Do you cringe at the thought of sharing a sleeping space with bugs, pine pitch and freakishly large mosquitoes? If so, you might want to consider camping in a yurt this summer. Here are five reasons why yurt camping may be your best bet:
Opportunity to Go Slow
Summer yurt camping gives you a chance to experience the great outdoors a little at a time. The yurts are often as spacious as a standard hotel room and frequently come with similar furnishings like coffee tables, futons, bunk beds and air conditioning.
Protection from the Elements
Rain, wind, stifling heat, dirt and insects are just a few of the things that tent campers have to contend with. Yurt campers get to avoid most of that thanks to a yurt's sturdy roof, side walls, wooden platforms, ceiling fans and air conditioners. Some yurts also come equipped with a wrap around deck, a screened in porch, a refrigerator and a microwave. That way, if it rains, you can stay dry, nuke a burrito, drink a cold soda and stare at the sky from underneath a Plexiglas skylight.
Minimal Labor Required
Tent camping often requires folks to hike to a campsite with their gear in tow. Once onsite, there is a tent and cooking area to set up as well as a bear hang. Depending on the campsite's location, it's enough to make even the most stalwart of outdoor enthusiasts break a sweat.
With yurt camping, the amount of labor involved is substantially reduced. The cooking areas and the tent are already set-up. In some instances, a bear resistant food locker is onsite too. So what do you need to do in order to set up camp in a yurt? In most cases, just bring along bed linens, food, beverages and cutlery.
Access to the Modern World
Are you resistant to camping because you don't want to miss the next episode of "Master Chef?" Perhaps you feel the need to play "Angry Birds" or check your e-mail on a daily basis. If that's the case, you may want to rent a yurt that comes equipped with cable television, electricity and internet access. You will, however, most likely have to bring your own lap top.
Access to Camping Related Fun
Because of their locations, yurts put you in the center of the action. You can enjoy lake swimming, fishing, hiking and roasting marshmallows with the other campers. The major difference is that you get to retire at the end of the night to a comfortable mattress.
Killeen Gonzalez enjoys summer sports and recreation. She has also traveled extensively.
More from this contributor:
Tips for Selecting and Using a Tent Footprint for Summer Camping
Top 5 Most Annoying Road Trip Games Ever Invented
