Yurt Camping: What It Is, Pros and Cons, and Tips for a Cozy Stay

A camping yurt sits somewhere between a tent and a cabin. You get solid shelter, a real floor and often a bed frame, without giving up the feel of sleeping close to nature. Yurts are especially popular for fall and winter trips, when a regular tent can feel cold and cramped. Here’s what yurt camping is like and how to decide whether it’s right for your next trip.

What is a camping yurt?

A yurt is a round shelter with a lattice wall frame, roof rafters that meet at a central ring, and a fabric or felt cover. The design comes from the traditional portable homes of Central Asian herders, such as the Mongolian ger. Modern camping yurts usually stand on a raised wooden platform with a door, windows and a clear dome at the top that lets in light.

Many state parks, national forest areas and private campgrounds rent yurts, and some backcountry yurts serve skiers and snowshoers in winter.

Yurt vs. tent vs. cabin

Compared with a tent

• More space: Most yurts let you stand up and move around comfortably.
• Better weather protection: A platform floor and sturdy walls handle rain and wind better than most tents.
• No setup: Just arrive, unpack and settle in.
• Less flexibility: You’re tied to a fixed site and usually need a reservation well in advance.

Compared with a cabin

• Yurts usually feel more like camping, with fabric walls and the sounds of the outdoors.
• Amenities are often simpler. Many yurts have no running water or bathroom inside.
• They can be noisier in wind and rain, which some campers love and others don’t.

What’s usually included?

Amenities vary widely, so always read the listing carefully. Common features include:

• Bunk beds or bed frames with mattresses, but not bedding
• A table and chairs, sometimes a small couch or futon
• Electric lights and outlets, or none at all in rustic and backcountry yurts
• A heater or wood stove in some yurts, especially those open in winter
• An outdoor picnic table, fire ring and nearby restrooms or a vault toilet

Things to check before booking: heat source, electricity, whether pets are allowed, how far you park from the yurt and whether cooking is allowed inside (often it isn’t).

What to pack for a yurt stay

• Sleeping bags or bedding and pillows
• A headlamp and a lantern, in case there’s no electricity
• Camp kitchen gear for cooking outside
• Slippers or camp booties for the wooden floor
• A towel and toiletries for the bathhouse
• Extra layers. Yurts warm up fast with a heater, but cool down quickly when it’s off
• Firewood bought locally, if the site has a fire ring

Tips for winter yurt camping

• Ask about the heat source. Electric heaters and wood stoves are common, but follow the posted rules for each.
• Bring a warm sleeping bag anyway. Heat can drop overnight, especially if you don’t feed a stove.
• Keep vents clear and never bring fuel-burning camp heaters or stoves inside unless the yurt is designed for them. Our guide to choosing a camping heater explains the safety basics.
• Check access. Winter yurts may require a hike, ski or snowshoe trip from the parking area.

Yurt etiquette

Treat a yurt like a shared cabin: no nails or tape on the walls, clean up before you leave, leave the stove and floor the way you found them, and follow quiet hours. If you like the idea of solid walls and a bit more comfort, also look at our guide to camping cabins.

Who yurt camping suits best

Yurts are a good fit for several kinds of campers:

• Families with young children, who benefit from a dry floor, real beds and room to play on a rainy afternoon.
• First-time campers who want to try camping without buying a full set of gear.
• Groups of friends, since many yurts sleep four to six people.
• Off-season campers who want to enjoy fall color or a snowy forest without a cold night in a tent.

They are less suited to campers who want solitude in remote places, or who like to decide where to stay at the last minute.

FAQ

Is yurt camping good for beginners?

Yes. It removes the hardest parts of tent camping, setup and weather, while keeping the outdoor experience.

Are yurts warm in winter?

Yurts with a heater or wood stove can be cozy, but temperatures can drop at night, so bring a sleeping bag suited to the season.

Do you need to bring bedding to a yurt?

Usually yes. Most camping yurts supply mattresses but not sheets, blankets or pillows.

Top image: “Yurt 0117” by Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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