We found all the comforts of home in a 24-yurt at Acadia Yurts glampground, located on five wooded acres near Acadia National Park. What’s a yurt, you ask? Think of it as a round, canvas, studio apartment with a conical roof rising to a circular ceiling window. After spending two nights here with two gal-pals, I’m a yurt convert.
Acadia Yurts glampground comprises six 24-foot yurts (two are pet-friendly), each sleeping four; one 30-foot yurt sleeping six; and two tiny houses ideal for couples. Guests have shared use of a communal fire-pit, three charcoal grills, picnic tables, two screen-houses with dining tables, and coin-op laundry. There’s also a wellness center with a yoga studio, infrared sauna, massage therapy, and a float tank. We didn’t get to use the center, so I can tell you only that it exists.
Inside the yurt
Frankly, I wasn’t sure what to expect upon arrival. But, our spacious, 24-foot yurt offered everything needed for a self-contained stay. Picture the circular floor plan as four wedges. Three-quarters are open living area. The well-stocked kitchen, with an electric stove and under-counter refrigerator, and a table with chairs, fills one quarter.
With a queen pull-out sofa, the adjacent living room quarter faces the bedroom quarter, which has a queen-size bed, a clothes rack, and storage shelves. And, we found enough space for the roll-away bed we’d requested. An air-conditioner/heat pump made controlling the yurt’s temperature easy.
The bathroom with a shower fills the fourth quarter. That’s in a separate room, accessed from the bedroom and backed against the kitchen wall.
Acadia Yurts’ owners have thought of everything. They’ve stocked the laundry shed with toys, games, books, DVDs (bring viewing device), kitchen and bath amenities, a lobster pot, and other items you might want or need.
Consider the 30-foot yurt if you want a full kitchen with a dishwasher, a separate bedroom, and a loft bedroom, as well as a comfier living area with more seating.
Acadia Yurts glampground make an ideal base for exploring Acadia National Park
Expect a low-key, family-friendly, relaxing atmosphere and fellow guests who are there to enjoy Acadia National Park. Acadia Yurts glampground’s location on the quiet side of the island means you’re away from most of the park’s iconic sights. But, you’re close to many of Acadia’s less-visited trails (I love the Perpendicular Trail’s granite stairs ascending Mansell Mountain—considered Acadia’s most constructed trail) as well as to Echo Lake.
In Southwest Harbor’s downtown, just down the road, you can hop a ferry to the islands, join a sea-kayaking excursion, buy groceries and souvenirs, and enjoy a choice of restaurants.
Acadia Yurts glampground rents the yurts by the week from June to mid October; early and late season require a three-night minimum. Check-in is contact-free, but the owners are always available via phone, should you have questions or a problem.
