Situated on 80 beautifully wooded acres in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, Williamsburg Campground has been owned and operated by the Fout family for the past 50 years. Williamsburg Campground has campsites to fit every guest’s preference, including rustic tent sites, Deluxe Patio RV sites, yurts, and cabins.

Yurt Glamping at Williamsburg Campground

Appealing to guests who want to combine luxury with some of the more traditional elements of camping, yurts were a perfect addition to Williamsburg Campground’s selection of accommodations. Thanks to recommendations from peers in the outdoor hospitality industry, the Fouts found Pacific Yurts and the quality of the materials and construction made it an easy decision. According to the Fouts, their yurts never fail to bring a smile to guests’ faces and continuously provide lasting camping memories in the great outdoors. 

Building Their Yurts

According to the Fouts, a few advantages of using yurts as lodge accommodations for their business are their easy installation and maintenance, along with the singular glamping experience they provide. When they decided to build, they were able to install both yurts in record time thanks to the great product that Pacific Yurts offers. As the yurts were replacing two tent sites, they had to do a bit of prep work beforehand, including upgrading the electric service to accommodate the yurts and constructing platforms for them to be built on. While they had a bit of a learning curve on the first yurt, they quickly built the second yurt after figuring out how everything fit together. 

Much like an RV site, the yurts are each powered by a 50 amp electric panel, allowing plenty of power for a ductless AC/heat unit, mini-fridge, microwave, and any of the guests’ devices. Even with the rigors of commercial use, their yurts have held up well over the years and receive a deep clean inside and out several times a year to keep them looking fresh.

Thinking about starting a glamping business? Here’s why now is the perfect time.

Amenities and Attractions at Williamsburg Campground

The expansive campground offers several on-site events including themed weekends in season, a splash pad, a heated swimming pool, a 9-hole disc golf course, jumping pillows, a dog park, and a gravity rail. 

Each of the property’s yurts features electricity, heating and A/C, a queen bed with linens, a microwave, a mini fridge, and Wi-Fi. Outdoors you’ll find a fire pit, propane grill, and a picnic table. In addition, both shower and laundry facilities are available on-site.

Nearby attractions include the historic destinations of Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, and Yorktown Battlefield; outdoor adventures like sailing, golf courses, and scenic trails at York River State Park; and family fun at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.

Great American Direct: Expanding Their Glamping Business

After operating their campground for over 40 years, the Fouts found their next venture, a glamping-focused mattress and furniture company called Great American Direct, that provides products and solutions to the outdoor hospitality industry at factory direct pricing.

After researching how to increase camper nights in their own accommodations, they realized that providing better mattresses led to happier guests who stayed longer, came back more often, and left excellent reviews. Great American Direct first tests everything they sell on the campground before directly partnering with factories to create their products. What began with mattresses has expanded to include bed frames and other furniture, including composite plastic outdoor furniture, mattress protection, linens and pillows, rugs, and more. 

Advice for Prospective Yurt Owners

Now seasoned yurt owners, the Fouts share their top 3 tips for prospective yurt owners looking to build their own successful glamping business.

1. Invest in quality and comfort inside and outside the unit. Pacific Yurts are great and when appointing the unit, use quality bed frames and mattresses inside and comfortable furniture outside. 
2. Choose a location that enhances the charm of the accommodation. Be sure to include plenty of room for a complete campfire experience.
3. Reinvest in the accommodation. This goes for any lodging you may have. Putting a portion of the income back into the units means you will continue to profit from them for many years to come.

If you’d like to experience Williamsburg Campground for yourself, you can book online to reserve your stay.

Visualize Your Campground’s Yurt

If you’re interested in taking the next steps towards building a yurt for your business, get started by building a yurt with the 3D yurt builder tool and submit a quote.