For a unique lodging experience or romantic getaway try spending the night in a yurt. If you are getting tired of staying in expensive hotels for a weekend escape, romantic getaway, or just an excuse to get away from home, then you need to rent or book a stay one of these unique and unusual lodging options. Stay in a yurt (a Mongolian style tent) for an amazing new experience. Staying in this type of lodging is also known as “Glamping” or glorious camping – no tent to set up and you’ll typically have a comfy bed, AC, electricity, and other nice creature comforts and still enjoy the great outdoors and nature.

What Is the Purpose of a Yurt?

The primary purpose of a yurt is to provide a portable, durable, and weather-resistant shelter. nomadic tribes in Central Asia traditionally used yurts. The nomads designed yurts to set up, dismantle, and transport easily. Their circular shape and sturdy framework make them crucial for
standing firm in harsh climates, such as strong winds or heavy snowfall. Yurts offer a spacious and functional interior for living, cooking, and sleeping.

Here are 9 actual yurts you can rent in Texas…


Rainbow Hearth Sanctuary & Retreat Center

Lake Buchanan, Texas

Inside a tree house yurt  at Rainbow Hearth

Rainbow Hearth Sanctuary & Retreat is a unique combination of a B&B, a Spa, and retreat to nature. And they offer some cool and unusual lodging including a tree house yurt with AC, a king size sleep number bed, and a wrap around deck with stunning views. Read about our stay at Rainbow Hearth to learn more about why we love this place.


Paradise Cove

Grapevine, Texas

Paradise Cove

Experience a new adventure of lakefront glamping – luxury camping – right here in the heart of the DFW Metroplex. Tucked away on a private peninsula on Lake Grapevine, you can experience the best of glamping with the glamour of a luxury hideaway. 

This Paradise Cove luxurious Yurt has 

  • AC/Heat; 
  • private bathroom with shower, towels, and soap; 
  • fully  
  • full size sofa sleeper with linens, blankets and pillows; 
  • two twin cots with sleeping bags and pillows; 
  • mini refrigerator with freezer; 
  • two large coolers; 
  • dining table; 
  • variety of games like monopoly, dominoes, corn hole, and more. 

Plus, you are on the shore of Lake Grapevine and can enjoy fishing, swimming, kayaking, or boating, and there is a private fire pit right by the lake.


The Cedars Ranch

Wimberley, Texas

Cedar Ranch Yurt for rent

Nestled among 20 acres of secluded live oak and cedar trees in the heart of Texas Hill Country, the Luxury Eco Yurt at The Cedars Ranch is the ideal retreat for couples, small families, or individuals seeking a country getaway with a difference. The family-sized yurt sleeps 4 and offers a unique ‘glamping’ (glamorous camping) experience with AC, beautiful kitchen and dining space, full bath with luxurious slipper tub, gorgeous private bedroom with king-size bed, restful library area and living space with comfortable sofa bed, and wrap around deck with bar. This Yurt is close to Jacob’s Well, the charming Hill Country town of Wimberley, and all the Texas Hill Country has to offer.


Yurtopia

Wimberley, Texas

Yurt at Yurtopia

The Yurtopian focuses on providing a glamping escape to the Texas Hill Country in Dripping Springs. This retreat’s collection of dog-friendly, secluded, and romantic yurts lies just a few miles outside the Texas Hill Country town of Dripping Springs about 30 minutes west of Austin. 

On 46 acres, The Yurtopian offers authentic Mongolian Yurts with luxurious king-size beds, an indoor seating and desk areas, and outdoor decks with all the amenities for an amazing getaway, including hot tubs, fire pits, covered kitchenettes, outdoor showers, and serenity.


Abilene State Park

Tuscola, Texas

Abilene State Park Yurt

A yurt at Abilene State Park sits under cottonwood, elm, pecan, and red oak trees close to the banks of Elm Creek just south of Abilene. These year-round recreational tents have a double/single bunk bed with mattresses, fold out sofa, a microwave, and a night stand. Outside amenities include a fire ring, picnic table, and water spigot. This park offers six 5-person yurts and one 8-person yurt. 


Pine Gardens RV Park

Tool, Texas (Cedar Creek Lake)

Yurt at Pine Gardens

Pine Gardens is a 20-acre RV resort that sits on the west side of Cedar Creek Lake. Their yurts are more like dressed up tents. These yurts provide two bunk bed sets, two chairs, electricity, a fan, a heater, a boat ramp, and a pool, but no bath, radio, or TV. 


Camp Coyoacan

Port Aransas, Texas

Camp Coyoacan Yurt

Camp Coyoacan, just a few blocks from the beach, is home to tent bungalows and yurts plus a pool, bath house with indoor showers and toilets, several outdoor showers, outdoor community areas with fire pits and Adirondack chairs, and a big open-air deck with expansive ocean views.

Each yurt has a queen sized bed, desk and chairs, air conditioning, electricity, and a personal deck plus each yurt includes: pillows, linens, electrical outlets, and bath and pool towels.


Lucky Arrow Retreat

Dripping Springs, Texas

Yurt at Lucky Arrow Retreat

Located on the outskirts of Dripping Springs on 15 acres of beautiful Texas Hill Country, Lucky Arrow Retreat is home to 10 yurts, cabins, and a ranch house. Some of the amenities include: a covered beer garden (BYOB), a heated pool, and tours in a vintage Land Cruiser Troop Carrier.

Each of the 200 square foot yurts has a queen bed, heating and air conditioning, a keyed entry door, coffee maker and coffee, and a deck. A common Bath House is just around the corner from the yurts.


Green Acres

Elgin, Texas

Green Acres Yurt

Known as Austin’s original glamping location, Green Acres provides a premier glamping retreat, just 25 minutes from Austin. It offers overnight stays in either a yurt or retrofitted trailer on their 25-acre guest property. This property offers a rustic barn with a fully stocked outdoor kitchen and dining area, a freestanding bathhouse, and a fire pit, which is great for roasting gourmet s’mores.


Texas Yurt FAQ

What Is a Modern Day Yurt?

A modern-day yurt combines the traditional design of a Mongolian yurt with contemporary materials and amenities. While maintaining their iconic circular shape, modern yurts often feature durable, weatherproof fabrics, insulated walls, and sturdy wooden frames. Inside, they may feature modern comforts like electricity, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and fully furnished interiors. They are a popular choice for glamping, vacation rentals, and permanent homes.

What Is the Difference Between a Tent and a Yurt?

In a nutshell, a yurt is more like a semi-permanent structure, while a tent is a portable, lightweight shelter.

The Main Differences Between a Tent And a Yurt Include:

  • Structure: A yurt has a sturdy frame made of wood or metal, often with lattice walls and a domed roof. Tents, on the other hand, rely on flexible poles and fabric.
  • Durability: Yurts are more robust and better suited for long-term use, while tents are designed for temporary shelter.
  • Space and Comfort: Yurts offer more headroom and usable interior space due to their circular shape and taller walls. They can also accommodate furniture and appliances.
  • Insulation: Yurts can be insulated and provide better temperature control compared to most tents.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Yurt?

While yurts have many advantages, they also come with some drawbacks:

  • Limited Privacy: Yurts often have open interiors, with few or no separate rooms, which can be a challenge for families or groups.
  • Temperature Control: Without proper insulation or heating/cooling systems, yurts can become too hot in summer or too cold in winter.
  • Maintenance: Yurts require regular upkeep to maintain their structural integrity, including checking the fabric cover, sealing, and treating the wood frame.
  • Permits and Zoning: In some areas, yurts may not meet building codes, making it difficult to use them as permanent residences.
  • Exposure to Elements: While sturdy, yurts can be vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, like heavy storms, floods, or fire.

What Is the Average Lifespan of a Yurt?

With regular maintenance, including replacing the cover as needed and preserving the frame, a yurt can provide decades of reliable shelter. However, the average lifespan of a yurt depends on the quality of materials and maintenance.

  • Fabric Cover: The outer fabric or vinyl cover typically lasts between 10 to 15 years, depending on exposure to sunlight, moisture, and harsh weather.
  • Wood Frame: The wooden structure can last 30 years or more with proper care and protection from moisture and pests.

If a yurt doesn’t suit your idea of a good time, then check out other unique ways to stay in Texas – such as cabins, safari tents, vintage caravans, tipis, railroad cars , eco domes, treehouses, and tiny houses.

Kendall Davis
Author: Kendall Davis

Author: Kendall Davis Company: Lumini Services Kendall currently lives on the shores of Lake Texoma in Texas. She traveled across two-thirds of the U.S. for many years camping at lakes, rivers, and three oceans before motels and hotels if at all possible, and she continuously saw God's presence in nature. Writing for Lakehub allows Kendall to share her experience with God's creations. https://kdavis1836.wixsite.com/luminiwrites

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