Grayson Highlands State Park Yurt Review

Two things you need to know: 1) I’ve always wanted to stay in a yurt, and 2) Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia is one of my favorite places in the world. So you can see why I was a bit inclined to enjoy this experience.

Grayson Highlands State Park is famous for its access to the Appalachian Trail, wild ponies, mountain streams, 5000’ mountain peaks, and its amazing scenic views.

It’s located about 3 hours from Knoxville and 2.5 hours from Charlotte, NC.

I was lucky enough to score a reservation for one of the 4 yurts located inside the park’s Hickory Ridge Campground. Yurt 2, also known as “Split Rock,” was our home for 2 nights during the first week of June.

I couldn’t find much detailed info on the yurts at the time of booking, so I’m sharing our experience for those trying to decide if yurt camping is for you.

CAMPING AT GRAYSON HIGHLANDS STATE PARK

Four yurts are located along the outer loop of Grayson Highland’s Hickory Ridge Campground. In general, the camp sites at this campground aren’t particularly great. They don’t afford much privacy, and the sites are fairly small.

That being said, however, the yurt sites are generously sized and fairly spread out from each other to provide privacy and wonderful woodland views from the rear decks.

It’s a quiet, family-oriented campground with both tent sites and electric/water sites. It’s also a great location to access all the wonderful hikes in the park. Most of the park’s hikes are within a 5 minute drive, and you can even walk to the trailhead of the Wilson Creek Trail from the campground.

It has two bath houses with flush toilets, showers (with hot water), and a dish washing station.

Along with the 4 yurts, the campground itself has 32 standard (tent) sites and 42 sites with electric and water. In the center of the campground is a large field perfect for star gazing or a great place for kids to kick a soccer ball or throw football.

If you forgot any basic camping supplies, the small Country Store at the entrance of the campground has you covered. They supply cold beverages, camping supplies like propane for your stove, lighters, flashlights, starter fire logs, paper plates, lanterns, smores fixins, ice cream, gorp, chips, mustard, ketchup, peanut butter, etc. but no meals per say. The store is open mid-May through mid-October.

YURT AMENITIES

First off, you need to keep in mind that the yurts provide few camping amenities beyond basic shelter. Essentially, the yurt replaces your tent. You still need to bring everything else that you would bring for a typical camping trip, because there is no heat, air conditioning, electricity or water. So bring those camp stoves, coolers, lanterns, etc. See our camping checklist.

There is also no smoking, pets, or cooking allowed inside the tents so be prepared for cooking outside. Access to potable water is located across the road from Yurt 2 and 3's entrance, and the campground bath house is about a 3 minute walk from the yurts.

Tip: For Yurts 2-4, take a right when exiting the yurt and follow the loop road to the nearest bath house. For Yurt 1 taking a left might be closer.

The campground host sells firewood and ice and makes rounds throughout the day on their utility vehicle to sell to campers throughout the campground. You can also walk up to purchase from their site which is located across from the bath house.

EACH YURT SLEEPS 3-4 PEOPLE

The website states that the yurts sleep 3 but will accommodate 4. Here’s what that means- the yurt has a queen size bed with mattress. Underneath the queen bed, you’ll find a twin size trundle bed that can be pulled out to sleep a 3rd person.

To accommodate a 4th person, you could sleep on the short sofa but keep in mind that it is roughly 5.5 feet long, so perfect for a child but not an adult. Alternatively, there is enough floor space to simply spread out a camp mattress on the floor.

The yurts are relatively new, so the mattresses are in good shape and although firm, were very comfortable. We slept much better in the yurt than a typical night spent in a tent. It was quiet and cozy, and even on a fairly windy night when we could hear the wind whipping through the trees, we did not hear a single flap or creak from our secure and sturdy yurt. Tent campers will appreciate this sound luxury.

BRING YOUR OWN BEDDING/SLEEPING BAGS/PILLOWS

The campground has typically supplied the bed linens in the past, but during Covid you are expected to bring your own sheets, pillows, blankets or sleeping bags.

THE INSIDE OF THE YURT

The inside of our yurt (Split Rock) exceeded our expectations. It was very clean, had lots of natural light, and a high domed ceiling made it feel spacious. More importantly, the yurt was sealed tightly to the outside to prevent mice and bugs from grabbing a cozy night’s stay.

It has a small dining table with 4 chairs, an arm chair, 3 side tables, and a couch with coffee table. A broom and dust pan was provided for the wood floors, and there were a couple of hooks to hang bags or coats.

The center of the yurt’s ceiling houses a large dome sky light letting lots of sunshine in and kept the yurt bright during the day.

THE OUTSIDE OF THE YURT

Each yurt has a lockable front door (a 4 digit code is provided at check-in), one regular built-in window with screen that you can open from the inside, and 2 screen windows covered with canvas which you open from the outside by unzipping each side, rolling up the canvas, and securing it with a clip.

We kept the widows open during the day and closed them at night.

THE OUTDOOR DECK

One of the best features of the yurts are the expansive decks that surround the yurt itself. 4 rocking chairs are provided. When we arrived, the rocking chairs were located inside the yurt. You could keep them there if you wanted, but it sure was nice to rock outside and enjoy the unobstructed view of the forest.

The mostly private deck also has a large picnic table and a large bear-proof storage bin for your food. We kept our cooler in the storage bin along with several bags of food.

This was one of the most convenient aspects of camping in the yurt. Rather than making a dozen plus trips to your car to retrieve and store food and supplies throughout the day, it was conveniently located within steps of your front door.

In addition to the large deck, the yurt site also a large side area with a fire ring and cooking grate, another picnic table, and posts for hammocks (only on Yurts 2 and 3). You may want to bring camp chairs to sit around the fire.

A grill was also provided and seemed to be in very good shape. Clean and no rust.

THE FOUR YURTS

All the yurts have essentially the same interior, and you would be pleased with any of them. Yurts 2 and 3 have the hammock posts, Yurt 4 is wheelchair accessible and closest to the bath house (328 ft away), and Yurt 1 may have the best deck views. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Yurt 3 with its long driveway was perhaps the most “tucked away” while Yurt 2 had perhaps the most inviting side area.

TEMPERATURES AT GRAYSON HIGHLANDS

The entrance of the park sits at an elevation of 3,698 feet and trail elevations can be 5000+, so the temperature is always a bit cooler and usually a bit windy. The temperature is at least 10 degrees cooler than in surrounding areas.

We were there the first week in June and were surprised how cold the high of 69 degrees felt outside due to the wind. We wore long pants, long sleeves, and a jacket if we weren’t hiking on a trail.

It was perfect sleeping weather with lows around 50 degrees. We closed all of the windows at night and enjoyed the cool evenings. During the day, we opened the windows to warm the yurt back up. It was never unusually warm in the yurt while we were there, yet never uncomfortably cool either.

I’m not sure how warm summer months would feel inside the yurt. You have 3 windows for ventilation and it looked like you could open up the dome skylight if needed. I asked the clerk at the Country Store about warm weather months, but she had no insight for me. If anyone has stayed in July or August, drop a line in the comments and let us know how it was!

I would imagine it would be really cold inside the yurt if it is freezing weather. However, it looks like winter would provide some good views once the leaves fall.

You can check out the average monthly temperatures here. June 2020’s highs ranged from 81 to 52 degrees, and the lows ranged from 45 to 65 degrees. So with this wide disparity, make sure to check the forecast before your trip so you can pack appropriately.

HOW TO RESERVE A YURT AT GRAYSON HIGHLANDS STATE PARK

Yurts can be reserved on the Virginia State Park's website and are open year round. It costs $75 night or $454 for a week’s stay. With fees and taxes, our total for two nights came to $190.33. I have to admit that it was worth every penny when I didn’t have to pack up a wet tent upon departure. Priceless!

FINAL THOUGHTS- WHAT WE LIKED

• I could stand up to dress and not have to sprawl on my back on the floor of the tent to put my pants on.

• It was a dry, cozy, and fun place to hang out when it rained.

• It was secure from the elements and critters at night.

• How spacious the yurt was compared to a tent.

• I slept better than I usually do in a tent.

• Being able to store things in the locker on the deck or in the yurt and not having to take multiple trips to my car to get food, supplies, clothes, etc. from the car.

• You could lock the yurt to protect your belongings.

And I especially loved those rocking chairs on the large deck overlooking the woods!

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