Geodesic YurtDomes™

Shelter Systems’ Geodesic YurtDomes™ are our most popular portable Geotensic™ shelters. Our YurtDomes are known for their lightweight construction, large amount of light transmitted in, strength, and portability. They are made of a strong, tear resistant fabric and non-puncturing tarp fasteners, and are guaranteed leak proof.

YurtDome shelters have endless uses! They have served as family living spaces, camping tents, emergency disaster relief shelters, burning man shelters, greenhouses, art studios, classrooms, playrooms, retreats, fair pavilions, expedition tents, research tents, hot tub, spa, and pool covers, guest houses, ski huts, base camps, youth camps, eco tourism cabins, camping tents, wedding parties, mobile offices, shade and solar structures, and more.

Easy Set Up

The 14′, 18′ and 20′ YurtDomes can be set up by most people in 30 minutes without tools. Insert the interchangeable poles into factory-attached connectors spaced evenly over the cover. The poles bend slightly when inserted, tightening the cover into a wind- and waterproof shelter. The cover is freestanding requiring no guy lines and can be moved into the desired position or location without disassembly. The YurtDome can be taken down in 5 minutes: just remove the poles and roll up the covering. Below is shown the set up of the 10′ YurtDome in about 8 minutes. See You Tube Videos of the 14′ set up here, and 14′ take down here. An 18′ set up here. Another 18′ set up here.

Sturdy Design

Shelter Systems Yurt Domes™ are stronger than any other structure made of the same materials. Because of its curved shape with no corners, there are no weak points. Our patented structure is drum tight, waterproof and wind-resistant.

Shelter Systems’ YurtDomes have the poles on the outside with the covering suspended under the frame via Shelter Systems’ own Grip Clip tarp fasteners, such that the frame and the covering are not in direct contact. Because the covering is under constant and even tension, the tent will not flap or shred in high wind, poles cannot rub against the covering, which would eventually wear holes in it, and water and leaf debris cannot get caught in dips between poles.

The shingled panels of our YurtDomes overlap each other by 6″, making the structure very strong and completely leak proof (we have a leak-proof guarantee for all of our domes). The shingling design allows the structure to breathe for excellent air circulation and so moisture is driven out by vapor pressure, preventing condensation.

Shelter Systems’ patented Grip Clips™ tarp fasteners are used to join the dome’s cover to the pole frame and to fasten the shingled panels together. Grip Clips remove the need for sewn seams or grommets that puncture the cover, which would allow rain to enter.

Durable Materials

The cover of our YurtDomes is made out of Shelter Systems’ super strong, waterproof, tear-proof woven rip stop film. The material is manufactured in three layers that are heat bonded together, adding even more strength. It is UV-stabilized to withstand up to 3 years of full sun exposure. This material will not rot or mildew, and effectively excludes rain, dampness, wind, cold, leaves and other debris. The cover is totally waterproof and breathable, making a rain fly unnecessary.

The frame of the YurtDome is constructed of strong, long lasting, resilient, UV-stabilized, Class 200,PVC tubing.

Light and Fresh Air

Shelter Systems’ YurtDome shelters are light filled and well ventilated. The translucent covering creates a bright interior, transmitting 60% of the light. Our 10′, 14′, 18′, and 20′ YurtDomes come with translucent windows above the doors, which allow more light through than glass, but create privacy as you cannot see clearly through them. These windows can be special ordered with clear vinyl windows that are completely see-through (see our Accessories page).

YurtDomes have several features that contribute to good ventilation and breathability. These domes have four evenly spaced flap doors, for good cross-ventilation and light. The door coverings close automatically so you can enter and exit quickly and don’t have to fumble with zippers. Because the panels of our domes are shingled, overhead ventilation is can easily be attained by inserting “ventilation tubes” between several panels (two vent tubes are included with each dome). When the vent tube is removed, the panels snap shut and are watertight. For maximum ventilation, the walls themselves can be rolled up, transforming the domes into an opened-arch form.

Shelter Systems’ YurtDomes are winter ready in case you get cold or wet weather. They do not require a fly or liner and are completely watertight and will not leak. They resist condensation build up because of their shingled construction drives out moist air by vapor pressure. The dome shape has minimal surface area for volume so it is easy to keep warm with a wood stove (installation instructions are included with each tent). If you plan on using your YurtDome in snow or windy conditions, read our Snow and Wind Warnings.

The YurtDome shape has other comfort features. The interior can be divided into “rooms”. The dome has more volume than a flat-sided tent meaning it feels, and is, more spacious. The shape is more heat efficient, using less fuel to heat it, and the heat circulates more easily, increasing comfort in cold weather. The cover of the dome is easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

A Shelter System

Shelter Systems’ YurtDomes come complete with poles, 12″ long high-quality Durapeg stakes, guy lines for use in strong winds, ventilation tubes, spare parts (Grips Clips and pole connectors) and a complete Shelter Systems’ Instruction Manual. Our manual gives details about floors, site selection, anchoring, cooling, winterizing, and stove installation. Shelter Systems offers Accessories  to enhance functionality and versatility of your YurtDome, including sunshades, floors, porches, mosquito net doors, and more.

Shipping and Storage

All Shelter Systems’ Geodesic YurtDome Shelters are shipped by UPS and pack up into compact packages that one person can handle, take as baggage on a plane, transport in a car or store in a small space.

You get a lot more volume for your money as you go up in diameter. When you step inside the 18′ yurt after being in the 14′, the 18′ feels twice as big. The 20′ feels twice the size of the 18′. This is because the extra feet in diameter extends out in all directions (including up) creating a large increase in volume. Since the surface area of the covering does not increase as rapidly as the volume, the larger domes are less expensive for the space you get. Our drawings effectively illustrate the different sizes we offer.