The Best Things About Yurts Every Camper and Glamper Needs to Know

From ancient roots to modern recreation, yurt tents have stood the test of time. These iconic outdoor structures can really do it all. With exceptional weatherproofing qualities and unmistakable style, yurts remain one of the best tents for glamping, long-term camping, and a wide variety of other outdoor uses. Keep reading to learn about the fascinating history of yurts, and the best ways you can use one today!

History of the Yurt Tent

When you first think of a yurt, you may picture the classic cylindrical shape, draped in canvas, with a domed roof, perhaps at a music festival, or part of a luxurious glamping resort. But this design that the outdoor industry has grown to love is one that has evolved from a long history. It is deeply rooted in indigenous groups.

Yurts have actually existed for thousands of years. Various nomadic people groups across the world, and predominantly in Central Asia, have called versions of this tent home. Generally, the structure is round with collapsible walls. It’s meant to be mobile, withstand multiple seasons, conditions, and many years of use. Across cultures, yurts have always been meant to furnish, decorate, live in, and travel with. These amazing, ancient structures are still used today as fully functional, mobile living spaces and vibrant displays of cultural identities.

We encourage you to continue reading about the diverse and amazing history of yurts and their people groups. This article by Masterclass is a good place to start. The best way to appreciate a yurt tent is to understand and appreciate the rich cultures and history it represents.

Glamping and Camping in a Yurt

But here today, we are going to talk about the modern, Western recreational use of the yurt tent. This only really became popular for recreational use in the 1960s. Pulling from the rich origins of the yurt, “glamping” hit the scene as a fun way to glamour camp. That means campers trade their typically more rugged gear and minimalist tent setup for amenities, furnishings, and an extra luxurious, cozy ambiance.

Campers who are involved in longer-term outdoor adventures and recreation also love yurts for their livability. It’s a great place to make headquarters for the hunting and fishing season, and so much more!

Yurts Can Do It All!

As we’ve learned, yurts are semi-permanent structures. Their uses range from nomadic living to camping, glamping, and beyond. You may notice them renting at music festivals for an elevated experience. Or, you may seek a relaxing getaway. Glamping retreats keep them up year-round! Artists love them as outdoor studios. Good air ventilation and portability make it easy to create art in nature.

Yurts have truly become some of the most versatile outdoor structures on the market today. Consider all the ways a yurt could enhance your life. And keep reading to learn even more of the great features they have to offer!

Luxurious Canvas

Canvas is the real star of a great yurt. 100% army duck cotton canvas, to be specific. It looks, feels, and functions as the highest-quality material for outdoor structures. You could say it is the gold standard of yurt tents.

Weatherproofing

Canvas that’s been treated with weatherproofing finishes truly enhances what a yurt can do. With water, UV, mold, and mildew resistance, a yurt can do what it’s made to do even better. That is, stand strong throughout the seasons and shelter those inside. These treatments preserve the lifespan of the tent over time and use. Enjoy your yurt all year long, no matter the season! Continue to stand strong and shield the snow, rain, wind, and harsh sunlight.

Insulation

Canvas is naturally breathable and insulating. Its natural fibers allow fresh air to circulate through the material, without becoming drafty. This unique quality makes temperature regulation seamless. When it’s hot outside, the interior remains cool, and while it’s cold out, the canvas traps heat inside.

That means dwellers are in for the perfect living temperatures. In the winter, curl up for warm, cozy nights with just the right amount of airflow. On hot summer days, retreat to your yurt for a nice, cool shelter.

Durability Features

Canvas is already a pretty tough material. With all its weatherproofing, it is super resilient to the elements. Yurts with a galvanized steel framework and grounding system are doubly durable. High gusts and storms barely leave a dent in a structure that is well-supported. Those inside will feel safe and sturdy in a storm. The shock-absorption from the grounding system helps guide bursts and electrical currents down to the earth, rather than to the tent itself.

Other helpful features include double-stitched seams, waterproof zippers, and storm doors. All of these small but mighty details help create a strong, multi-season living space. So no matter what the outdoors has in store, you and the crew are safe and sound in a tent that’s going to last a very long time!

All the Best Comfort Features

So the yurt already comes with the best weatherproofing and technical features you could hope for. But there is so much more to it! A truly great camping or glamping trip just wouldn’t be complete without certain comforts. The yurt is the perfect marriage of ruggedness and luxury. With these extra comfort features, you just can’t leave them at home!

Built-in stove Jack

A built-in stove jack enables easy installation and use of a tent stove. Especially in a structure like a yurt that’s meant for longer-term dwelling. A tent stove makes all the difference. This provides a place to cook, heat water, and warm the entire tent. And nothing gives a cozy ambiance quite like a wood-burning stove.

Privacy Mesh and Window Shade

Just because you are outdoors doesn’t mean you have to give up privacy! Yurts with windows come with privacy mesh and window shades. The shades are canvas, roll-up pieces that add an extra layer of safety and coziness. The privacy mesh is ideal for any time you need fresh airflow, but don’t want to give up that sense of security. Plus, the tinted mesh is just another sneaky weatherproofing element! It blocks the sun and provides a bit of cooling. Glamping in a yurt will feel much more like home when you have the peace of mind in privacy.

Built-in Ground Sheet

Is there any better feeling than packing up your tent and putting it away spotless for the next time? We don’t think so! A built-in groundsheet to your yurt tent is the ultimate easy cleaning solution. You don’t have to worry about bringing along an extra canvas tarp that will likely trap dirt underneath itself. The built-in sheet makes it super easy to simply sweep and spot clean the yurt floor.

Let’s Talk About Design

Yurts have a very distinct design. A round body and tall walls supported by a strong framework. The interior headspace and walking room are simply unmatched in the world of tents! This provides generous room for decorating, sleeping arrangements, and so much more. 

It’s the very reason why such tents are such great long-term camping and living spaces. Here are a few of our favorite decorative ways to make a yurt feel like home!

Yurt Tent Accessories

There are some amazing ways to spruce up your yurt! Give yourself the best experience by adding a few key details, gear, and decor. The beauty of this space is that there is so much room to make it your own. With a little ambiance and creativity, you will have an outdoor space totally customized to you!

Lighting

There’s nothing like a little mood lighting for a cozy night in nature. Hang string lights, lanterns, or light the wood-burning stove. Enjoy the warm, nostalgic glow on the canvas. Yurts are also big enough to put in a lamp, if you have access to a power source. You could get really creative and even set up a little reading nook!

Rugs and Blankets

Bring rugs and blankets in for an extra cozy and stylish vibe. What’s even better is these are practical items, too! Rugs go the extra mile to make the tent floor much warmer. They add that semi-permanent feel, and are perfect for those wanting to feel more at home.

Blankets, of course, are always a good idea. Style your sleeping area with a throw blanket, and bring some extras for everyone in the crew!

Bed Setup

Yurts have so much room for sleeping arrangements. For a luxurious feel, use a bed platform to elevate your mattress. You may even have space for a little side table!

Final Thoughts

Yurts are some of the most unique and versatile tents for outdoor living. Their rich history with nomadic people groups lives on today in a resilient display of cultural identity and outdoor ingenuity.

These tents are a force to be reckoned with! They have withstood the test of time and continue to withstand the elements in all seasons. Heavy-duty weatherproofing and an iconic shape draw campers, glampers, and so many others to integrate them into their outdoorsy lives. Staying in a yurt is a truly unique experience, and one of the best ways to live closely with nature.

Happy camping!