better fishing on the planet. There's a reason they call this area sportsman's paradise.
Free parking on site at each tent. Enjoy the convenience of parking right next to your tent and not having to walk far to carry your luggage or personal belongings.
Access Starlight Retreat by exiting HWY 20 at Red Rock Rd, taking your first right onto Bootjack drive. Starlight Retreat will be 1,000 feet down the road on your left. Follow signs for parking.
Food
Breakfast: We offer complimentary coffee and tea at our welcome center each morning from 7 AM to 9 AM. We also have grab 'n go breakfast items available for purchase so you can get your adventures going for the day.
Lunch: Eat in the park at one of the many restaurants near old faithful or pack your own lunch in.
Dinner: Our on-site community area offers a BBQ grill and camp stove available for guest use where you can prepare meals and enjoy them in our community picnic area and among our amazing mountain and forest views. We also have our fire pit available if you want to roast hot dogs or cook a camping style dinner (fire starts nightly around 7 PM, depending on sunset). If you are looking for more sit down restaurant style dining, you can find restaurants within a 20 minute drive of Starlight Retreat, including those in West Yellowstone and Island Park. Most close at or before 8:00 pm, so make sure to plan ahead. We also offer complimentary s’mores starting around 7:00 pm and our fire stays lit until 10:00pm for all our guests to enjoy (weather permitting; please note that it is also possible in dry summers to have campfire privileges paused by the forest service).
Restrooms:
Centrally located on the property, we have on site luxury portable restroom trailers with hot water showers, well-ventilated spaces, flushing toilets and warm running water sinks. Keep in mind, everything is off grid but you will have a truly nice bathroom experience that offers a fresh, clean restroom, leaving you not dreading your next trip.
Other Details
At Starlight Retreat, we offer a glamping experience, which is still a form of camping, so there are a few things to be prepared for that will be different than a hotel stay.
-Wildlife: One of the unique draws to this area is its amazing variety of wildlife. The ones our guests should be aware of are bears, moose, insects, cows and dogs.
-Moose: Prepare to be enchanted by the majestic presence of moose, one of the captivating inhabitants of Starlight Retreat. These gentle giants roam freely in the surrounding forests, adding to the allure of your outdoor experience. While encounters with moose are a highlight for many of our guests, it's important to respect their space and observe them from a safe distance. Remember, these magnificent creatures are wild animals and should be admired with caution. To ensure a harmonious coexistence, we advise guests to refrain from approaching or attempting to feed moose. Appreciate their beauty from afar and cherish the opportunity to witness them in their natural habitat. For your safety and the well-being of our resident moose population, we ask that all food, trash, and scented items remain securely stored in your vehicle. During your stay, keep an eye out for these gentle giants as they gracefully navigate their woodland domain, adding an extra touch of wonder to your glamping adventure.
-Bears: While most bears (grizzly and black) tend to stay within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park, their ability to travel long distances and their keen sense of smell mean they may occasionally venture into our area. To ensure the safety of our guests and prevent any unwanted interactions, we have a few guidelines in place. At Starlight Retreat, our top priority is your safety and the well-being of our wildlife. We ask that you refrain from bringing any food, trash, deodorant, toothpaste, or any strongly scented items into your tents. While cars typically do a good job of containing smells, using sealed or zip-locked containers provides an extra layer of protection and we ask that you leave any food inside your car with the windows closed and inside a sealed container. For your peace of mind, each tent is equipped with a can of bear spray, although we hope you won't need to use it. Should you require more information on bear safety, please refer to the bear safety guide provided in your tent. Upon checkout, please leave the bear spray behind for the next guests to use. If you find yourself in need of additional bear spray, it's available for purchase at our welcome center. Please be mindful that any items taken from the tent will be subject to a charge. Let's work together to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone at Starlight Retreat.
-Insects: Every forest has insects, including mosquitoes. We treat our tent areas with professional pest control to help mitigate bugs. If you forgot bug spray, we offer it for purchase in our welcome center.
-Cows: We work with local ranchers and allow cows to graze on site. Don’t be alarmed if you see them as it’s perfectly OK and expected. Although relatively harmless, treat them as a wild animal and enjoy having them add to your experience.
-Tent Use: We have off grid mini solar power stations included with each unit. You just need to power it on to use it.
-Roads and mud: The water table in Island Park is high and the mountains bring lots of snow pack, moisture and rain, especially in May, early June and September. Most of the summer is dry but being in the mountains, the weather can change quickly in Island Park and that makes all for the fun of the experience. Keep in mind that may also bring muddy conditions and rutted out dirt roads. Our team works diligently to help maintain the roads and tent and bathroom areas but you’ll want to prepare for your experience by expecting that roads can be rutted and shoes and clothing can quickly get muddy. Prepare in advance by bringing an umbrella or raincoat and shoes you are okay getting muddy. We encourage you to embrace the elements and make this part of the joy of the outdoor experience. If there is mud in the bathrooms or other areas, rest assured that our staff will promptly work to address the needed cleanup. Please understand that during peak guest traffic, cleanup efforts may take a bit longer than usual. Upon entering your tent, we ask that you please remove any muddy shoes to preserve the cleanliness of the carpets and floors. Let’s work together and we can all ensure a comfortable stay for you and our other guests.
-Optional Extras: Enhance your stay with our selection of optional extras, designed to elevate your experience and cater to your needs. These can be conveniently purchased on-site, in advance through our website, or via the link provided in your booking confirmation.
Pack and Play Rental: For added convenience, consider renting a Pack and Play for $10 per night. We recommend reserving these in advance, as we have a limited quantity available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Two-Hour Early Check-In: Start your adventure sooner with our two-hour early check-in option for $20. Arrive as early as 2:00pm and make the most of your time at Starlight Retreat.
