Yurt homes have a long and storied history. More than 1,000 years ago, the Mongols used yurts as mobile shelter. Nowadays, folks buy prefab yurts and use them to set up camp or as a permanent place of residence—and business is booming.
“We are having a record year so far,” says Ivy Fife, marketing manager of the Colorado Yurt Co., which sells prefab yurts, tepees, and tents.
For those unfamiliar with this style of dwelling, a yurt resembles a circus tent or a walled-in gazebo. It’s large for a tent, but small for a house—the largest is typically 700 to 800 square feet, and there’s just one room. The cone-shaped ceiling is often topped with a window to let in additional light. Some offer off-the-grid living, while others are hooked into conventional infrastructure.
But what’s fueling the popularity of these circular structures?
“Individual buyers range from retirees looking to simplify, to young families who are looking for an alternative way of life,” Fife says. “We also have folks who are buying them as offices, studios, guest rooms, and summer cabins, or as temporary housing while they are building a traditional home.”
The tiny-house craze has helped familiarize the public with the concept, she says. “Five years ago, we heard the question, ‘What’s a yurt?’ much more than we do now.”
If you’re looking for a turnkey yurt along with some property, we’ve found seven options worth circling.
12-7019 Kehauopuna St, Pahoa, HI
Price: $95,000
Is this yurt for you? Who says you can’t afford to live in Hawaii? This 400-square-foot, off-the-grid yurt is your ticket to island living. Located on a 7,500-square-foot lot, the yurt comes with solar power, a built-in sleeping loft, and a propane gas stove.
———
28464 Possum Trot Rd, Stover, MO
Price: $54,000
Is this yurt for you? Located on a comfortable deck overlooking a creek, this 432-square-foot yurt might be the perfect vacation getaway. It also comes with a covered dock.
———
470 Reed Shipyard Rd, Decatur Island, WA
Price: $369,000
Is this yurt for you? At first glance, this yurt looks a bit pricey. That’s until you learn the 2.48 acres of property is located on an island shore. In addition, this circular getaway is well-equipped and large—it measures 765 square feet and comes with a full kitchen, water, power, and phone line. And if the listing is to be believed, you can snack on the oysters and clams that wash up onto your front yard.
———
63 S Thomas Spring Rd, Datil, NM
Price: $45,000
Is this yurt for you? If your budget is small but your privacy needs are large, consider this 10-acre-plus property.
“This property is located in a very desirable area in the mountains where there are no rules and regulations,” the listing says. Think of all the things you can do with the land. Or how many more yurts you could fit in.
———
88290 Happy Hollow Rd, Bayfield, WI
Price: $139,000
Is this yurt for you? This delightfully cozy-looking yurt sits on 55 acres filled with apple trees and “abundant wildlife” that you can cook up on your stove (the home is marketed as a “hunter’s paradise,” after all). It’s 30 feet in diameter and boasts floor heating, a dishwasher, electricity, and an elevated loft.
———
1308 Dave Wood Rd, Montrose, CO
Price: $129,000
Is this yurt for you? If you love the woods, then yes, this yurt just might be for you. This 700-square-foot yurt sits on over 40 acres of a “heavily wooded sanctuary.” It’s off-the-grid living, but the 10,000-watt solar panels, backup generator, and hot-water tank make this much more than a temporary campsite.
———
23870 Black Bear Rd, Aguilar, CO
Price: $127,500
Is this yurt for you? This 452-square-foot yurt certainly looks like a cozy spot to spend time in Colorado’s Apishapa Valley. This yurt comes with a wood-burning fireplace, an outdoor shower, covered outdoor dining area, and a deck. The canine in the picture is not included.
