A special way to camp, without fully committing to freezing your toes off.
Why We Chose a Yurt (A Real-Life Mom Compromise Story)
My son recently turned 13 and had one birthday request:
“Let’s go camping.”
Cute, right?
Except… his birthday is in March. In Minnesota. 🥶
He was all in on the challenge of cold-weather camping.
I, on the other hand, was less excited about sleeping on frozen ground and questioning my life choices at 2am.
So we found our middle ground: a yurt.
And honestly? It was the perfect balance.
✔️ A little rustic
✔️ A little cozy
✔️ Just enough adventure to feel outdoorsy
✔️ Just enough comfort to still enjoy it
Think: camping… but upgraded.
What Is a Yurt, Anyway?
If you’ve never heard of a yurt before, you’re not alone.
Yurts are round, insulated canvas structures with a wood floor, kind of like a cross between a tent and a tiny cabin.
The ones in Minnesota State Parks are:
- Permanently set up (no pitching a tent 🙌)
- Built with wood lattice frames and heavy-duty fabric
- Insulated for cooler weather
- Equipped with a wood stove for heat
Inside, you’ll typically find:
- Bunk beds (ours slept 7!)
- A small table
- Sleeping mats on each bunk
- Sometimes a surprise outlet 👀 (even though they say no electricity)
Outside, you’ll usually have:
- A fire ring
- A picnic table
- A bear box for food storage
- Nearby outhouse-style bathrooms
- Water access near the parking area
Where to Find Yurts in Minnesota
There are a few different ways to book a yurt stay in Minnesota:
State Park Yurts (My Recommendation)
These are a great entry point if you want that cozy-but-still-camping feel.
Some options include:
- Afton State Park
- Glendalough State Park
→ Has a smaller yurt option that sleeps 3 - Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
Most yurts sleep around 5–7 people, making them great for families or small groups.
Private Yurt Rentals
You’ll also find yurts on Airbnb or private land.
From my research, many of these are more like “yurt-style tents”, a little less sturdy and more glamping-focused.
👉 If you want something more structured (especially in colder months), I’d lean toward state park yurts.
How Yurt Camping Is Different Than Tent Camping
If traditional camping feels intimidating, this is where yurts really shine.
Here’s the upgrade:
No setup required
→ Your “tent” is already waiting for you
You’re off the ground
→ Wood floors + bunk beds = way more comfortable
Actual heat source
→ A wood stove (game changer in colder months)
More space
→ You can actually stand up and move around
That said… it’s still camping.
You’ll still:
- Cook over a fire
- Manage your heat source
- Bundle up at night
- Walk to the bathroom
It’s just a cozier version of all of it.
What to Bring (Don’t Skip This Part)
Even though it feels like glamping, you still need to come prepared.
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.
Must-Bring Items
- Sleeping bags or bedding
- Pillows
- Lantern, flashlight, or headlamp
- Warm layers (more than you think you’ll need)
Nice-to-Haves (That Make It Way Better)
- Hiking backpack
- Hanging lantern for overhead light
- Headlamps (so much easier than flashlights)
- Cast iron cookware
- Simple camping spices
- Chess Board/Games
- Deck of Cards/Uno
Costs + Little Extras to Know
- You’ll need a Minnesota State Park pass (daily or annual)
- Firewood is provided for the indoor stove, but you’ll need to purchase wood for outdoor fires
If you’re into fun extras:
I’m part of the Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club and Passport Club, so we made it a whole experience and even did a 2.5-mile ski trail while we were there.
And for my son’s birthday, we picked up:
- A hiking stick
- A park medallion
Which honestly made it feel even more special.
Pro Tip: Your Fire Isn’t Broken 😄
We kept thinking our wood stove fire was going out…
Turns out:
It’s supposed to look like that.
A wood stove burns slow and steady, not like a big campfire with constant flames.
Once we realized that, everything made a lot more sense (and we stopped panicking every 20 minutes).
The Birthday Highlight 🎂
My friend fully committed to the experience and made my son a birthday cake…
In a cast iron Dutch oven.
Was it fast? No.
Was it fun and memorable? 1000%.
We used a boxed mix and pre-measured ingredients to keep it simple and it turned out surprisingly good.
Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely.
Yurt camping gave us:
✨ The adventure he wanted
✨ The comfort I needed
✨ A really memorable birthday experience
If you’ve ever wanted to try camping, but weren’t quite ready to go full survival mode, this is your sign.
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