What is Yurt Camping?
We hope that if you’ve ever seen something that combines a tent and a cabin while traveling around the United States, you would have been equally captivated at Yurt camping. These shelters also referred to as yurts, have a long and prosperous history.
We’re here to find out what yurt camping is in reality and how people are still embracing it because there is so much to learn about it. Enter the fray!
Table of Contents
What is a Yurt?
A yurt can be thought of as a traditional shelter that originated in Central Asia. If you look closely at its structure, you’ll notice that it has a dome-like design that somewhat resembles a tent. It does, however, have a cabin’s strength. People often build yurts out of timber frames that are covered in layers of wool, among other materials.
Modern yurts are simpler to put together and may be dismantled in a couple of hours. The majority of luxury huts are usually immovable, while this is only true for portable huts. Today, the majority of people think of yurts as luxurious camping accommodations.
How is a Yurt Made?
We’ve given you a brief description of what a yurt looks like and is composed of in the section above. The yurt’s frame is made up of several flexible poles that form the lattice walls. In addition to the poles, the walls are constructed using felt or fabric.
You can always choose any flexible wood in a criss-cross or vertical design when considering the wooden frame. You can choose any cloth for the cover. With the structure from canvas to felting wool, they may all lean properly.
Although it’s reasonable to believe that contemporary yurts have changed significantly from those from the prehistoric era, both their luxury and comfort stayed the same.
The Background of Yurts
One of the well-known constructions from prehistoric societies is the yurt. They are among the earliest shelters that have survived until the present day. The first documented representation of the yurt is found on a bronze dish found in Iran’s Zagros Mountains around 600 BCE.
However, Buryat Mongolians from Siberia used to assert that this remarkable construction originated on their territory. Herodotus, a well-known Greek historian, said in his writing that yurts came from the Scythian society around 440 BCE, which provided more confirmation.
The leader of Mongolia, Genghis Khan, was also instrumental in the development of the yurt culture. He issued an order to the entire Mongolian empire to spread the yurt culture throughout his recently annexed territories, including what is now known as countries like Hungary, Turkey, and Romania.
While Hungary still uses yurts today, they were one of the most common forms of shelter in Turkey until the 1960s. Moving forward, William Copperwaite was the first to introduce yurts to the United States. In 1968, he initially constructed the building on the Harvard campus.
Then, in 1978, Pacific Yurts became the first business to commercially release yurts in North America, where they were designed for camping.
How are Yurts Used Today?
The National Geographic channel recently revealed an intriguing finding: over half of Mongolians still live in yurts today. Additionally, nearly every resident of the rural area of Ulaanbaatar, which is home to 61% of the country’s population, relies on this shelter today.
While yurt users in Ulaanbataar and comparable cities construct strict boundaries with tall fences between the yurts and the structural zones, they lead considerably more simple lives than city dwellers. In these areas, it is also common for families to share yurts.
The situation in Central Asia and the US, however, is entirely different at the moment. Yurt buildings are mostly employed in Central Asia to build museums, cafes, and other cultural centers.
Many yurts still feature traditional ornamental features that feature cultural emblems, holy practices, mythical creatures, and geometric patterns since yurts have a culturally significant place in Asian history.
Yurts are primarily used for leisure or camping in the United States. Additionally, since the popularity of tiny homes is growing rapidly right now, yurts are also being converted into tiny homes! Yurts are also popular since they give more freedom than apartment ownership and are significantly less expensive to live in than conventional residences.
Where Is a Good Place to Go Yurt Camping?
Yurt camping needs a particular location to be as enjoyable as possible. Numerous yurt camping locations can be found throughout North America, including Mexico and Canada. However, the following information is more regionally specific for the US:
- Nickerson State Park in Massachusetts,
- Beverly Beach State Park in Oregon, and
- Limber Flag Yurt in Utah
When Is Yurt Camping Possible?
In addition to the setting, there are other factors to consider, such as the best time to go yurt camping. Additionally, it depends on the area in which you are now living. You may, of course, go yurt camping any time of year. Modern movable yurts can survive any uncertain weather situation because they are lightweight and made of high-quality materials.
In addition to their high quality, they come with the best insulation available. By using the product, you can be confident that you and your family will stay warm during the chilly outdoor weather. Additionally, many of the most recent yurt versions come with wide windows. Therefore, you may always stare at the stars at night and flood the inside with light throughout the day.
Advice for Visiting a Yurt
If you’re ready to embark on your first yurt camping excursion, there are a few things you should think about bringing with you before setting off. These will help you avoid unforeseen problems and guarantee that you enjoy them to the fullest. Following that, below are some recommendations you should think about before yurt camping.
- Pack several layers of clothing
- Always keep the door of your lantern closed and carry a fire starter
- Before settling in the yurt, ensure to spray it with insecticide.
Conclusion
It goes without saying if you’ve made it this far that, yurts are entertaining to learn about, in addition to being fun to live in. Yurts may successfully convey the spirit of the beauty of leading a simple life because of the profound history ingrained in their design.
Additionally, yurt camping has become very well-liked among people all around the world. So why are you still waiting? Get ready to head to the yurt camp loaded with excitement!
You can also check: RV vs. Tent Camping – Find Out Which One Works Best for You
Meet Sarah, a passionate traveler and camping enthusiast who loves to explore the great outdoors. With years of exploring, she has become an expert in testing and reviewing the best tents on the market which got her to start mytravelingtents.com. Her insightful reviews provide valuable information to fellow adventurers looking for the perfect tent for their next camping trip.