Treebones Resort sits at 71895 Highway 1, South Big Sur — built and operated by the Handy family, who opened the yurt village in November 2004. Sixteen circular canvas yurts line the bluff above the Pacific. The property also offers autonomous tents, campsites, and specialty structures, but the yurts remain the signature stay: canvas, redwood, and ocean with nothing between you and the coast except deck railing.

Guests must be 13 or older. This is not a campground for young children.

What the Yurt Actually Is

Each yurt is a circular canvas structure on a private redwood deck perched above the Pacific. Standard units sleep two on a king bed with linens and comforter. Two larger family yurts accommodate up to four with two king beds divided by a fabric curtain.

Inside: polished wood floors, french doors, heating, electric lighting, and a sink vanity with hot and cold water. Outside: private redwood deck with Adirondack chairs and expansive mountain or ocean views. Most yurts require a short walk from parking; the front desk can arrange pickup for guests needing assistance.

Heated restrooms and showers are at the lodge, a one- to three-minute walk depending on yurt placement. The operator also runs onsite dining and pool access — details vary by season and reservation.

The property is off-grid: no cell service, WiFi limited to the lodge for basic use, and no EV charging.

Who Should Book

Couples and small parties with teenagers who want Big Sur’s coastal setting with a made king bed and private deck.

Photographers and Highway 1 travelers accepting cliffside exposure, canvas acoustics, and walk-from-parking logistics.

Consider autonomous tents instead when: You want the operator’s contemporary structure line rather than the circular yurt layout that has defined Treebones since 2004.

Canvas Reality on a Coastal Bluff

Yurts are tent-like structures. Interior temperature tracks the coastal environment despite heating. You will hear wind and ocean below the bluff. If you need guaranteed climate isolation and ensuite plumbing steps from the bed, hard-sided lodging inland may serve you better.

When a Tent Site Down the Road Is the Better Call

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park or Kirk Creek Campground — when you carry expedition-quality tent gear and secured a reservation months ahead. Public coastal sites deliver proximity to trails at a fraction of yurt rates.

Large groups or guests under 13 — Treebones limits atmosphere to couples, individuals, and small families with teenagers. Reunion camping and children under thirteen belong elsewhere.

For broader context on yurt vs. tent tradeoffs, see glamping campgrounds worth booking.

Booking Discipline

  • Two-night minimum standard; call for single-night exceptions.
  • Pack a flashlight for evening walks from parking.
  • Book family yurts early if sleeping four; inventory is two units among sixteen.

Treebones yurts are the correct reservation when Big Sur’s cliff edge and canvas authenticity justify premium rates over a public tent pad — and when every guest in your party is thirteen or older.