What Is a Yurt Tent?

If you want a bohemian backyard retreat or a romantic glamping weekend, a yurt tent could be just what you need for the perfect escape.

So, what is a yurt tent? Let’s look at how traditional yurts have changed over time and see what sets today’s yurt tents apart. We’ll also go over the different styles of modern yurt tents.

Traditional Yurts vs. Modern Yurt Tents

For nomadic cultures, tents have always been a part of daily life. Even as camping and glamping have become popular outdoor activities, canvas tents still carry a lot of history. The yurt is one of these classic canvas tent styles, and it has changed a lot since it was first used.

Traditional Yurt Tents

Traditional yurts — featuring a round wooden lattice structure with a “crown” compression ring at the top, all wrapped in thick insulating cloth, felt, or hide — originated in Central Asia. In fact, you can still see the yurts’ time-honored heritage in the Kyrgyzstan flag. The center symbol represents the tündük, the crown-like opening in the center of a yurt’s roof.

In the past, yurts were built in a similar way. The lattice walls could collapse, and the fabric covering would fold up, making it easy to pack and move with the seasons or follow herds. It’s a clever design.

Modern Yurt Tents

Fast forward to today, and these traditional yurts have found a new purpose as spacious, circular glamping tents. Modern yurt tents borrow many of the same features as a conventional yurt, except for a few exceptions.

For example, modern yurt tents use steel poles or a lightweight frame instead of the old lattice structure. Instead of animal hides or wool, they use strong, breathable cotton for the walls.

You can still find traditional yurts, but yurt tents are much more portable and semi-permanent. This makes them great for glamping, weekend camping, music festivals, historical reenactments, backyard guest house, and many other uses.

Styles of Modern Yurt Tents (With Their Key Features)

Most modern yurt tents have a few things in common, such as:

• A round, roomy floor plan that fits a whole family
• High ceilings that make the inside feel bright and open
• Plastic-style windows that let in natural sunlight instead of a crown-shaped roof opening
• Canvas walls that breathe and insulate, keeping the tent cool in summer and warm in winter, especially if you use a stove

Now that you know the main features, let’s look at some common types of modern yurts and what makes each one special. This can help you decide which is right for you.

Bell Yurt Tents

Bell tents are, in fact, commonly called yurt tents. And vice versa! With very similar features, it’s easy to see why the names are so interchangeable. A popular choice for glamping setups and camping adventures, bell tents offer wide, open round footprints, high peaked roofs, and are super portable.

One main difference is that bell tents have a single center pole to support the canvas walls, plus stakes around the edge to hold everything in place. Quality-made bell tents also have raised sidewalls and mesh windows, which help improve airflow and reduce mold and mildew.

Semi-Permanent Yurt Tents

These yurts may not be completely traditional, but you can still find ones that look like the originals, just with modern updates. They keep the classic round shape, open crown roof, and foldable wall poles. Sometimes the poles are lattice-style, but often they are straight and vertical.

The biggest difference is that the wall poles are now made from lighter metals, making these yurts much easier to pack and move, unlike the heavy timber beams used in the past. You’ll often see these yurt tents at glamping resorts or seasonal campgrounds. However, because the main frame takes more time to set up, they aren’t always the best choice for quick weekend camping trips.

Permanent Yurt Tents

Finally, these yurt tents are the most traditional style. They use a strong, fixed structure instead of a folding frame. Instead of just canvas walls, they have several layers, like wool and foil-backed insulation, so they can be used all year. These permanent yurts are often built on wooden decks or concrete platforms, so they are meant to stay in one place.

In short, permanent yurt tents are a bigger commitment. They’re great for families who want a backyard guest suite or ADU, and for glamping resorts or hosts who need rooms available all year.

Is a Yurt Tent Right for You?

If you want to try glamping in a yurt tent before buying, you can find plenty of rentals on HipCamp, Airbnb, and other vacation sites. Spend a weekend or longer in a cozy yurt tent and see if it’s right for you.

As you can see, yurt tents come in many styles, each with its own benefits. It’s a good idea to try one and think about how you’ll use the space. If you have the budget, space, and want something long-term, a traditional yurt could be best. But if you want a quick glamping getaway, a bell yurt tent might be perfect.