urts are commonplace out West, but if you mention the word “yurt” in our neck of the woods you might get a quizzical eyebrow raise followed by a "whaaat?" Recently, yurts have been gaining popularity across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. The round, material-covered tent structures are popping up throughout Appalachia as vacation rentals, primary dwellings and second-home getaways. Yurts structures — circular shelters used by Turkish and Mongolian nomadic herders since the 13th century — were made of expandable lattice walls and felted coverings from sheep or yak wool. Yurt structures today are one of the latest crazes for housing — and, lucky for us, they cater to the modern lifestyle. Nearly 35 years ago, the company Pacific Yurts, in Oregon, spearheaded the modern-day yurt that we see here in the U.S. The company manufactures yurts for residential and commercial clients — and, as of lately, more so for clients who are creating “glamping” (glamorous camping) getaway destinations. The popularity of yurts out West grew in the mid-90s, fueled by Oregon State Parks installing and marketing them throughout the area. For the past three decades, yurts have been popular across the West, and now are slowly making their migration eastward. “Over the years, we have sold hundreds of yurts in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states for a variety of purposes — to families and individuals, as well as government and commercial customers,” says Pacific Yurt owner Alan Bair. “Interest in the region has been steadily increasing over the past 20 years.” “I wanted to get ahead of that wave. It’s definitely coming this way,” says Melissa Little, owner of Sky Ridge Yurts in Bryson City, N.C., who launched her vacation yurt rentals this past year and has been booked solidly since opening. “Right after my husband died, I went to Alaska and drove back home. I watched as I came down through all the state and national parks — and could see the progression [of yurts] creeping over.” Sharon Morley, of Blue Ridge Yurts in Floyd, Va., noticed the same trend. After living out West for a number of years and seeing yurts used for camping in state parks, she thought it would be great to see yurts out East. So, Sharon partnered up with longtime friend Kathy Anderson and started a yurt manufacturing company seven years ago, catering to clientele across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Now, after their seventh year of business together, they have made and sold more than 100 yurts across the region. Most of their clients order their largest yurt — the 30-footer, a 708-square-foot living space with 10-foot-tall walls — and use it as a home. Kathy and Sharon sell a yurt kit, which is just the shelter, but it can be customized with all the modern efficiencies of a home — walls, a lofted area, bathroom, kitchen, washer and dryer, central heat and air and a sprawling wooden deck. The customer is responsible for the interior — either hiring a contractor or assembling it themselves. The lure of the yurt ranges from people wanting to decrease their footprint on the earth, avoid big mortgages or simply embrace their desire to unplug from society. Listening to the pitter-patter of the rain on the vinyl roof and hearing the wind rustle against the yurt’s Buy one! walls makes you feel close to Ready to go whole hog nature while still enjoying the and buy a yurt? Check out comforts of home. these manufacturers in Think yurts are groovy, but the Southeast: don’t know if you’re ready to dive into the craze? Rent one for the weekend at a place like Sky Ridge Yurts and see how you fair. “People who want to build one come to see if they can live in it and see if they trip over each other,” Little says. “They use my place to see if it is really feasible to go into a yurt.”
Blue Ridge Yurts, Floyd, Va. blueridgeyurts.com Buffalo Mountain Yurts, Dugspur, Va. buffalomtnyurts.com Laurel Nest Yurts, N.C. laurelnestyurts.com
Get your glamp on
We’ve rounded up our top yurt getaways in the region where you can unplug and embrace nature. Shenandoah Crossing Gordonsville, Va. Situated on more than 1,000 acres of pastureland just beyond the Shenandoah Valley, rent a luxury yurt with all the comforts of home — four-post bed, flat-screen TV, kitchen and bathroom and central heat and air. One- and twobedroom yurts available. They also include a large deck with outdoor kitchen. Activities at Shenandoah Crossing include swimming, hiking, ghost tours and horse trail and carriage rides. bluegreenrentals.com
Wildwater Nantahala Outside Bryson City, N.C. Fifteen minutes outside Bryson City and on the edge of Great Smokey Mountain National Park, Wildwater’s yurt village sits on 25 acres of wilderness. Their eight 16-foot yurts sleep up to four people per yurt. They include linens, refrigerator, coffee pot in cabin with separate cooking areas, bathhouse and hot tub. Yurts have a ceramic heater and ceiling fan. Take a zipline canopy tour on Wildwater property, or sign up for a whitewater rafting adventure, scenic jeep trip or a package raft and rail or raft and jeep day trip. Cell and WiFi services are on the property, as well. wildwaterrafting.com/ nantahala
Sky Ridge Yurts Bryson City, N.C. Tucked away in the Smokies and near the Nantahala Gorge, Sky Ridge Yurts sits along a ridge with breathtaking mountain views. Sky Ridge’s yurts are the perfect vacation spot if you are looking to get away but not completely unplug. They have WiFi, flatscreen TVs and cable with
plush king- and queen-sized beds while also offering easy access to outdoor adventures — rafting and kayaking on the Nantahala, and hiking and ziplining. They offer one 30-foot yurt and two 24-foot yurts with central heat and air, kitchens and bathrooms in the yurt. skyridgeyurts.com
Wildwater Chattooga Group Yurts Long Creek, S.C. For a more campy and rugged experience, stay at Wildwater Chattooga, a 30-minute drive from Clemson, S.C., and 15 minutes outside of Clayton, Ga. Their yurts are nestled in the woods and are steps from Wildwater Chattooga Adventure Center. Wildwater’s five yurts range in size from 16 feet (sleeps four) to 30 feet (sleeps 10). Be sure to bring your own sheets, pillows, blankets, towels and cooking supplies. Bathrooms and kitchen aren’t in yurt, but are in separate common buildings. Wildwater also has an outside grill, screened-in dining room and fire pit. wildwaterrafting.com/ chayurts
Georgia State Parks Cartersville, Jackson, and Winder, Ga. Three Georgia State Parks now offer camping yurts. They feature a deck with picnic area and outdoor grill and fire ring, electricity, ceiling fans, small heater and sleep six. Bathhouses with hot showers are within walking distance. Be sure to bring sleeping bags and linens, as well as cooking supplies and a cooler. Fort Yargo State Park in Winder and High Falls State Park in Jackson each have six yurts, while Red Top Mountain State Park in Cartersville has one. gastateparks.org November-December 2012
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