Commune with Nature: These Are the Greatest Treehouse Hotels in the U.S.

Tired of the typical hotel accommodations? You may want to opt for a stay in a treehouse. After all, who doesn't love a room with a view? If you thought treehouses were rickety pieces of lumber crafted into backyard forts for kids, then think again: Treebones Resort located on California's breathtaking Big Sur Coast offers yurt-style accommodations while TreeHouse Point in Washington state is populated with cabins with well-outfitted interiors. These retreats often come with indoor spaces that are heated and provide bedding, towels, and other room amenities that you would receive with a typical hotel stay.

Not only are treehouse hotels praised for their novel design, they often have a sustainable edge. Building tree houses requires no clearing of the ground around the grove, and owners (and their booked guests) have a stake in the health of the tree that supports the lodging. This, along with guests' close proximity to nature during their temporary residence, leads the way for people to connect with the natural world around them. It's a fast-growing trend that branched out globally from faraway places like India, New Zealand, and Laos; now, it takes root in the United States.

Pack up the kids for a family trip to the ultimate treehouse in Swiss Family Robinson style. Or, venture alone into the trees with the intention of unwinding. Here, we've hiked into the woods to uncover a tour of such properties across the nation. Climb up to the canopy, and get ready for your next adventure.

Missouri Treehouse Cabins has several treehouse-style cabins to choose from (upwards of 15) that can accommodate two to eight guests. Located in southern Missouri on 500 acres of secluded property, these cabins are situated in the Mark Twain National Forest, with cabin decks overlooking the banks of the North Fork of the White River, offer the perfect balance between modern amenities and a check-in with nature. These cabins, with their spectacular views, are open year-round for you to enjoy, regardless of the season and even in the dead of Midwest winters.

Celebrating its 30th year of operation this year, Out'n'About Treehouse Treesort offers 13 different treehouses that people can rent out for overnight stays, including one of the largest concentrations of treehouses and platforms in the world.  They are open all year round and are a family friendly, one-of- a kind "treesort" that offers fun for kids of all ages. To enhance the thrill of staying in a treehouse, the company offers various activities to enjoy during your stay from ziplines to horseback riding that are sure to be a fun experience for everyone.

Winvian boasts 113 acres that can be your personal playground during a stay, but with its quaint Connecticut hideaway suspended 35 feet above the forest floor, you may just want to stay up there for the duration of your stay. It's self-described as "a childhood fantasy turned grown-up haven... like climbing into a wonderful, well-kept secret, a place of vivid colors and eclectic angles." If you like the sound of that, you'll love everything else this treehouse has to offer; a king-sized bed on the first floor, a gas fireplace, steam shower and Jacuzzi. On the second floor there is a lounge with a gas fireplace, a full bar and a spectacular treetop view of the New England forest.

Built in 1893, the Wheatleigh was designed after a 16th century Florentine palazzo. For many years, the largest portion of the 380 acres of Wheatleigh estate was used as a working farm. The property's Aviary Suite is two stories and connected to the main house by a walkway. The lower floor features a sitting room and a terrace, while the second floor boasts a king-size bed, as well as a spacious bathroom with a soaking tub and separate shower. Guests can take in the views of the Berkshire Mountains from its signature restaurant, The Portico, which offers elevated comfort foods showcasing the freshest ingredients. A state of the art fitness center, a secluded heated outdoor pool, tennis court, massage room, and golf course are available onsite, and guests can also enjoy New England's world-renowned fall foliage with hiking and bike trails nearby.
 

Be prepared to step into your own personal fairytale during your stay at TreeHouse Point. The magic happens right at check-in, when the concierge hands you a map to your treehouse with codes to the front gate and your room. Then, guests are invited to explore the grounds as they make their way to their arboreal abode. TreeHouse Point is home to six iconic, rentable treehouses nestled in a lush forest 30 minutes east of Seattle, making it the perfect place to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The property features a central lodge, a multi-purpose event space, and two cedar-lined bathhouses. All  indoor spaces are heated, and they provide bedding, towels, and other room amenities that you would receive with a typical hotel stay.

Located on California's breathtaking Big Sur Coast, Treebones Resort offers 16 yurts —a tent-like circular fabric structures with wood lattice frames. At Treebones, the yurts are spacious and tastefully furnished to include plush queen-sized beds with linens and cozy comforters, a heat source, electric lighting, and a hot-cold sink vanity. The floors are polished pine wood with French doors that open to a generous redwood deck with spectacular coastal views. A short walk away are the showers and restroom facilities, as well as a pool and hot tub. Guests can enjoy fantastic views as well as whale watching and yoga classes. 

River's Edge Treehouse Resort offers quite the lofty perspective with its six treehouses, all with king bed, heat and air conditioning, large bathroom, satellite TV, WiFi, and small appliances. Guests will find rockers and a gas grill on each deck. Also on the property are two stocked fire pits, one located down by the river. The property is located near restaurants and shopping, four lakes, hiking, waterfalls, whitewater rafting, and world-class touring roads—Tail of the Dragon, Moonshiner 28, and Cherohala Skyway—which makes this property a perfect hub for outdoor enthusiasts. At this "back to nature" setting, it won't take long for you to connect with and feel one with the towering trees that abound. 

The Mohicans is committed to being a destination where "the extraordinary happens" and with the opening of it's brand-new treehouse, El Castillo, guests don't have to work too hard to create a getaway with moments to savor. The Mohicans offers seven authentic treehouses, two of which were designed by treehouse designer and star of Discovery Channel's Treehouse Masters Pete Nelson. These accommodations feature indoor bathrooms and outdoor showers that allow guests to create the perfect balance between courting nature and being comfortable. 

At Edisto Treehouses, guests have their choice of the small, medium, or large treehouse, which can sleep four, six, or eight guests respectively. The picture-perfect ideal of "roughing it." All properties are located in a rustic and secluded area of Canadys, South Carolina, and visitors must pack and transport their own food and supplies, including sleeping bags, pillowcases, and towels. If the thought of staying in a secluded treehouse on the edge of a quiet and tranquil river peninsula that borders a scenic creek seems appealing to you, then go ahead and book, as the accommodations are available March through November of every year.