If you’ve ever wanted to try camping without actually sleeping on the ground, Grayson Highlands yurts are about as good an introduction as Virginia offers. You still get the woodsmoke and the mountain air. You just also get a real bed, four walls, and a locking door.
Quick answer: Grayson Highlands State Park has four yurts located in the Hickory Ridge Campground, each with a large wooden deck, picnic table, and four rocking chairs. Stays typically require a two-night minimum, and yurts are not dog-friendly, unlike much of the rest of the park’s camping. Book early — winter openings for the following season go fast.
What Is a Grayson Highlands Yurt, Exactly?
A yurt sits somewhere between a tent and a cabin — round, canvas-walled, with a solid floor and a proper door instead of a zipper. Virginia’s park yurts are contemporary adaptations of the traditional nomadic structure, offering a happy medium between tent camping and a full-service cabin, though they don’t come with electricity or climate control.
At Grayson Highlands specifically, there are four yurts in Hickory Ridge Campground, each with a large wooden deck furnished with a picnic table and four rocking chairs, plus >a separate area with its own picnic table and a fire ring with a cooking grate. One camper who booked “Split Rock,” yurt number 2, described it as her home for two nights during the first week of June — a small detail that hints at how each yurt has its own name and personality, not just a number.
The yurts sit near the bunkhouse, with walking-distance access to the country store, playground, and shower house. The sites themselves are more generously sized and spread out than the standard tent sites in the same campground, giving better privacy and woodland views off the back deck.
Quick takeaway: Think “furnished platform tent with a locking door,” not “log cabin.” No electricity, no plumbing inside — but a dry, secure, comfortable base camp.
Booking, Cost, and Timing
A yurt runs roughly $75 a night, or $454 for a full week — though rates can shift year to year, so confirm current pricing when you reserve. One two-night stay, with fees and taxes included, came out to about $190.
A few booking realities that don’t always make it into the glossy overview pages:
- Two-night minimum. Yurts must be reserved for two consecutive nights, so this isn’t the spot for a single-night stopover.
- No pets in the yurts. Unlike most of the campground, the yurts are not dog-friendly. If you’re traveling with a dog, you’ll want a standard tent or RV site instead.
- Book in January for peak season. Reservations for glamping accommodations tend to fill up fast, and openings are typically released in January — if you want a fall-foliage or summer weekend slot, don’t wait until spring.
- Reserve directly through the park system. Call 1-800-933-PARK or book online through Virginia State Parks; third-party sites won’t have accurate yurt availability.
- Seasonal closures matter. Full-service camping (which includes the yurts) runs May through October, and the park closes entirely to camping from the first Monday in December until the first Friday in March. Note that Hickory Ridge has also had extended closures for site improvements in recent years, so it’s worth double-checking current-season status before you plan around it.
Quick takeaway: Budget around $75–95/night depending on season, plan for a 2-night stay, leave the dog with a sitter, and book as soon as the reservation window opens.
What to Pack for a Yurt Stay
Because the yurts have no electricity or running water inside, pack like you’re tent camping — just with a bit more room to spread out:
- Sleeping bags or bedding (yurts typically include bed frames/platforms, not linens)
- A headlamp or lantern — there’s no interior lighting
- A cooler, since there’s no refrigeration
- Camp stove or the fire ring/grill outside for cooking
- Layers — expect temperatures 15–20 degrees colder than the base of the mountain, with gusty winds even in warmer months
- Basic toiletries and a towel — bathhouses are a short walk away, not attached to the yurt
If you forget something, the small Country Store at the campground entrance stocks propane, firewood, ice, and basic supplies.
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What’s Nearby — Ponies, Peaks, and Trails
The yurts aren’t the main event — they’re base camp for one of Virginia’s most scenic parks.
Grayson Highlands sits at the highest elevation of any Virginia state park, inside the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, and has been named one of the best state parks in the South by Southern Living. The park’s free-roaming wild ponies graze the high balds and are managed by the Wilburn Ridge Pony Association, including health checks during the fall roundup tied to the park’s Fall Festival.
Hikers get direct access to both the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, with over 25 miles of trails through spruce-fir forest, rhododendron thickets, and open meadow. For an easy introduction, the Twin Pinnacles Trail is a 1.6-mile loop right behind the Visitor Center with views over Massie Gap. Climbers, meanwhile, know the park for what’s considered the best bouldering in Virginia, with over 700 named routes.
Yurt vs. Tent vs. RV — Which Fits Your Trip?
| Yurt | Tent Site | RV/Electric Site | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weatherproofing | Solid walls, locking door | Depends on your gear | Full protection |
| Electricity | None | None | Yes (20/30/50 amp) |
| Minimum stay | 2 nights | 1 night | 1 night |
| Pet friendly | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | ~$75–95/night | Lowest | Mid-range |
| Best for | First-timers, comfort seekers | Budget backpackers, AT hikers | Families with rigs |
The Bottom Line: Grayson Highlands Yurts
A Grayson Highlands yurt is a good middle path if you want the mountain, the ponies, and the campfire smell without wrestling a wet tent at 6 a.m. Book two nights, skip bringing the dog, pack like you’re still car camping, and get your reservation in as soon as the window opens in January. Ready to plan the rest of your trip? Check current yurt availability and rates directly through Virginia State Parks before you build out your itinerary.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Head over to browse more adventures for more guides like this.
FAQ Section
Q: How many yurts does Grayson Highlands State Park have?
A: Four, all located in Hickory Ridge Campground, each with its own wooden deck, picnic table, and rocking chairs.
Q: Do the yurts have electricity?
A: No. Virginia’s park yurts, including those at Grayson Highlands, don’t include electricity or climate control (Kiptopeke State Park is the exception, with one deluxe electrified yurt).
Q: Can I bring my dog to a Grayson Highlands yurt?
A: No — yurts at Grayson Highlands are not pet-friendly, even though dogs are welcome elsewhere in the campground.
Q: What’s the minimum stay for a yurt?
A: Two consecutive nights.
Q: How much does a Grayson Highlands yurt cost?
A: Roughly $75 per night or around $450 for a full week, though rates can change — confirm current pricing when booking.
Q: When should I book a yurt for peak season?
A: Reservations open in January and fill quickly, especially for fall foliage and summer weekends.
Q: Are the yurts open year-round?
A: No. Full-service camping, including yurts, generally runs May through October, with the park closed to camping from the first Monday in December through the first Friday in March.
Q: What’s within walking distance of the yurts?
A: The bunkhouse, country store, playground, and shower house are all a short walk away.
