How long does it take to set up yurts?
Designed with an emphasis on portability and camping, our yurts are made to set up in an hour or less, often under 30 minutes for our smaller yurts. We always suggest giving yourself more time if you are brand new to yurts, to familiarize yourself with the structure. Remember, all of our yurts come with fully illustrated setup instructions and we are available 7 days a week for phone or video chat support or just to answer any setup questions you may have.
Can one person set up a yurt by themselves?
This is most easily accomplished with yurts 16’ and under, and requires a few modifications to the setup process, but yes, this is possible! Check out our setup instructions for a page on how to solo setup a yurt, and of course, if you need a refresher,contact us to schedule a phone or video chat support session.
Can yurts be set up on a deck?
Yes! Yurts are just as comfortable on your deck, patios or any flat outdoor spaces as they are right on the ground. The are a great accents for decks, patio seating, hot tubs, or outdoor dining. Depending on how smooth the surface is, or the specifics of your yurt site, we may recommend anchoring your yurt to the surface, using commonly available hardware. For questions or advice about setup on your specific project, contact us!
Are your yurts suitable for winter camping/snow loads?
In most instances, yes! The strength and redundancy built into yurts makes them able to withstand snow. We have tested snow loads up to a foot (or more depending on local conditions and density of snow) on our models 18’ and below. The smaller roof surface areas of our smaller yurts actually makes them the best suited for snow loads however, we also offer simple removable brace poles that can be fitted underneath the roof ring which increases its ability to bear snow load. In instances of heavy snow we recommend shaking and lifting the fabric from underneath, in order to shake off excess snow weight. As with any season, draping extra insulating layers, whether they be as impromptu as blankets, or up to extra fitted fabric layers from our shop will help trap in heat.
Can there be a stove/heater/fire inside a yurt?
The safety of heat sources inside a yurt depends on how clean burning the fuel is and how much smoke/exhaust it produces. Candles, electric heaters, and non catalytic propane heaters are low exhaust heating options that often work well with tents. Wood burning stoves, gas stoves, and catalytic propane heaters are high exhaust. We do not recommend campfires/fire pits inside a yurt, due to the high smoke output. Opening the dome flap over the roof ring is the obvious choice for allowing exhaust out of the yurt, especially if a stovepipe can go through and out of the roof ring. We can also fit high temperature thermal barriers for stovepipe exit through a wall or roof, and offer flame retardant fabric. As with ANY flame or heating inside a yurt, always follow the manufacturers instructions for best practices, and use caution to keep away from flammable objects and surfaces.
Can I hang items from the yurt roof / lattice wall?
Yes! The structure of the yurt is independently free standing, making it strong enough to support a variety of fixtures. This space saving feature is one of the key advantages of our yurts and can be utilized in a plethora of ways! Read more about them here
Are your yurts suitable for 3 - 4 season use or as housing?
While our yurts are designed primarily for camping, we do offer several upgrades to make them suitable for 3-4 season use or even temporary housing. We offer vinyl and polyester fabric layers which can be used in place of or in addition to our Sunforger canvas layers for extreme weatharbility and extra insulation. Many of our customers have taken advantage of our yurt accessories combined with their own improvements to use our yurts as tiny houses, AirBNB’s, guest housing, wilderness hunting lodges, and more. Talk to us about your project!
How packable is a yurt? What vehicle do you need needed to transport it?
Of course this depends on the size of your yurt, but generally a vehicle with a roof rack, continuous cargo space of at least 8’ or both, will be able to transport all but our largest yurts. The collapsed lattice wall is generally the largest individual component and can be transported either flat or rolled in a tube. Rafters are best grouped as a bundle flat at the bottom of the cargo area, canvas, when correctly folded is about the size of a duffel bag. Generally, SUVs, minivans, pickup trucks or larger vehicles will be best suited for transporting a yurt. Sedans or hatchbacks with a roof rack can carry our smaller yurts. Check out our Buy a Yurt page for a better idea of the packed dimensions of each of our yurt sizes. If you have questions about a specific yurt and vehicle model, contact us!
What are the available options to customize my yurt?
Every yurt is built to order and we can customize almost every aspect of your yurt. We offer a broad variety of colors and materials for both structure and fabric that can be mixed and matched. Wall height, door width, extra doorways, window panels in the wall or roof fabric, split walls, or even linked yurts are just some of our customization offerings. If you have an idea for a special addition or customization we are happy to work with you!