As summer’s warmth transitions into a crisp fall breeze, Virginia’s landscape transforms into a brilliant palette of fiery reds, vibrant oranges, and golden yellows. Once the season’s beauty peaks between mid-October and early November, there’s no better way to explore the fall colors than an outdoor experience at one of Virginia’s top glamping accommodations. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Coast, here are the 15 best yurts and cabins for immersing yourself in Virginia’s spectacular fall foliage.
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Shenandoah Valley
Embrace Virginia’s gorgeous fall colors in one of the tiny cabins at Getaway House Shenandoah or Getaway House Shenandoah North. These well-appointed cabins have all the necessities, from a small kitchen to queen-sized beds and a large focal window, where you can observe nature from the comfort of your bed. With no Wi-Fi or strong cell reception, it’s a chance to unplug and enjoy the serene natural setting a stone’s throw from Shenandoah National Park. For longer stays, book one of the company’s multi-night bundles called Getaway Often Packs.
Set on a 19-acre hillside property just outside downtown Waynesboro, the Iris Inn is ideal for spotting fall foliage, just a short drive from Skyline Drive and the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway. The property offers 16 luxury rooms, cabins, and cottages, as well as a luxury spa and gourmet meals. When adventure beckons, you can explore the Shenandoah Valley, go horseback riding, hike to a waterfall, or even take a hot-air balloon ride for a bird’s eye view of the stunning landscape.
Experience glamping at its finest in two stunning custom wooden yurts. Shenandoah Yurt and Skyline Yurt feature open floor plans, vaulted ceilings, hot tubs, a washer-dryer combo, a wood-burning stove, a pool table, electric vehicle charging stations, and elevated decks. Perfect for families or small groups, each has two bedrooms with queen-sized beds, a king-sized sleeper sofa, and two semi-separate convertible sofa beds in the living room.
In Madison County, Rose River Farm offers three luxury yurts overlooking a secluded three-acre lake. Each yurt contains approximately 1,100 square feet of space, two bedrooms with two double beds, and a living room with a majestic 17-foot dome ceiling. The highlight of these yurts is undoubtedly the wall of windows and generous porch, which provide exquisite views of Old Rag Mountain. Outdoor activities at the resort include horseback riding, bird hunting, kayaking, or fishing for four different types of trout.
Southwest Virginia
Explore Park in Roanoke offers abundant outdoor activities, from soaring through the trees on the Treetop Quest aerial adventure course to walking along the miles of trails, such as the River Walk Trail, surrounded by tranquil woodlands and river frontage. The park has a campground called Don’s Cab-Inns Campground, where you can take in the beautiful fall foliage with a stay at one of its pod cabins, yurts, or RV sites, all near a bathhouse.
Perched high above the Dan River Valley, the 12,000-acre Primland Resort is even more spectacular during autumn. You can spend your days participating in several outdoor activities ranging from mountain biking to hiking or retreating to one of the resort’s luxurious treehouse cabins, cottages, and mountain homes, where stunning panoramic views of the colorful, mountainous landscape await. The resort offers several themed activities, including the Wine & Cookie class and painting experiences, as well as nightly fireside s’mores and stargazing at the onsite observatory. Golf enthusiasts will be delighted to tee off at Primland’s championship Highland Golf Course surrounded by a sea of beautiful autumnal colors.
Adjacent to its 28-room inn, Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards offers nine cedar yurts that blend luxury with the great outdoors. Each yurt has a kitchenette, comfortable living space, a large bathroom, and a skylight that makes it feel bright and airy. In the fall, you can wander the vineyard, sample delicious wines, or relax in the property’s peaceful surroundings. The hotel recently opened a new wellness spa with Appalachian-inspired treatments featuring regional gemstones and grapes from the vineyard. Every fall, the property offers seasonal and rotating events, which this year included the Wine Flight Package, consisting of a private helicopter ride and a picnic with a wine tasting.
Central Virginia
Spanning more than 3,100 acres, Lake Anna State Park is a stunning place to visit during fall, providing access to more than 15 miles of wonderful trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding from the park’s six camping cabins, four yurts, two six-bedroom lodges, and ten two-bedroom cabins. The park also hosts various fall festivals from September through November, offering pumpkin picking, cider sipping, and local food tastings.
The Retreat at Crabtree Falls and Montebello Camping & Fishing Resort in Nelson County offer mountain cabins, including authentic log cabins, with fully-equipped kitchens and ample space for guests to roam. In addition, The Retreat at Crabtree Falls has lavish glamping tents with rustic furnishings, luxury linens, and hardwood decks nestled by the edge of Lick Creek. Guests at both properties can embark on a moderately challenging 2.5-mile loop trail at Crabtree Falls, the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi. In addition to experiencing the immense beauty of the area, guests can also take a short drive to the Brew Ridge Trail, home to award-winning breweries, wineries, cideries, and distilleries, as well as explore the North Fork of the Tye River and the Montebello Fishing Pond.
A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Shenandoah Crossing Resort offers a variety of family-friendly accommodations, from traditional cabins to luxurious yurts, all equipped with plush beds, flat-screen TVs, elegant bathrooms, and fully-equipped kitchens. Whether you choose an open-plan yurt or a two-bedroom unit, you won’t have to sacrifice luxury, and the resort has a range of onsite activities and amenities, from hiking to wildlife boat tours on Lake Izac.
Virginia’s Coastal Areas
You may not consider Virginia’s coastal regions as a destination to experience fall foliage, but First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach is a marvelous place to go. Offering a unique setting with yurts and cabins set amidst cypress tree swamps, hardwood forests, and dunes, the park is an incredible place to experience the fresh scents of the forest while taking in sunrises over the ocean and the vibrant hues of the season. The park’s four yurts can comfortably accommodate four people with a queen bed, twin pull-out trundle, sofa, and dining table. However, there is no running water, electricity, or indoor cooking facilities. If you want something more lavish, the park has two-bedroom cabins with full kitchens, living areas, and bathrooms. The park is also one of the most historic sites in Virginia, where English colonists first landed in 1607 before settling at Jamestown.
Kiptopeke State Park, located on the eastern shore of Virginia, is situated along the migratory route of many bird species, providing an exceptional backdrop of evergreens, changing oak and maple trees, and deep blue waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Furthermore, the park’s location near the coast often results in a longer fall foliage season due to the moderating influence of the bay’s waters. Like First Landing State Park, Kiptopeke State Park offers four well-appointed yurts and two and three-bedroom cabins equipped with basic essentials. Whether you choose a yurt or cabin, you’ll have access to the park’s boat ramp, lighted fishing pier, picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, playground, and beach bathhouse.
This article first appeared on Virginia.org.
