Yurt Camping: Combining Comfort with a Rustic Vibe

Yurt camping is a unique way to experience the outdoors, offering modern comforts while immersing you in the beauty of nature. While they seem like a modern twist on glamping, they actually have a long history where people have been enjoying their robust benefits for centuries.

Whether booking a campsite at a private campground or many of the national and state parks around the country, you may have noticed the option to reserve a yurt. But what exactly is yurt camping and how does a yurt tent differ from other tents? Read on to learn everything you need to know about yurts, from who they’re good for to where to go yurt camping in the U.S. Plus, discover the best accessories to enhance your yurt tent!

What Is a Yurt

With origins in Central Asia, yurts have a rich history and are known to be one of the oldest shelters in the world. The earliest indication of their use dates back to 600 BCE in the Mountains of Iran, though they’re often associated with the nomadic tribes of Mongolia. Thanks to their functionality and comfort, these shelters have managed to live on into the modern age. In some parts of the world, like Turkey and Hungary, yurts are still used as permanent home structures. In the West, you’ll find yurts are more commonly used for recreational purposes, serving as a comfortable camping shelter. 

Camping yurts come in two main variations. The first is the more traditional of the two and is typically built with a lattice wood frame in a circular shape that’s covered in a strong fabric like canvas. The best way to describe the traditional yurt is as a mix between a cabin and a glamping tent. These usually come with amenities common to cabins, like electricity, air conditioning, and heating, and benefit from the structure of their wood frames. Because of this structure, they’re better suited for long-term use. Like glamping tents, their fabric walls allow for breathability and give yurts the rustic feel many campers are after. 

The second variation is the yurt tent. The yurt tent is a type of glamping tent that resembles traditional yurts thanks to their circular style and canvas fabrication. The main difference is that yurt tents are just that – tents. They’re non-permanent shelters you can pitch, making them lighter in weight and easier to transport. Because it’s a tent, this style doesn’t have the same lattice wood framing, instead getting its structure from heavy-duty aluminum poles and guy lines for stability. 

Both traditional yurts and yurt tents boast plenty of room for comfortable furniture and cozy camping decor, making them perfect for travelers looking for comfort while soaking in the scenes of nature.

Yurt Tents vs Other Tent Styles

With so many different tents for sale on the market, it can be hard to decipher which tent is best for you and your camping needs. While a yurt tent shares many favorable characteristics with other popular tent styles, like the hunting tent and cabin tent, they differ in a few key ways. Namely, ease of setup. Compared to other heavy-duty tents on the market, yurt tents are relatively straightforward to pitch. This ease of use and efficiency make them ideal for glampers on the go.   

Besides their obvious comfort and functionality, one of the main draws of yurt tents that other styles lack is aesthetic appeal. When you imagine a classic campsite, you’re probably envisioning camp chairs placed around a wood-burning fire in front of a large, circular tent. The iconic circular shape of a yurt gives campers ample room to set up furniture and other glamping luxuries. 

Who Yurt Camping Is Good For

Yurt camping is perfect for outdoor lovers who want to immerse themselves in nature without sacrificing everyday comforts. If you prefer to spend a little extra money to sleep in a bed instead of a sleeping bag, yurt camping will be right up your alley.

Yurt camping also requires much less work. At many campgrounds, traditional yurts and yurt tents will already be set up for guests. This makes them convenient shelters for campers looking to spend less time setting up camp and more time exploring. 

Compared to other styles of camping, yurt camping shelters also tend to hold more campers, with some accommodating up to 15 people at once. Families and large groups benefit from the spaciousness these shelters provide. 

At the end of the day, whether or not yurt camping is for you comes down to your personal preferences. If you prefer comfort, convenience, and spaciousness, yurt camping could be the perfect option. On the flip side, if you desire a more affordable, accessible, and hands-on experience, traditional tent camping may be a better fit. Assessing your own needs and wants in these regards is essential in making the right choice.

Best Yurt Camping in the U.S.

At this point, you should have a better idea about what yurt camping is, what it entails, and if it’s the right style of camping for you. If you’ve landed on “yes, take me yurt camping!” (we don’t blame you) check out these 5 awesome yurt camping destinations across the United States.

In the Midwest: S’more Fun Campground in Wisconsin

Stay at the foot of Old Taylor Lake in a traditional yurt-style tent at S’more Fun Campground. Complete with a pool, playground, convenience store, and game room, this is the ultimate family-friendly yurt retreat in the Midwest. 

In the Northeast: Northeast Whitewater in Maine

Fully furnished and equipped with electricity, enjoy the northeastern nature in luxury at one of Northeast Whitewater’s glamping tents. Thanks to its awesome location around Moosehead Lake, you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from in the great outdoors.

In the Southeast: Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia

Southern glampers rejoice! A handful of Georgia State Parks offer yurt camping at their public campgrounds. Check out Cloudland Canyon State Park to book a private yurt in the oasis of Georgia’s wilderness all year round. 

In the Southwest: Glamping Canyonlands in Southern Utah

Just a short drive from the iconic landscapes of Canyonlands National Park, Glamping Canyonlands offers a unique retreat in the desert. Glamp on your own time or join one of the many retreats hosted on this tranquil property in Southern Utah.

In the Pacific Northwest: Bullards Beach State Park in Oregon

Get the best of both worlds with cozy yurt tents nestled in the pines of the Pacific Northwest within walking distance of the beach. Plus, visit the historic Coquille River Lighthouse the state park is known for.

Accessories To Enhance Your Yurt Tent

If you’ve opted to invest in your own yurt tent instead of camping at a pre-built site, there are a few accessories you may want to consider adding to your packing list to enhance your experience. Like any other tent, you’ll need high-quality canvas tarps to protect your tent floor and rain flies to protect your tent roof. Unlike the rest of the accessories on this list, these are non-negotiables if you care about the comfort of your stay and the longevity of your tent. 

Optional add-ons to your tent include awning and porch extensions. These create a covered space where you can hang out outside of your tent while staying sheltered from the elements. For winter campers, tent stoves are a nice addition to add warmth and a place to cook your meals indoors. Plus, they add a touch of ambiance that enhances the coziness of your yurt.

Final Thoughts

Nothing combines modern comforts with a rustic vibe quite like yurt camping. Whether you choose to stay in a traditional yurt shelter or opt to pitch a yurt tent, you’ll enjoy an outdoor abode that’s convenient, spacious, and comfortable. With all of their benefits, it’s no wonder yurts have transcended through the centuries, from their start in ancient Asia to their modern usage at glampsites around the globe. Thanks to its versatility, yurt glamping is a fantastic option for any camper looking for an escape into the outdoors. So pack your camping gear and head off to one of the many beautiful yurt destinations across the US!