Maine Forest Yurts
Glamping meets wilderness in Freeport's woods, where Mongolian-inspired yurts offer a unique overnight experience steps from L.L.Bean country.
Maine Forest Yurts offers something unexpected in L.L.Bean’s backyard: authentic Mongolian-style yurts tucked into the woods just outside Freeport village. These circular canvas structures deliver the romance of camping without sacrificing comfort—real beds, woodstoves for heat, and all the gear you need for a night in the Maine woods.
The yurts occupy a 100-acre property of forest and fields, close enough to Freeport for easy exploration but far enough to feel genuinely removed. It’s glamping done right: close to nature, thoughtfully equipped, and distinctly Maine.
The Yurts
What Is a Yurt?
Traditional yurts are portable round tents used by nomadic peoples across Central Asia for thousands of years. Modern yurts adapt the design for semi-permanent installation—circular frames covered with insulated fabric walls and topped with a distinctive domed roof.
The structure:
- Wooden lattice wall frame
- Insulated canvas covering
- Dome skylight at center
- Solid platforms and floors
- Wood-burning stove for heat
The Experience
Each yurt at Maine Forest Yurts is fully equipped for comfortable overnight stays:
Inside the yurt:
- Queen bed with linens
- Wood-burning stove
- Small table and chairs
- Propane lighting
- Cooking equipment
- Dishes and utensils
Outside:
- Private fire pit
- Picnic table
- Privy (outhouse) nearby
- Woods to explore
What It’s Not
This is not a hotel. Expect:
- No electricity (propane lights)
- No running water (outhouses, no showers on-site)
- No temperature control beyond the woodstove
- Rustling wildlife at night
- Genuine quiet
For some, these “limitations” are the entire point. For others, they’re dealbreakers. Know yourself before booking.
Practical Information
Location
The yurts are located in Durham, just minutes from downtown Freeport.
Getting there: Directions provided upon booking. The access road is unpaved.
Seasons
The yurts operate year-round:
Summer: Longest days, warmest nights, no fire needed for heat.
Fall: Spectacular foliage, cozy fires, perfect camping weather.
Winter: The full Maine experience—snow, woodstove, starry skies through the dome.
Spring: Mud season transitions to wildflowers and birdsong.
Rates and Booking
- Nightly rates vary by season
- Minimum stays may apply for peak periods
- Book through their website
- Popular weekends book far in advance
What to Bring
Provided:
- Bedding and linens
- Cooking equipment
- Dishes and utensils
- Firewood (limited supply)
- Basic lighting
Bring yourself:
- Food and drinks
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Appropriate clothing for season
- Toiletries
- Entertainment (books, games—no TV, no WiFi)
- Additional firewood in cold weather (for extended fires)
What Not to Expect
- Showers (plan accordingly)
- Cell service (likely minimal)
- WiFi
- Electricity
- Climate control beyond fire
The Experience
Arrival
You park at the designated area and walk to your yurt—a short path through the woods. The circular structure appears through the trees, canvas walls and domed roof distinctive against the forest.
Inside, the space opens up more than you expect. The lattice walls curve upward to the dome, where a skylight lets in natural light. The bed is made, the stove is cold (for now), and the quiet is immediate.
Evening
As darkness falls, you light the propane lamps and start a fire—in the stove if it’s cold, at the fire pit if it’s not. The yurt glows from within. Dinner happens by lamplight, perhaps something simple cooked over the fire.
Later, lying in bed, you look up through the skylight dome. If the sky is clear, stars appear in the circle of canvas—a private planetarium.
Morning
You wake to birdsong and the quality of light that filters through canvas. The fire has died; the air is cool. Coffee happens on the camp stove. The day stretches ahead: explore the property, head into Freeport, or simply sit and be.
Combining with Freeport
The Location Advantage
Maine Forest Yurts sits minutes from Freeport’s famous shopping district and outdoor attractions:
L.L.Bean: The flagship store is open 24/7. Browse outdoor gear, take a discovery course, or outfit yourself for your next adventure.
Outlet Shopping: Dozens of brand-name outlets line Main Street.
Wolfe’s Neck State Park: Hiking trails and coastal scenery just down the road.
Bradbury Mountain: A short drive to an easy summit with views.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1:
- Arrive at yurt, settle in
- Explore the property
- Dinner by fire
- Night in the woods
Day 2:
- Breakfast at yurt
- Morning hike at Wolfe’s Neck or Bradbury Mountain
- Lunch in Freeport
- Afternoon shopping or exploration
- Return to yurt for final night or check out
Who It’s For
Perfect For:
- Couples seeking romantic getaway
- Families with adventurous kids
- Anyone wanting to unplug
- Camping enthusiasts who want beds
- First-time glampers
- L.L.Bean devotees seeking the experience
Maybe Not For:
- Those requiring modern amenities
- Visitors uncomfortable without showers
- Light sleepers bothered by natural sounds
- Anyone with limited mobility (terrain is rustic)
- Those seeking resort-style service
Tips for the Best Experience
Before You Go
- Confirm directions and arrival procedure
- Shop for food and supplies in Freeport
- Check weather and pack appropriately
- Charge devices (you won’t be charging them at the yurt)
- Download entertainment (no streaming in the woods)
During Your Stay
- Embrace the simplicity
- Take a phone-free day
- Learn to manage the woodstove (it’s satisfying)
- Spend time outside—that’s why you’re here
- Go to bed early, rise with the light
Practical Tips
- Headlamps are easier than flashlights
- Extra layers are always welcome
- Bird and wildlife guides enhance the experience
- Books beat screens in this setting
- Take photos, but put the camera down too
The Point
Maine Forest Yurts strips away the noise—the screens, the climate control, the constant connectivity—and replaces it with canvas, fire, and forest. The yurt is warm when you make it warm. The night is dark until you light a lamp. The morning is whatever you make of it.
This kind of simplicity takes adjustment. The first hour, you might wonder where the outlets are. By the second hour, you’ve stopped caring. By morning, you’ve remembered something about quiet and presence that the regular world makes you forget.
Not everyone wants this. Not everyone should. But for those who do, a night in a yurt in the Maine woods delivers something hard to find: genuine rest in genuine nature, without the pretense of roughing it.
Maine Forest Yurts offers the best of glamping in L.L.Bean’s backyard—circular canvas shelters with real beds and woodstoves, set in private woods minutes from Freeport’s shops and trails. It’s camping for people who want the experience without the suffering, and unplugging for those who need an excuse to try.