Tree houses aren't just for kids anymore. These cozy vacation rentals are perfect for intrepid couples or families looking for that Swiss Family Robinson experience.
From a Montana tree house wrapped around a Douglas fir to an off-the-grid escape in Florida, these are the best tree house vacation rentals in the USA.
Luxury Treehouse Retreat in Halfmoon, Montana
Located at the gateway to Glacier National Park and Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort near Halfmoon, Montana, the epic Luxury Treehouse Retreat is beautiful in all seasons, with living tree trunks passing through the living spaces, expansive views from the windows and balconies to get even closer to the canopy. The whole place is centers on a spiral staircase wrapped around a giant Douglas fir tree. Outside, you have access to 5 acres of private forest complete with cross-country ski trails in winter and places to walk through nature the rest of the year.
The 7 best cabin rentals this ski season for every budget
Winvian Farm in Morris, Connecticut
Set on the idyllic Winvian Farm in Morris, Connecticut, this 780-sq-ft tree house is as luxurious as it gets. Set 35 feet above the New England forest floor, the tree house features two levels, one with a private jacuzzi, a king bed and steam shower, and one with a fireplace, a full bar and wide open windows featuring the best of the Connecticut landscape. Guests lucky enough to partake in the Winvian Farm experience are also invited to dine at the five-diamond restaurant located on-site.
The Mohicans in Glenmont, Ohio
The Mohicans is a unique collection of seven tree houses in the heart of Ohio's Glenmont forest. Built with sustainability in mind, each new dwelling – save for the largest guest cabin – was constructed using passive solar, radiant heat, recycled and reused materials, local labor, and on-demand hot water. The owners, couple Laura and Kevin Mooney, remain dedicated to the principles of Leave No Trace as well as other sustainability initiatives, all while providing guests with top-tier tree house amenities and access to the unsuspectingly beautiful region of Glenmont.
Sleep among the trees in a new Ohio treehouse village
Primland Resort in Dan, Virginia
If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping in the Blue Ridge Mountains, then Primland Resort should be the next destination on your outdoor bucket list. With traditional offerings including a main lodge and alpine cabins, this iconic resort also offers tree houses for visitors who’d rather experience the gorgeous Blue Ridge wilderness from above. Well-designed and constructed securely around strong native tree trunks, these tree houses provide sweeping views of the Kibler Valley. Each tree house offers something slightly different in terms of views, but the amenities are constant: full bedrooms, bathrooms and most importantly a private deck from which to view all that the iconic region has to offer.
A fall road trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains of the USA
Peaceful treehouse with ocean view in Aptos, California
If you’re going to head for the trees, you might as well do it in style, and this architectural gem of a tree house just outside of Santa Cruz offers a picture-perfect getaway. Nestled atop a valley overlooking the ocean near Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, multiple beaches and the San Jose airport, this modern elevated tree house has a fully stocked kitchen, upscale contemporary furnishings and a patio overlooking both forest and coast, with a hammock ideal for taking it all in. It’s best suited for a low-key escape: parties are strictly prohibited, quiet hours must be observed and no amplified music is allowed outside.
Treetop Hideaways in Flintstone, Georgia
Not far from some of Chattanooga and North Georgia's best natural areas, such as Lula Lake and Cloudland Canyon, and at the foot of Lookout Mountain, sits Treetop Hideaways, a unique arboreal retreat with a lot of character. Crafted from salvaged materials to high sustainability standards, with beautiful details including a floor lined with pennies and towering industrial windows, Treetop Hideaways are a unique blend of rustic and luxury. But because Treetop Hideaways are so close to downtown Chattanooga and the trendy St. Elmo neighborhood, there are also conveniences like gigabit-speed internet and climate control that are almost as magical as sleeping in a tree.
The best city parks in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Adirondack tree house retreat in Middle Grove, New York
A rustic escape in the foothills of the Adirondacks, not far from Saratoga Springs, this cozy tree house retreat provides a homespun sense of peace, quiet and natural beauty alongside creature comforts like an outdoor kitchen and a private bath, both of which are set apart from the accommodations. A spiral staircase leads upstairs to a sleeping nook with a double bed and a loft. A footbridge over a babbling brook takes you to a fire pit, where you can roast marshmallows to your heart’s content.
Top spots for outdoor activities in the Adirondacks
Tree Tops in Asheville, North Carolina
If your tastes run more contemporary than rustic, the tree house at Tree Tops in Asheville, North Carolina, is just the thing, with three levels of sophisticated style and stunning views. The real centerpiece of the place is a midcentury modern circular fireplace where you can cozy up in the fall and winter, at least when you aren't in one of the six bedrooms, four baths, the ping-pong-equipped game room or out on the deck.
The best time to visit Asheville
Treehouse Cabin Retreat in Old Town, Florida
If you’re looking to disconnect, the Treehouse Cabin Retreat near Florida's Old Town is the place. There’s no wi-fi here, but there are plenty of offline activities to occupy your time. Located northeast of Cedar Key and northwest of Gainesville with two state parks nearby, this Sunshine State getaway comes stocked with board games for a rainy day, but given the surroundings, you won’t want to stay indoors. Hop around to the area’s assortment of natural cold springs and go fishing, swimming and boating on the Suwannee River. At the end of the day, gather around the campfire to recap your adventures.
Where to find the best activities on the water in Florida
River Road Treehouses in New Braunfels, Texas
Ensconced in 80-foot cypress trees, the Whippoorwill Haus at River Road Treehouses in New Braunfels sits in the heart of Texas Hill Country right by the Guadalupe River. To reach your tree house, you cross a 100-foot-long wooden bridge that wraps around established hardwoods on the banks of a seasonal creek bed. Inside, you'll find a comfortable living and entertaining space and spiral staircase to a sleeping loft. Outside, you'll find prime trout fishing along 400 feet of private river access, complete with hammocks, picnic tables and fire pits. If fishing isn't your thing, you can rent a tube or kayak nearby for a day's paddling.
Road-tripping through Hill Country: Texas’ up-and-coming vineyards
Summit Prairie in Tiller, Oregon
You’ll have to plan ahead and move quickly if you want to stay at Summit Prairie: the booking window for this house in the clouds opens for the season just twice each year, and competition is fierce, with hundreds of would-be guests vying for 60-some reservations. But if you manage to snag a spot, you’ll understand the frenzy. Anchoring a 40-acre meadow on private land, surrounded by Oregon's Umpqua National Forest, this updated take on an early 20th-century fire lookout tower offers room to breathe in spectacular environs. On the ground, there’s a wood-fired, spring-fed hot tub for restorative soaks and wildlife including deer, elk, bears and bobcats roaming free. Up above, there's a full kitchen with hot and cold running water, a cupola that sleeps two and a westward-facing deck for sunset views.
Inn The Ravine in Blue Ridge, Georgia
Inn The Ravine is a luxury tree house in Blue Ridge, Georgia, that overlooks National Forest land and has direct access to the famous Benton MacKaye Trail. Inside, the tree house features cathedral windows, skylights and an outdoor patio, as well as a main suite with its own screened-in porch and gas-lit stone fireplace, all in a sumptuous, Tolkien-esque style. There's another way to unwind that you won't find at many tree houses: a sunken hot tub on the main deck, as well as a gorgeous hanging wicker egg chair.
Private room in a tree house in Richmond, Rhode Island
To immerse yourself in nature without roughing it completely, this 150-sq-ft tree house in Rhode Island offers the best of both worlds. It’s secluded and well stocked with books, board games and wi-fi. The tree house has a wraparound deck overlooking serene wooded environs, a splendid perch for observing your avian neighbors, but guests also have access to the property’s shared amenities, including a heated pool with a slide, an outdoor kitchen, impeccably manicured gardens and a pool house with a bar, full bathroom, TV and more.
This article was originally published in October 2020.
You might also like:
Top lakes in the USA you’ve probably never heard of
Five most underrated family vacation destinations in the USA
We've visited 48 US states in a camper van – these are the 10 best
