For the camper who enjoys the look, feel and sound of a canvas covering while sleeping in the great outdoors, an ancient structure is finding new purpose in campgrounds across North America and altering tent-based camping for many.The Mongolian yurt has revolutionized the camping experience in modern day Oregon and is redefining the term,"roughing it" for campers in the American northwest.
Origins of the Yurt
Yurt is a Russian word for what Mongolians call a ger. The yurt dates back to the time of Genghis Khan in the 13th century, according to CanadianYurts.com. Generations of nomadic horse herders in Mongolia continue to use the yurt year-round. The yurt is easy to set up and dismantle as the herders travel in search of good grazing land. The original yurt was a circular structure with lattice walls, roof beams, a roof ring, a door and a combination of felt and sheepskin covering for the walls and roof.
The Modern Yurt
Modern yurts marry Mongolian tradition with 21st century technology and convenience. The yurts found in the campgrounds of Oregon are installed on insulated floors made of four-and-one-half-inch styrofoam, sandwiched and laminated to plywood decking. The heavy canvas walls are seven feet high with a ceiling center height of eight feet, six inches in the smallest model and 13 feet, four inches in the largest. Each yurt has two screened windows with privacy covers, a venting skylight and a locking wooden door. All you need to do is move in.
Rustic Yurts
Rustic yurts are available at state parks throughout Oregon. The 16-foot diameter rustic yurt contains a futon that converts to a double bed and a single top, double bottom bunk bed. Also included is a coffee table, heat, lights, electricity, and an outdoor fire pit and picnic table. You can open a five-foot skylight to see the stars and lock your front door for security at night. All you need to bring for a fun camping experience for five is bedding, food and dishes.
Deluxe Yurts
At Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, you can experience camping in one of six deluxe yurts introduced there in 2002. These high-end yurts, measuring 24 feet in diameter, offer beds with mattresses for seven people, a bathroom with shower, a kitchen equipped with refrigerator, microwave and dining table, a television/VCR combo and an outdoor picnic table and fire ring. All you bring to the deluxe yurt are bedding, food and dishes.
Reservations and Regulations
As of 2010, rustic yurts range from $35 to $41 per night as rates vary by time of year. Deluxe yurts cost $76 per night from May 1 to September 30 and $56 per night from October to April. Deluxe yurts are currently exclusive to Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. Locations for rustic yurt camping are available at the Travel Oregon website (See Resources.) Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. while check-out is at 1:00 p.m. You must be 18 or older to rent a yurt. Smoking and pets inside yurts are prohibited. Online reservations may be made on the website of the park you intend to visit.
Pilot Project
At South Beach Park, a selected yurt allowing a maximum of two pets, dogs or cats, is available during a pilot project that runs through September 30, 2010. An extra fee of $10 per night will be charged. See South Beach Park's website for contact information.
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