What Is A Yurt? Everything To Know About Camping Or Living In A Yurt

Those looking to escape civilization for a few days typically find solace in a quiet, natural setting miles away from the hustle and bustle of their day-to-day lives. While cabins, RVs and tents are well-known options for people retreating to a simpler life, yurts have become a popular new dwelling option that offers a middle ground between resort-like cabins in the woods and basic camping tents.

What Is A Yurt?

A yurt is a tent-like style of house once used by ancient nomadic tribes in Central Asia, particularly Mongolia. A yurt is typically a circle-shaped dome tent made of skins over a collapsible framework. Most are traditionally built with a circular structure and single-room layout that can accommodate many people.

Inside a yurt, you’ll see the structure’s skeleton, with lattice walls (made from crisscrossed pieces of wood) and roof poles attached to a ring in the center, known as the crown. To circulate air inside the yurt, the crown typically remains partially open.

A traditional yurt, used as a home, will contain what a normal living space would – beds, seating, a table and a coal- or wood-burning stove for heating and cooking set up in the middle. Yurts used for short-term stays may be set up in a similar way, with the wood-burning stove moved to the side and only used for heating and aesthetics.

When you step inside a yurt, you see the structure’s skeleton. Lattice walls, made from crisscrossed pieces of wood, and roof poles attach to a ring in the center, known as the crown. The crown typically remains partially open to circulate air inside the yurt.

Traditional yurts used as homes have what you’d find in standard living spaces: beds, seating, a table and a coal- or wood-burning stove for heating and cooking set up in the center. Yurts used for short-term stays may be set up similarly, with the wood-burning stove moved to the side, only used for heating and aesthetics.

History Of The Yurt

Yurts have been used for as long as three millennia. They were originally used by people throughout the Eurasian Steppe, the largest temperate grassland in the world spanning from Hungary to China. Different cultures throughout the region have different names for a yurt, including the Russian “yurta.” Many people in Mongolia today continue to live in yurts.

A man named William Coperthwaite introduced yurts to the United States in the 1960s after reading about them in National Geographic. Today, there are yurt manufacturers throughout North America.

Traditional Vs. Modern Yurts

The yurt has been a popular home design in Central Asia for thousands of years and has experienced a recent surge in popularity thanks to the glamping industry. To truly appreciate these structures, you need to understand how traditional yurt houses have been reimagined for Western cultures.

Here are the main differences between traditional yurt homes and modern yurts.

Traditional Yurts

Yurts were the traditional dwelling for Mongolian nomadic tribes, as well as surrounding areas on the Central Asian steppe – a flat grassland area with no trees. Steppes usually have an extreme temperature range and often experience high winds in the spring. Known as a “ger” in Mongolian, the yurt was built to be resilient against the high winds on the steppe.

Layers of felt, typically made from sheep wool and yak hair, covered the exterior of the yurt to help insulate the structure from harsh winter weather. Because nomads in this area moved several times a year, the yurt was made to be easily assembled, dismantled and transported. Traditional yurts are still the popular housing option in Mongolia today and a huge part of the cultural identity in Central Asia.

Yurts were traditional dwellings for nomadic tribes in Mongolia and surrounding areas across the Central Asian steppe – a flat grassland area with no trees. Steppes usually experience extreme temperature ranges, often experiencing high winds in the spring. Known as a “ger” in Mongolian, the yurt was built to withstand the high winds on the steppe.

Layers of felt, typically made from sheep wool and yak hair, cover the exterior of the yurt to help insulate it from harsh winter weather. Because nomads moved several times a year, the yurt was designed to be easily dismantled, transported and reassembled. Traditional yurts are still a popular housing option in Mongolia today and remain a huge part of the cultural identity in Central Asia.

Modern Yurts

Yurts have gained popularity in the Western Hemisphere – especially at North American campgrounds and ski resorts. While the general structure and design have remained the same, some characteristics popular in traditional yurts have changed. Modern yurts aren’t built for mobility. They’re often permanently attached to a wooden platform. Many modern yurts have a metal frame instead of a traditional wood frame to secure it to the foundation. And the felt coverings have been traded in for high-tech fabrics.

Most yurts in the U.S. have heating, electricity and plumbing, and feature amenities like windows and a skylight in the central ring. Modern yurts in the West are more popular as lodging options for vacations, glamping weekends, tourism and tiny home living.

How Is A Yurt Different From A Tent?

Because of its design, materials and transportability, a yurt is often compared to or put in the same category as a tent. While they share some similarities, a yurt is more structurally sound than a standard tent. A yurt is supported by its lattice wall and rafters fortified by a compression ring in the center of the roof. A tent relies on the tension between poles for its structure and gets anchored to the ground with stakes.

A modern yurt is also outfitted with dedicated windows and door frames, while a tent typically has windows and doors that are part of the tent and zip open and close.

Yurts have gained popularity in the Western Hemisphere – especially at North American campgrounds and ski resorts. While the general structure and design have remained the same, some characteristics popular in traditional yurts have changed. Modern yurts aren’t built for mobility. They’re often permanently attached to a wooden platform. Many modern yurts have a metal frame instead of a traditional wood frame to secure it to the foundation. And the felt coverings have been traded in for high-tech fabrics.

Most yurts in the U.S. have heating, electricity and plumbing, and feature amenities like windows and a skylight in the central ring. Modern yurts in the West are more popular as lodging options for vacations, glamping weekends, tourism and tiny home living.

How Is A Yurt Constructed?

Building a yurt is very different from building a traditional home. A yurt is designed for nomadic living. It’s built for portability and easy assembly and reassembly. Yurts are typically made from easy-to-transport materials that allow for customization, whether you’re building from scratch or a DIY kit. Depending on its size, assembling a yurt can require the help of up to five people.

Modern yurts are often built on top of a raised permanent platform, offering better protection from the wet ground. The modern version you typically find in the U.S. is usually constructed with metal and covered in durable, waterproof canvas.

Insulation within yurt walls is optional and can provide a more comfortable temperature year-round, which is especially valuable for anyone who wants to live in a yurt full-time. Windows are included. Modern yurts can feature curved glass or clear acrylic windows. Multiple rafters are inserted into a center ring capped off with a clear dome to create the roof.

Why Are Yurts Popular For Camping?

Thanks to their spacious layouts and amenities, yurt camping is growing in popularity in the U.S. glamping scene. While tents are typically designed with camping and portability in mind, yurts are also supposed to be a touch of luxury in nature.

Yurts have much more space than tents. They can accommodate up to 15 people and fit beds, kitchen appliances and bathrooms. You can set up your yurt to camp, but many locations throughout the U.S. provide rental yurts for camping.

Living In A Yurt House Full-Time

While yurts are a trendy dwelling option for camping and getaways, they’re also an option for permanent use in North America. People interested in tiny homes may enjoy the yurt’s layout, which provides ample space. A yurt can work well as a second home, a guest house or a studio on your primary property. However you decide to use a yurt, they all allow nearly infinite opportunities for personalization and experimentation with different home decor styles.

A critical consideration when building a yurt to live in is to ensure the construction materials are appropriate for the climate in your area. Once you’ve determined what you need, you can customize your yurt, including installing an air conditioner or fireplace or adding a wood-burning stove.

Where Can You Find Yurt Homes For Sale Or Rent?

You can purchase a yurt like any property you plan to live in. However, you may not find many yurts for sale on the multiple listing service (MLS) or other listing sites – especially if you’re mostly interested in living in urban areas.

When buying a yurt to use as your permanent or primary residence, it may be helpful to find a real estate agent who specializes in these properties or knows the area well. If you want to build a yurt, you can hire a builder or purchase a kit.

You can buy portable camping yurts online or in stores that specialize in the outdoors. However, the yurt designs may vary significantly from the standard layout.

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway abode or interested in testing out a yurt before you build or buy one, make a reservation at a local campground or check out listings on Airbnb.

FAQs On Yurt Homes

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about yurt homes and living in them.

How is a yurt different from other structures?

Unlike a traditional house or a cabin, yurts are circular and covered in fabric on the outside. They usually feature a single room on one floor – though modern yurts may have multiple rooms. Yurts are a popular option for anyone who wants to live in a unique house or practice a year-round minimalist lifestyle.

Yurt homes are also better for the environment than campers and RVs – other popular options for minimalist, unique or mobile lifestyles.

How much does a yurt cost?

Building a yurt home can cost between $11,500 – $75,000. On average, it costs about $35,000 to build a yurt. The total cost will depend on the materials and features you choose, the size of the yurt and whether you hire a professional for its construction. The yurt’s total price will include the base platform, interior finishings and the yurt’s structure. Add-ons such as heating and cooling, a kitchen and an exterior deck will increase your costs.

How many years will a yurt last?

Yurt homes typically last 13 years before they require upgrading. Owners usually replace home components, such as the dome, and improve the outer shell or sidewalls at around 14 – 20 years. How long a yurt lasts will depend on how well it’s maintained, the location and climate changes, including the amount of UV exposure.

The Bottom Line: Yurt Homes Offer Modern Outdoor Living Comfort In Any Season

Yurts were originally traditional structures used to house nomadic people across Mongolia. In recent decades, yurts have evolved and modernized to meet contemporary needs. In North America, yurts are popular for camping, but in some places, you can use them for full-time living.

If you’re interested in a yurt or another alternative housing option, match with a Verified Partner Agent today.