VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — If you're looking for a fun, funky and unique vacation, how about camping in a yurt?
Beach resident Stephanie Silva and her family booked a 'staycation' in a yurt at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.
“I like that it's that camping feel but still a little more structured. We were able to come in and set up easily, but also it's a different style of camping," said Silva. "I thought the kids would really enjoy it, and I like that it was high up."
“[It] keeps the kids off the screens and we get some family time, we got some board games, we got a fire… and s'mores,” said dad, P.J. Silva.
The park rents its yurts each year, starting on the first Friday in March and ending on the first Sunday in December.
“At the park here, we have four yurts. This is yurt 4 and inside you're gonna find a queen-sized bed and a twin-sized roll-out bed underneath it. Inside, there is also a table and a couch,” explained Park Ranger Samantha O’Donald.
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The word "yurt" is of Turkish origin and means round dwelling used by nomads.
“So it's like a tent, but a little nicer?" I asked. "Yeah, so it gives you that camping experience while you still feel cozy inside of a structure,” O'Donald answered.
The yurts sit nestled in the sand dunes right on the Chesapeake Bay off Shore Drive.
“You get the best view of the Chesapeake Bay I think in the entire city in our yurts here,” said O'Donald.
It's a unique waterfront staycation for the Silva family. They found that it was more kid-friendly than staying at an oceanfront hotel.
“I like that there's not a lot of waves you can get toppled over [by],” said Samantha Silva.
But unlike a hotel, there’s no electricity or running water.
“[Renters] would go to one of our bathhouses throughout the campground [to use the bathroom],” said Ranger O'Donald.
“You have to pack all your food and be willing to cook over a fire. So, not as convenient as staying in a hotel, but it does offer a lot more in terms of experience I think,” said Stephanie Silva.
And speaking of cool experiences, we had a special visitor during the interview.
“Oh wow! Whoa... That’s a bald eagle,” said Stephanie.
Unfortunately, he was gone before I could catch a shot of him. But there'll be other chances on the 20 miles of trails and wide beachfront.
“I like [that] I can tell my friends, 'I’m staying in a yurt,' because they’ve never heard of it," said P.J. Silva. "They’re like, 'What the heck’s a yurt?'"
If you would like to try out a yurt for yourself, go the park's website here.
