13 Best Yurt Camping Sites for Your Next Outdoor Adventure
Updated: Mar. 14, 2024
Camping in a tent and sleeping on the ground is so last year. Stay in a yurt and sleep better, while still being close to nature.
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The advantages of yurt camping
There’s something magical about sleeping outside, in the fresh air, beneath a canopy of trees or under the sparkling night sky. But there’s also the small matter of the rough ground, the bugs, struggling to pitch an actual tent and, at times, the sticky, sweaty, hot, hot heat.
Thankfully, glamping and yurt camping exist in just about every corner of the United States—by the sea, deep in the woods and near national parks. What is glamping, you ask? The glamping, or glamorous camping, trend includes yurts that cleverly blend the primal human urge to become one with the great outdoors with the very modern desires of lying down on a plush bed, plugging in your phone and avoiding bug bites, all with a roof over your head,
When it comes to camping for beginners, yurt camping provides a comfortable and literally cool way to camp out while on vacation, with far more space to stretch out than car camping, and still be in the vicinity of “roughing it.” Plus, a photogenic yurt experience can add an intoxicating visual element to your escape into nature. Still not sure? Read on for the 13 best yurt camping sites in America.
How we chose the best yurt camping sites
Having camped in tents, cabins, treehouses and yurts ourselves, we know what makes for a truly comfortable and fun camping experience. In addition to considering location, location, location, and the available amenities inside and out of the yurts, we poured over websites, read user reviews, consulted expert recommendations and peeked at star ratings to find the best yurt camping resorts and yurt locations in the country.
What is a yurt?
Yurts may be new on your radar, but these circular domed tents have a long history, dating back hundreds of years. They were traditionally used by Mongolians and nomadic tribes and are known for their collapsible lattice framework that could be easily dismantled when it was time to move on. If you’re a fan of historical fiction or fantasy, you’ve likely seen yurt-like structures in TV or film—think of the battlefield scenes in Game of Thrones.
A yurt is not quite a tent, because yurts are sturdier, able to more easily withstand the harsh elements and typically more expansive in sheer square footage, yet not exactly a cabin in the woods either. This is because the material involved and techniques used to construct yurts are still easy to dismantle. We like to think that this is in homage to the ancient first yurts built and lived in by nomadic people. While the yurts of yesteryear were traditionally covered in skins or felt, today’s often use canvas or even wood framing.Â
Best oceanfront yurts
Treebones Resort, Big Sur, California
Built into the terraced hills in one of America’s most scenic locations, the yurts of Treebones Resort hug the California coastline and provide campers with a plush interior along with a wooden deck with cozy and colorful Adirondack chairs from which one can enjoy the evocative sound of the ocean and the fragrant scent of salt water—all in good comfort. Thanks to its Big Sur location, along one of the best California road trips, plus fine linens, soft quilts, towels, running water, reading lights and plenty of space to hang your clothes, these are our pick for the best oceanfront yurts in the country. Did we mention breakfast is included?
Pros:
- Incredible Pacific Ocean views
- King-size beds
- Adirondack chairs on each yurt’s deck
Con:
- No children under 13
Best island yurts
Doe Bay Resort and Retreat, Orcas Island, Washington
Doe Bay is positioned on three dozen acres of pristine waterfront land on the San Juan Islands in Washington state. While there are a number of different accommodation choices here, the on-grid or off-grid yurts are our pick. Neither have running water, so you’ll at least feel like you’re kind of roughing it in nature while enjoying queen beds, sitting areas and, for those staying in the on-grid yurts, heat and electricity. These pet-friendly yurts sit atop wooden platforms and offer easy access to bathrooms, soaking tubs, a sauna and the resort’s serenity garden. We love that there’s a kitchen for all guests to use, with indoor or outdoor seating, a charcoal grill for camp cooking, refrigerators, range tops and all the creature kitchen comforts of home.
Pros:
- Shared guest kitchen
- Lounge and library open 24/7, with books, games and puzzles
- Community campfires each evening
- Can arrive by private boat
- EV charging station that’s complimentary for overnight guests
Con:
- Three- to five-night peak-season minimum stays
Best for stargazing
Moenkopi Yurts, Moab, Utah
Located inside Utah’s Dead Horse Point State Park, these are the best yurts for those longing to experience an unpolluted dark sky and stargaze beneath the planets and a million twinkling stars. Thanks to a bunk bed and a pullout futon couch, each of the yurts in this Utah state park can sleep up to six, making them an affordable choice for families. An outdoor propane grill provided by the park makes cooking outside a breeze, and the heating and cooling and plentiful electrical outlets give you unexpected modernity while sleeping in nature. The bathroom and toilets are a short walk, but be aware that bedding and towels aren’t provided here.
Pros:
- Sleep up to six
- Propane grills with propane provided for free
- Heat, air conditioning and electrical outlets available in the yurts
Cons:
- Pets allowed for a $20 per animal fee (max of two) in each yurt
- No bedding provided
Best winter escape
Moose Lodge Wood Cabin Yurt, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
This four-bedroom wooden yurt blurs the lines between a luxury cabin and ancient yurt style, and the result is like having your own private ski resort for an epic wintertime escape with family or friends. There’s a personal front yard ice skating rink and fire pit, which would even tempt nomadic people to want to set down permanent roots. This 1,400-square-foot yurt has TVs, Wi-Fi, a foosball table and everything you could ever want in a camping experience, except maybe the feeling of actually camping. But with Bretton Wood Ski Resort right next door, there isn’t a better wintertime yurt experience available in America.
Pros:
- Private ice skating rink in front yard
- Two full bathrooms
- Ceiling fans, heating and air conditioning
- Shared amenities of a resort, including a pool
Con:
- Cost prohibitive for some if not shared with other families
Best national park yurt camping
Glamping Yurt Near Acadia National Park, Southwest Harbor, Maine
When it comes to national park camping in a yurt big enough to fit your whole family, your best choice is this three-bedroom, 700-square-foot yurt near the best hiking trails leading into and out of Maine’s Acadia National Park. We love that there’s a full bathroom with hot shower waiting for us after a long, fun day exploring one of the prettiest parks in the country. Kids will get a kick out of being in a loft in a yurt, and making dinner is a cinch in the big, beautiful and fully stocked kitchen.
Pros:
- Full bathroom with shower
- Kitchen and living room
- Cabin-like feel
Con:
- Not a camping community, so no shared amenities
Best yurts in Texas
El Cosmico, Marfa, Texas
El Cosmico is a glamorous, Instagram-ready, all-season yurt with a/c (and heat) in Marfa, Texas. This yurt has wood floors, a queen bed, a writing desk and a comfy sofa for chilling out while you and your family stay chilled (literally) in the cool comfort of the best yurt with air conditioning in the country. There are retro lamps and lighting, a much-needed electrical outlet for charging your phones and tablets, and there’s no need to pack your own linens and towels, because they are provided for you.
Pros:
- Full bathroom with shower
- Kitchen and living room
- Feels like a cabin, looks like a yurt
- Bath house is nearby
Con:
- With no shared amenities, there are fewer options to mingle with fellow travelers
Best remote yurts
Shearwater Cove Ecolodge and Yurts, Seward, Alaska
This wilderness resort in Alaska is only accessible by water, making it the most remote yurt camping resort (that we know of!) in the U.S. All reservations come with free roundtrip water taxi transportation to and from Seward, so it can still be part of your Alaska road trip. Each private oceanfront yurt comes with more comforts of home than you might expect in such a far-off locale, including heat, hot water, a small kitchen, bed linens, towels and biodegradable soaps, an ice chest and drinking water. There’s no free camping here, but while at one of these yurts, you have unlimited access to some of the best kayaking in America. From Shearwater Cove, you can hit the water in a provided kayak and visit Fox Island and Humpy Cove on protected waters and be surrounded by stunning Alaskan wildlife amid eye-popping scenery that will make for memorable photos.
Pros:
- Remote oceanfront yurts
- Heat, hot water for showers and a kitchenette in each yurt
- Unlimited access to kayaks
- Free roundtrip water taxi boat transportation to and from the mainland
Con:
- Must plan ahead with food and supplies
Best luxury
The Agave at The Reserve at Greenleaf, Bastrop, Texas
This secluded Texas yurt, located about 30 miles outside of Austin, can feel like the height of luxury after a long day of hiking, canoeing, fishing and other camping activities. We love the elegance waiting for guests inside the en suite bathroom with walk-in rainfall shower and 14-foot soothing hot tub, which feels extra luxurious after exploring some of the hiking trails that cut through the 200-plus-acre conservation property. The presence of USB ports bedside also shows that you are so far from roughing it here. Plus, each has a fan and also full air conditioning available to keep the 450-square-foot yurt cool even in the peak of a southern summer day.
Pros:
- Bedside USB ports to charge phones overnight
- Rainfall shower
- Luxurious robes
- Coffee and tea station with electric kettle
Con:
- Use of pool and hot tub costs extra
Best for Star Wars fans
Utah State Park Sandstone Yurts, Green River, Utah
The name Goblin Valley State Park comes from the “goblins” or “hoodoo” sandstone rock formations formed here from millions of years of erosion, and they provide a stunning backdrop to your glamping adventure. There are two furnished yurts in the park, each set against the layered rock formations and looking out over an otherworldly landscape that will make Star Wars fans think they’re neighbors with Luke Skywalker on Tatooine. The spartan interiors evoke a true camping experience, with wooden bunk beds and a small table and chairs, wood-burning stove and not much else. Though this yurt camping feels remote, it’s in the relative safety of a beautiful state park. When you’re not in your Utah yurt, you will be exploring plenty of hiking trails that are just outside your deck or riding on the ATV trails found immediately outside the park.
Pros:
- Memorable setting
- Old-fashioned yurt camping experience
- Two pets allowed with a $20 per animal fee
Con:
- Solar panels produce limited electricity
Best dog-friendly
Snow Mountain Ranch Yurts, Granby, Colorado
If you want to go yurt camping with your dog, Snow Mountain Ranch Yurts in Colorado are your best bet. These two yurt villages have panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and include over 300 miles of snowshoe and hiking trails dedicated to doggies! With a queen bed and two bunk beds, each yurt can sleep up to six, plus your fur babies. Have a bigger crew? You can pitch a tent on the yurtsite to accommodate two additional people.
Pros:
- Three-acre dog park
- Twice-weekly hangouts with sled-team husky dogs
- Bed linens provided in season (May to October)
Con:
- $25 fee per pet, per night
Best for thrill seekers
Bell Lake Yurt, Bozeman, Montana
This yurt in Bozeman, Montana, is a whopping 8,500 feet above sea level! The summit of Branham Peak is located outside the front door of this yurt that can accommodate up to eight guests. Not for the everyday traveler looking for a ski vacation, the Bell Lake Yurt is for true winter explorers. You need to have the experience and the certifications for the journey that will take you and your traveling party deep into the backcountry, because motorized vehicles simply cannot reach this yurt, but it is ideal if you’re seeking real adventure. You’ll probably see and encounter a lot of wildlife in nature while at this yurt, so make sure you know what to do if you see a bear! Thankfully, yurts are generally safe from bears thanks to sturdy materials and sound building techniques passed down from ancient times.
Pros:
- A wood stove and well-insulated walls hold in heat on even the coldest of days
- Beds for eight people
- Solar-powered LED light system
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Guided backcountry tours available
Cons:
- No vehicle access
- Must have experience and certifications to reach and stay at the Bell Lake Yurt
Best for romantics
Lofthaven, Spicewood, Texas
This treehouse yurt built around the trunk of an ancient cypress is truly the stuff fairy-tale dreams are made of, and it’s perfect for a romantic getaway. A 40-foot suspension bridge leads you and your partner into this stunning 350-square-foot yurt high among the cypress treetops and to a private 700-square-foot bathhouse, where you can soak together in a heated waterfall tub. There’s also a kitchenette to prepare a romantic meal or just heat up some tea to have in the morning, as the light peaks between the trees.
Pros:
- Private bathhouse
- Luxurious bedroom with a fairy-tale overhead canopy
- Peaceful and quiet
- Ziplining on site
Cons:
- No hiking trails or opportunity to explore the area below
- No air conditioning
Best for special events
Natahala Yurts at Falling Waters Resort, Bryson City, North Carolina
If you’re in the market for a unique destination wedding, family reunion or other special event, the Natahala yurts on a lake at the Falling Waters Resort in North Carolina is the perfect site. The entire resort, including the yurt village and group lodge, is included in the price for the venue, making it your dream one-stop shop. This quiet location overlooking Fontana Lake has space for up to 60 guests, and a special area for the rehearsal dinner, reception and ceremony. The yurts themselves have domed skylights and private decks, queen-size beds plus a futon for the kids, a space heater should it get chilly, tongue-and-groove pine wood floors, and a small fridge and coffee maker. Like most yurts, there is no bathroom inside or attached. Instead, you have a short stroll to the tiled and wallpapered bathhouse where you will find private and lockable stall showers, each with a vanity and a toilet.
Pros:
- Only $99.95 per night
- Bedding and towels provided
- Laundry machines on site
Cons:
- No smoking
- No pets allowed
Originally Published: March 14, 2024
