Coming soon! The Refuge Yurt

Fall asleep to the sounds of crickets and frogs in the summer and wake up to the morning routines of rescued cows, goats, sheep, turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl, all living their best lives in their forever home.  Spend the afternoon exploring Pittsboro shops, or volunteer to help the animals by chopping vegetables, brushing goats, or setting up enrichments in the animals’ beautiful habitats, created through our unique approach of Animal-Centered Design. Then take a long nap before exploring the many vegan dinner options in nearby Chapel Hill and Raleigh-Durham or catching a show in Saxapahaw. 

Overnight stays at the Refuge allow us to offer behind-the-scenes access to the sanctuary and share our mission of compassion for all beings through vegan living and quality time with our rescued animal residents.  Our yurt rental is also perfect for a romantic escape, writing or artist’s retreat, or unplugged family trip. 

The Yurt features bunk beds with one queen and one full-size mattress, and a full-size air mattress is also available on request. Guests have access to bathroom facilities, including a hot shower, as well as a kitchenette, in a separate unit next door.


The Yurt at a Glance

  • Pricing: Weekdays and non-tour weekends are $139/night. For Tour Saturdays, we add $30.00 per overnight guest, which includes admission to the tour. We offer a discount of [EDIT] for stays longer than two nights.

  • Availability: The yurt will be available to rent during the following dates:

    • May 22-25 (Tour Saturday)

    • May 29-June 1

    • June 3-June 8

    • June 24-June 29 (Tour Saturday)

    • July 1-July 6

    • July 8-July 13 (Tour Saturday)

  • Perks: Guests can walk the Refuge grounds between 9 AM and 4 PM. For an added fee of [EDIT], you can also book a private tour of the Refuge!

  • How to Book: The yurt will be available soon on VRBO! At this time we cannot accommodate same-day rental requests.

FAQs:

Is the Yurt accessible?

At this time, both the Yurt and the house office (where restrooms are located) require the use of stairs to enter and exit, so this property is not recommended for any person with mobility issues. We’d love to explore alternative ways for you to visit the Refuge. If you have accessibility needs or questions, please contact us at info@piedmontrefuge.org.

Can I meet the animals?

Yes! Guests staying in the Yurt are encouraged to spend time with our residents by volunteering, booking a private tour, or staying during a Tour & Explore event. Guests are not allowed inside the animals’ enclosures under any other circumstances.

Can I volunteer while I’m staying in the yurt? Yes! While it’s not required, we encourage guests to sign up for a General Volunteering or Office shift, or, if you’re staying on Sunday, for Sunday Animal House Cleaning. Any of these volunteer opportunities will give you a chance to learn more about the behind-the-scenes workings of the Refuge. You can learn more and sign up for any of these shifts here. Keep in mind that children must be ten before they can volunteer, and they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. 

Can I bring my companion animal?

No, for the safety of all, no companion animals, including service animals, are allowed at the Refuge. 

Are children allowed to stay in the Yurt? 

Yes! All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while at the Refuge.  The Yurt is not childproofed and at this time we do not offer any infant bedding.

I have more questions! Who should I reach out to?

For more information, please contact our Education Director, Kate, at kate@piedmontrefuge.org