These unique treehouses offer a blissful escape from everyday life, where guests sleep in the treetops and wake up to the sound of birdsong and the wind whispering through the leaves. Each of these epic stays has its own character and while some are opulent, many offer an affordable way to be a big kid for a few nights. Take a look at our favourite US sleeps up in the canopy.
This handsome one-bedroom, one-bathroom treehouse in Texas Hill Country is a 10-minute drive from Main Street Fredericksburg and 30-minute drive from the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, known for its giant pink granite dome. There are a few treehouses on the 10-acre farm but each one offers seclusion and privacy. Cosy up in the cute reading nook, soak in the outdoor bathtub on the upper deck and drift off to peaceful sleep in a comfy king-sized bed.
Tucked behind a home studio (which is also included in your rental), this eclectic treehouse has a 1950s Airstream that's converted into a cosy relaxing space along with an outdoor deck that has a ping pong table and wood-fired hot tub. There's a private bathroom and main bedroom in the studio. The airstream counts as the second bedroom as it has a pull-down bed – though only two adults can stay at one time.
This rustic, off-grid treehouse overlooks the Bull Run River and its steep-sided canyon. Set 30 feet (9m) above ground, the eco-friendly design means the tree can still grow and the wooden house is gently hugging its trunk. There's no shower and the toilet is the composting kind, set a little away, but despite feeling on the edge on the world, Sandy, with its pubs and cafés, is just a 10-minute drive away.
A cosy nook in Utah's Uinta Mountains, this is a remote treehouse with Wi-Fi and a few home comforts (hello Netflix, mini fridge and hairdryer). It's a year-round destination that's even prettier covered in snow, though a 4x4 or all-wheel drive vehicle with clearance is recommended and snow tyres and chains are mandatory during winter and mud seasons (November to May).
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Just a 30-minute drive from downtown Seattle, TreeHouse Point has seven cleverly designed treehouses set deep in the Pacific Northwest forest – the Temple of the Blue Moon is the original. A bridge sweeps above the forest floor to the hand-built cabin, where the layout has been designed to make the most of the views. There's a queen-sized bed, two reading chairs and a private balcony.
This magical treehouse, with its views of California's Silicon Valley, is nestled 14 feet high (4.2m) between sycamores growing through the living space. A little nature paradise on the edge of a big city, it sleeps four people in two queen-sized beds in the eaves. There's a spiral staircase to the front door and a ladder to the sleep lofts so you need to be fairly nimble.
This family-friendly 'treesort' is a complex of individually designed treehouse rentals alongside swinging bridges, swings, ziplines and a freshwater pool. Go hiking in the Illinois Valley and the nearby Redwood Coast and consider a visit year-round – off-season rates are cheaper and the whole place looks like a winter wonderland under snow. The 'suite' treehouse (pictured) has a kitchenette, bathroom, double bed, double futon and a small sleeping loft – it can be booked for up to six people.
This treehouse at Bluebird Farm is custom-built for an adults-only stay. Accessed by stairs and with a step ladder to the sleeping loft, the treehouse has a wraparound deck as well as a shared garden and the rest of the farm can be visited with the host. There's a kitchenette and a gas grill, plus an eco-toilet that works all year round. However, the shower and kitchen sink won't work in the winter months when the water freezes, so think rustic.
In the Red River Gorge Geological Area in the heart of Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, this observatory treehouse is one of a number of hand-built cabins in the treetops. Walkways and ladders connect the rooms, built on a swaying eastern white pine, and the bedroom has glass walls – additional guests can put up on the futon in the hammock lounge. There's a compost outhouse and you can take a shower in the campsite headquarters.
A pair of mirrored treehouses in the same complex as the Observatory Treehouse, these cabins were built on poplar and hickory trees and are connected by a suspended deck. One of the treehouses holds a sleeping area for up to five people (reached via a hatch) and the other has a kitchen with panoramic views. The bathroom is on the ground floor.
A one-bed treehouse in a bamboo forest, this beautiful place to stay is fully crafted from reclaimed antique materials. The pine is from a 120-year-old Atlanta home, the stained-glass is from the 19th century and the roof is South Georgia barn tin. There's a composting toilet in the treehouse and a marble bathroom with a walk-in shower in the main house. It's set on a working rescue farm so guests will be sharing their space with rare breed chickens, alpacas and llamas.
This eco-friendly treehouse is a tiny home in the trees where every effort has been made to use recycled or reclaimed materials. One of three treehouses and two hobbit houses on the Purposefully Lost property, it runs on wind and solar power and is designed as an escape from the stresses of the modern world. You can hike along the Mousam River, but this spot is best suited to fishing, kayaking and chilling in the hot tub under the stars.
One of seven Treehouses of Serenity, Sanctuary is a custom-made treehouse supported by tall white oaks. The stunning interior is more like a home than a cabin. There's a meticulously designed bathroom and a bedroom with a double bed and glass patio doors that open out to a balcony with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Two more guests can sleep on the sofa bed and there's a kitchenette.
Kukui Nut trees support and grow through the centre of this unique, hand-built cabin in the Hawaiian rainforest just a 15-minute drive from downtown Kona. The treehouse is on a farm at an elevation of 1,800 feet (549m) and evenings get cool so you can stay tucked in bed when you slide open the doors to the lanai (veranda). This is a luxury stay for two guests with a private bathroom and hot tub.
Set in idyllic 20 acres of maple trees, this tucked-away treehouse was constructed using local and recycled materials where possible (the windows are from a nearby schoolhouse). Cook on the propane camp stove or on the outdoor charcoal grill and listen to birds and play boardgames. Mobile reception is patchy and Wi-Fi only available at the main house, where the shower is – the treehouse has a composting toilet and limited water. Two guests sleep comfortably in the cosy loft.
Less of a castle and more of a handsome turret, you cross a drawbridge to access this quaint retreat in the forest, which backs onto a mountain. The nearest town is the one-time coal mining centre of Copperhill and the area is well-known for hiking, ziplining, rafting, tubing and horseriding. There's half a bathroom inside and you also get shared access to a climate-controlled bathhouse (there are two other treehouses on the grounds).
This glass-fronted treehouse on a family farm near the town of Perryville is perfect for two. There's a wide ramp which makes it wheelchair accessible and inside you'll find a kitchen and a king-sized bed with a skylight for stargazing. There are games, books and puzzles as well as a bluetooth speaker for tunes (you're in total solitude out here so turn it up loud). Really bad weather? There's a bunker storm shelter just nearby.
In rural Seminole County, this fun treehouse is part of the Danville community and was dreamed up by the owner Dan Shaw. There are a few adults-only accommodations on-site and it's a popular wedding venue too. The treehouse comes with a tree trunk lift and classic vehicles to whizz around the site in. Outside, there's a walk-in shower, a hot tub and a tiki bar.
This is one of the three treehouses at the 285-acre EarthJOY Village, where outdoor adventures including tree-climbing classes (in a harness) are offered. Set in beautiful woodland, this was the first treehouse to be finished by master builder Pete Nelson. It has an open-plan space with a woodburner and loft for the king bed (two small children can also sleep either on the couches or camp mattresses). There's a kitchenette and propane grill and firepit outside.
A charming treehouse in the leafy Lake Nona community on the outskirts of Orlando, there are loads of lovely home-from-home touches here, including a proper bathroom, comfy sofa, Nespresso machine and a 60-inch TV with all the streaming services you could wish for. You'll sleep in the loft space, reached by a ladder, and outside, a tree grows right up through the balcony.
This is the most unusual place to camp in every state and DC
This cosy treehouse, tucked between oak and hickory trees above a rocky outcrop, is perfect for watching the sun go down from the front porch. There's a bathhouse and an outdoor relaxation area separate to the dinky treehouse and you can either cook on the firepit or use the tiny kitchen in the treehouse. You're just a 15-minute drive from Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in Jefferson County, which the Appalachian Trail bisects, but there are plenty of smaller, more manageable walks to tackle.
Looking more like the prow of some fantastical ship, this majestic treehouse is truly special. Built from timber taken from the farm it stands on, it sleeps just two guests in a grand romantic bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows. Trails meander the grounds which are overlooked by the Blue Ridge Mountains and very little else. There's lake access if you want to take a dip and plenty of leisure activities – it's the perfect place if you're after peace and quiet.
On Sand Mountain, close to the town of Chattanooga just over the border in Tennessee, Whippoorwill Retreat Treehouse is a romantic two-storey getaway. It's a laid-back place that's reached by a golf cart, with a luggage lift to send up your bags. There's a gas firepit in the courtyard, floor-to-ceiling windows and a wraparound porch that make the most of the glorious night-sky views.
Another irresistible treehouse, this Washington state escape is surrounded by lush green forest – perfect for those looking to spend the days hiking, biking, fishing or even white-water rafting in the surrounding area. In the evening, there's a kitchen with all the essentials to refuel after the day's activities and a firepit to toast marshmallows. Then it's time to drift off to sleep in the king-sized bed in the loft.
Sleep nestled among the trees, where you'll fall drift off to the sound of coquí frogs chirping away and wake up surrounded by the stunning jungle scenery. Located on the outskirts of Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park, this secluded haven features a wraparound veranda with panoramic views over the rainforest, while the shower cascades with naturally caught rainwater.