Looking to mix things up on your next family vacation? Maybe it’s time to branch out.
Around the world, there are treehouses–yes, real ones—that you can rent out for an overnight adventure your crew won’t soon forget. While some are rustic, others are expansive and even luxurious.
Watch the sun rise from the canopies and revel in family-friendly features like slides, swings, and ziplines. Go out on a limb and plan your glamping adventure with these 11 kid-friendly options.
Treehouse Grove
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll find this collection of eight luxury treehouses designed by “treehouse master” Pete Nelson. You can relax with the comforts of home—including a dishwasher and air conditioning— while surrounded by mountain beauty and wildlife. The treehouses sleep between four and 10 people. After a day of hiking the country’s most visited national park or exploring Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, unwind in the communal hot tubs then retreat to your private perch. treehouse-grove.com
The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue
Glenmont, Ohio
Nestled off the grid (read: no cell service) between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, the Mohicans Treehouse Resort offers a variety of sweet treehouse accommodations, including a Silver Bullet Airstream (!) surrounded by a wraparound porch, a tin shed, and a red model with a cathedral window. Some feature bridges, swings and outdoor showers. Celebs like it— Matthew McConaughey stayed in the Old Pine treehouse with his wife and kids. themohicans.net
Red River Gorgeous
Red River Gorge, Kentucky
Perched among the treetops in the Red River Geological Area, Red River Gorgeous lets you sleep under the stars in a treehouse, cloud dome or cliff-suspended accommodation. The Tradewinds twin treehouses are super family-friendly with a slide, a bathhouse and space for eight. Relax on the wrap-around porch, Zen out in the spring-fed hot tub or tell stories around the firepit after a day of hiking Kentucky trailheads. rrgcabin.com
The Canopy Treehouse
Sanford, Maine
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly, serene escape, the Canopy Treehouse is surrounded by verdant forest and was built using recycled and reclaimed materials. Climb the spiral staircase to your tiny treehouse and savor the sound of birdsong in the morning. Enjoy board games, watching movies on the projector, huddling around the warm wood stove or visiting the pond. Beach towns are about 30-45 minutes away from this picturesque retreat. airbnb.com
Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise
Junction, Oregon
In the woods of Southern Oregon, about an hour and a half from Giant Redwoods and the Oregon/Northern California coast, this treehouse bed & breakfast features three family-friendly abodes and serves up tasty morning meals. Whitewater raft, zipline, hike or spelunk around the local area. Play disc golf, climb trees or fish, then relax in the trees and feel like you’re in heaven. treehouseparadise.com
Meadowlark Treehouse
Columbia Falls, Montana
This two-story treehouse sits on wooded five acres within easy driving distance of Glacier National Park and Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort. Enter via the spiral staircase wrapped around a giant Douglas fir tree. Two outside decks make perfect porches for sipping coffee. With a full kitchen and master suite with queen Tempur-Pedic mattress, you’ll be far from roughing it. Toast s’mores over a campfire under the stars surrounded by natural beauty with your baby in your arms. airbnb.com
Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins
Elizabethtown, Illinois
Near the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois, Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins offers two treehouses for peaceful glamping with Mother Nature. Hammocks, high-speed internet, and a shop with ice cream, souvenirs and other goodies make for a comfortable stay. On-site activities include horseshoes, cornhole and tetherball. Chase waterfalls, hike the surrounding forest, swim in nearby ponds, then sleep in the trees. Some rooms are even intersected by tree branches. timberridgeoutpost.com
Rocky Mountain Treehouse
Carbondale, Colorado
This hand-built treehouse in the Rocky Mountains is situated on two acres above Cattle Creek. Four 100-foot spruce trees hold the cabin up towards the sky. A wood-burning stove, rock shower, private mountain garden and picnic table provide serenity in nature. It’s close to town, yet relatively secluded in the woods. Bring Fido for an additional fee. airbnb.com
Earth Joy Village
Brooksville, Kentucky
Located just an hour and a half outside of Lexington, Kentucky, Earth Joy Village is the perfect spot for forest bathing. Watch the simple pleasures of a tunnel slide or tree climb awaken your family’s playful side. Choose from three treehouses– one featured on Animal Planet with a swing and a ninja obstacle course, another with a swing bridge and tree in the living room, and the third with a slide, swing and kids’ zipline. There’s also a super cool “Love Bus” you can stay in to be surrounded by happy, hippy vibes. earthjoyvillage.org
The Treehouse
Orderville, Utah
Near Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks and not far from the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell you’ll find a 100-year-old cottonwood tree that has been turned into a treehouse—complete with a Hobbit door. Kids will get a kick out of climbing into these treehouse accommodations; but don’t worry, there are outside stairs too. See stars at night from the king size bed or pullout couch. There’s WiFi and DirectTV so you don’t have to miss out on your shows. Take the hosts’ slot canyon tours by day, then relax in the pool and hot tub down the road before retiring to your treehouse 16 feet off the ground. airbnb.com
Sanctuary Treehouse Resort
Sevierville, Tennessee
Opening spring 2023, Sanctuary Treehouse Resort will be the largest treehouse resort in the world, with 130 treehouses scattered across 40 acres in the Smoky Mountains. Feel as delighted as your children when you explore secret escape hatches, spiral slides and drawbridges. Peer at the stars from porch-mounted telescopes and slide drinks to your family members via a special chute. The resort is located on a golf course and was designed by a family who loved their backyard treehouse so much that they created this community for other families to enjoy. treehouseresort.com
