Yurt Life! A Night in a Yurt at the Coast

When was the last time you did something for the first time? Mine was last week, when my dear friend Amy and I drove to the Oregon coast to stay the night in a yurt! Having never even seen a yurt before, I was as always, really excited to try something new. I have stayed the night in a teepee once before, and I was expecting something pretty similar, a glorified tent of some sort. I was pleasantly surprised.
We were registered through Reserve America to stay in a yurt at Nehalem Bay State Park, for a modest $52 for one night. The park had showers, bathrooms, and much to my enjoyment, a playground. Our yurt site was all of 1 minute from the beach, and we took advantage of the lack of rain while we could. The yurt itself was so much more than I expected! We got our key from the host and pulled into our spot. Outside there was a fire pit, and a picnic table covered by a deck.

Inside we were greeted with hard wood floors, a futon, a bunk bed (queen bed on bottom, twin on top) a table, and a few chairs. The three windows all had curtains, and leaving them open let in daylight that lit the yurt completely. There was a heater (hallelujah!) and electricity hook-up as well. Basically, short of a kitchen, the yurt had everything we could need. I said the phrase "I just want to live here." more than a few times that night.

Regardless of the rain and the 60-70 mph winds that were raging all night long, the beds were comfortable, and I felt safe and secure. The heater kept it nice and toasty, and the other people staying in the park were quiet as soon as 10pm rolled around. I definitely could have stayed for a few more nights. I highly recommend a night in a yurt, if anything just for the experience. They're cheaper than most hotels, and they're the perfect mix of rustic and modern. Check your local park's website as many allow pets in the yurts as well! Just make sure you bring your own bedding, some snacks, and a few of your favorite people.