Yurt Camping: 9 Important Things To Know (+3 Beginners' Tips!)

Are you too tired to go backpacking, and too bored of ordinary camping? Well, don’t you worry; for, we think it’s time you should go Glamping!

If you’ve ever fantasized about experiencing the untamed wildernesses of nature without sacrificing the comforts of your home, we’ve got just the thing for you.

In this article, we will look at a unique kind of camping, called Yurt Camping. So, let’s jump right in!

What Is Yurt Camping?

Yurt camping is a unique type of camping, often known as glamping. Glamping is an experience where stunning nature meets modern luxury. In fact, the term glamping has been formed as a combination of two words: Glamorous + Camping

Glamping, today, has grown to accommodate various kinds of unique and fun camping ways under its umbrella. Some fun ways of glamping include treehouses, tipis, lodgings, RVs, etc.

In this article, we’ll be focusing on one specific type of glamping, i.e. Yurt Camping.

What Is A Yurt?

Historically speaking, yurts were portable houses made by and for the shelter of Central Asian nomads.

Did You Know? Genghis Khan, the Mongolian raider, and his troops had made extensive use of yurts as shelters in their battlefields.

While the function and objective of a yurt have changed over time, its structure has remained fairly constant- a short cylindrical body and a rounded roof.

Structure Of A Yurt

The skeleton of the yurt is made up of lattice walls, which in turn are made by crisscrossed pieces of wood.
The roof poles are attached to a ring in the center. Their arrangement is called the Crown of the Yurt.
Layers of felt are used to insulate the Yurt from the harsh weather.

Traditional Yurts Vs Modern Yurts

Traditionally, yurts were built by nomadic tribes of Central Asia. Thus, the yurts had to be built aerodynamically- these were supposed to withstand the harsh, windy Central Asian steppes, i.e. flat grasslands with no trees.

The winds in these areas were astonishingly strong and fast, and the winters here could often be harsh. So, the yurts were covered with layers of felt- these included layers of sheep wool and goat hair- to provide insulation against the harsh wintry winds.

Added to these requirements was the characteristic quality of yurts- portability. These shelters were supposed to be lightweight and durable in order to ensure protection and mobility. Their frames were often made of wooden lattice walls and a wooden crisscrossed crown.

Modern yurts are made with a similar conceptual design, but many differences. These yurts are built to provide all-weather protection. Moreover, most modern yurts aren’t made with the intention of portability, hence these use metal frames instead of traditional wooden lattice walls.

Most yurts in the US have amenities like heating, electricity, plumbing and other things. This makes yurts a very good option for glamping.

Yurt Vs Tent

Yurt	Tent
Houses larger number of people	Houses 3 to 4 people at once
Relatively expensive	Relatively cheaper
Greater Structural Durability	Lower Structural Durability
No Mobility	Completely Mobile and Lightweight
Greater amenities	Little to no amenities
Better Weather Protection	Relatively Poor Weather Protection

These different features make yurts a suitable choice for comfortable and luxurious glamping experiences; while tents tend to suit better when the motto of the trip is adventure in the wilderness.

Yurt Camping Vs Hotel Lodging

Another interesting difference to note is between yurt and hotel lodging. An obvious question coming in your mind must be, why opt for a yurt when there are lodgings available close to nature too? Well, here’s why:

Affordability
As many glampers will report, the overall cost and expenses can reduce by as much as 50%; double the fun in half the price!
Pet-Friendly Accommodation
Worries about your furry friend keeping you from taking a vacation? Put those apprehensions aside, for, with yurt camping, you’ll find pet-friendly options at relatively less cost than hotel lodgings.
Planning an adventure with your dog, but don’t know how to go about it? Check these articles out to help get you started:
Winter Camping With Dog: Secret Tips & Hacks
Hammock Camping With A Dog: Embark On A New Journey
Connection to Nature
While a hotel lodging may be situated close to nature, a yurt gives a more raw, untamed experience within the wilderness. So, if the connection to nature is your goal, yurt camping is the one to opt for!
An overall unique experience
Nothing compares to the uniqueness of staying in a cylindrical dome in the midst of nature, away from the city rush, and yet with all the comforts of home. Yurt camping will give you memorable experiences to last forever!

Types Of Yurts

Based on materials and functions, there are 6 different styles of yurts you could opt for-

1. Mongolian Yurts

A traditional Mongolian yurt, known by the Mongols as ger, is a cylindrical tent made of wooden lattice walls and covered with animal felt for insulation.

Weather can be very extreme in the region- it gets cold even in the summer nights. Thus, insulation and rigidity against strong winds are of utmost importance.

2. Family-Sized Yurts

These are by far the most common camping yurts. If you intend on having a family trip outdoors, you’ll need to either by several tents, or one large family-sized tent. These yurts are made to house an average-sized family of four comfortably.

Whether it’s a summer vacation trip to the outdoors or a thanksgiving feast in the wilderness- your family camping trips will be much more comfortable with one of these family-sized yurts, when compared to a large tent.

3. Bell-Shaped Yurts

These are easily portable yurts with a great aesthetic appeal. If you want to have more room inside, while taking up less floor space- the bell-shaped yurt is for you.

Their unique bell-shaped look and ability to use up all the space inside efficiently make them a better alternative to traditional tents

4. Portable Yurts

While still having all the characteristic features of yurts, this particular kind is made specifically for easy portability. A portable yurt can easily be dismantled to fit in the trunk of your car.

So, if you’re looking for an experience of yurt camping without the expenses of a typical yurt camping ground, the portable yurt is just the right fit for you

5. 8-Person Yurts

This kind of yurt does not have a grand aesthetic appeal, but it is designed specifically for the purpose of convenience. If yours is the kind of group that prefers sharing a tent, then an 8-person yurt is perfect for you.

This yurt is designed to be able to use as much interior space as possible, allowing you to fit many sleeping bags within the yurt.

6. Festival Yurts

As the name suggests, the primary purpose of these yurts is to function as shelters for festivities. With the signature durability intact, these yurts have great aesthetic appeal.

In fact, in many elopement weddings, the festival yurt is increasingly becoming the go-to, when compared to other aesthetic tents.

Advantages & Disadvantages Of Yurts

Tips For Staying In A Yurt

A yurt consists of basic facilities to cook, stay warm (or cold), and sleep. So, here are a few pointers that will come in handy when you go yurt-ing:

There is no bedding provided in the yurt so remember to bring your own sleeping bag or duvet and pillow (if you want one). There are several cushions so you could use them as a temporary pillow.
The yurt has basic lighting, mainly fairy lights but there is one brighter light in the kitchen area. There are also a few tealight candles you can use too.
In general, a typical glamping yurt experience would require you bring:
- Personal toiletries
- Changes of clothes
- Warm outdoor layers like gloves, hat, and scarves
- Food for the number of days you’ll be staying
- Propane for heat and cooking
Other features in a yurt can include lounging furniture, coat hangers, benches, chairs, trash cans, broom, outdoor decks, and more. Before going glamping in a yurt, make sure to read the full list of amenities provided in your rental, so that you know what to bring on your trip!

When Can You Go Yurt Camping?

Well, given the all-weather durability of yurts, you can choose to go yurt camping all-year round. In fact, if you choose to go yurt camping in specific camping grounds, you will find a greater amount of luxurious and comfortable amenities in every season.

Yurts can withstand winds, rains and snow. So, don’t let weather discourage you from taking a glamorous trip outdoors!

While there are many yurt camping grounds in the US, here are 10 camping grounds you can consider:

Where Can You Go Yurt Camping?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do yurts have bathrooms?

Including a bathroom inside a yurt is just one of these more modern design options. Though outdoor bathrooms are still a good fit for some, many prefer to install a bathroom inside their yurt.

How long do yurts last?

The wooden framework of the yurt will last indefinitely. The fabric cover of the yurt will generally last eight to fifteen years, depending on the severity of UV rays in your climate.

Is a yurt considered a permanent structure?

The majority of the time, yurts are not considered permanent structures, rather they are a temporary structure or a tent. In most areas, yurts with foundations would be classified as a permanent structure.

Are yurts bear-proof?

Yurts are usually bear proof-they may tear through the fabric (which can be replaced) but they can’t get through the trellis wall which is very strong.

How much would a camping yurt cost?

Camping yurts range in price from $2500-$4,000, and can include a ground cloth. They function best as backyard yurts-as guest quarters or a meditation space-and for long-term camping.

How do you heat a yurt?

You can use pretty much any kind of heat that you’d use in a conventional home; however, most yurt dwellers use wood heat or propane. Another great option (though fairly permanent) is a radiant floor (where warm water circulates through pipes in the floor)

How long does it take to put up a yurt?

It may take three days to two weeks for the deck, depending on site and weather conditions, the size of the yurt, and the experience level of the builder(s).

Do I need a permit to build a yurt?

Because the International Residential Code, which is the bases for most local building codes in the United States, only requires building permits for structures with 200 sq. ft or more of floor area, most permanent yurts would not need a building permit.

Do yurts leak?

Brand new yurt covers may leak. This might seem odd as the material is proofed for water at the factory but the material has to go through a process known as “weathering in”. The leakage is, in general, hardly noticeable.

Can yurts be connected?

People who have multiple yurts often wish to connect them together or to an existing building. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this. This can be accomplished by using hallways, breezeways or a direct connection.

Final Words

With this, you have all the information you need to go from being a camper, to being a glamper.

Yurt camping gives you many options- you could go to one of the yurt camping sites to experience luxurious glamping, or you could get your own portable yurts and set out on an adventure with friends and family.

What are some ways you prefer to experience this comforting combination of wilderness and luxury? Let us know in the comments! And, for more such exciting content, stay tuned!

Happy camping (& glamping)!

Yurt Camping: 9 Important Things To Know (+3 Beginners’ Tips!)

What Is Yurt Camping?