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In the Trees: Your PNW Treehouse Bucket List

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We visited the Nelson Treehouse Company’s B&B Treehouse point, along with a couple of other in-the-tree locations (the Forest House, Free Spirit Spheres, and -- at least in spirit -- the treehouse at Doe Bay) in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s a lowdown on getting high (up in the trees at least) along with a listing of other treehouses in the PNW you can rent.

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A painted rock from Free Spirit Spheres treehouse rentals British Columbia I am Most Alive in the Tall Trees

“Be in a Tree”…

…says treehouse builder, Pete Nelson.  His show, Treehouse Masters, has popularized treehouse “glamping” for kidults. This article is about treehouse rentals near me — that is treehouse rentals in Washington as well as treehouse rentals in OregonIdaho, and BC (to a lesser extent).

I visited the Nelson Treehouse Company’s Bed and Breakfast, Treehouse Point, along with a couple of other in-the-tree locations (Free Spirit Spheres, the Forest House and — at least in spirit — the treehouse at Doe Bay) in the Pacific Northwest.

Let’s visit those places followed by a long list of other treehouse rentals in the Pacific Northwest!

NOTE: We recently had to change our website format a bit so this formatting in this post isn’t as “nice” as it used to be — links where there were buttons, etc. Hopefully, all of the treehouses we have listed here are still open, but the post is due for a recheck!

There is something about being in the trees.  Perhaps it appeals to our primal nature, or a desire to revisit childhood. Memories of summers spent climbing trees, trying (unsuccessfully) to collect junk and boards around the neighborhood to build a tree fort, playing pirate – and sometimes falling and skinning a knee.

Perhaps your tree-climbing days are over, but now, fortunately, you don’t have to risk falling or skinning a knee to get up close to the leaves. “Glamping”—upscale camping – is in vogue these days as many of us aging children like to feel like we’re “in nature,” without actually roughing it.

Pete Nelson’s show “Treehouse Masters  ” has popularized treehouse glamping. More and more resorts, hotels, and Airbnb’s are offering treehouses – many of them upscale – as an option.

I revisited my childhood treehouse fantasies last summer by staying in a few of the best treehouses located a (relatively) easy distance from Seattle. Here they are, with a bunch more treehouses that I’m adding to my treehouse bucket list.

Here’s a lowdown on the high-up places we stayed followed by a listing of other treehouses around the Pacific Northwest that you can rent, including treehouse rentals in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and a couple in BC.

If you’re interested in viewing more photos of the treehouses we visited, there are links to galleries at the end of each section. Or you can click here to see a gallery of more photos from our treehouse visits.

Treehouse Point

The Treehouses · Tours · Staying There · THP Website

Treehouse rentals near me Treehouse rentals Washington State at Treehouse Point

First stop: Treehouse Point. That has to be your first stop if you have a goal of visiting treehouses, as it’s the prime spot for treehouse rentals in Washington. “Tree Whisperer” Pete Nelson’s treehouse B & B, Treehouse Point is situated on four acres in Issaquah/Fall City, WA near Snoqualmie. Treehouse Point offers six treehouses available for rent. One of them – Trillium – was closed during our stay

The treehouses themselves have composting toilets, but the nearby bathhouse has cozy cedar-lined bathrooms fitting with a rustic, PNW, treehouse-y theme.

The Nelsons have owned the property on which Treehouse Point sits since 2004. Formerly an auto repair shop, the main lodge now serves as both breakfast hall, gathering space, and also offers non-treehouse accommodations upstairs. On a cold, rainy, night you may even want to descend from your treehouse to sit by the fire with cocoa and a good book.

In 2020, the Nelsons will be opening another treehouse Bed and Breakfast – Treehouse Resort and Spa – an immediate add to my treehouse bucket list.

The Treehouses of Treehouse Point

Let’s look at the treehouses first, then we’ll get to tours and reservations:

Treehouse Signs at Treehouse Point Treehouse rentals near me treehouse rentals washington state

Temple of the Blue Moon

Temple of the Blue Moon Treehouse at Treehouse Point PNW Treehouse rentals near me treehouse rentals washington state

Inspired by the Parthenon, this “temple” is the one that always gets pictured when you see Treehouse Point. Blue Moon is a favorite for Instagram shots due to its suspension bridge leading to the treehouse. More Temple of the Blue Moon Photos

Trillium

Treehouse at treehouse point treehouse rentals in Washington State treehouse rentals near me

Trillium closed during my visit, so I didn’t get to see the interior, but what’s striking about this treehouse is its height – 16’.

Upper Pond

Upper Pond Treehouse at Treehouse Point PNW Treehouse Rental Washington State Treehouse Rental

This one boasts the most significant capacity of any of the treehouses, housing four.  During our stay, a family was staying there who was kind enough to invite us in for a closer look. The bunk beds are popular with the kids, and it features a rope pully to get your luggage up – because to get up in the treehouse, you’ll need to climb a ladder. More Upper Pond Photos

Nest

Nest at Treehouse Point PNW Treehouse rentals near me treehouse rentals washington state

Nest was our nest at THP.  Bird-themed, as its name would suggest, it’s the smallest of the treehouses, but would make a great solo writers’ retreat or a cozy “nest” for you and your lovebird. There is a tiny composting toilet outside the treehouse in case you have a nighttime emergency, but otherwise, you’ll want to climb down and go to the plumbed bathrooms. More Nest Photos

Bonbibi

Bonbibi at Treehouse Point Pacific Northwest Treehouses Washington State Treehouses

Bonbibi was a Hindu guardian of the forest and, I suppose, you can act in her stead and guard the forest in this high-up gem that features a lower deck. More Bonbibi Photos

The Burl

The Burl at Treehouse Point Washington State Treehouses Pacific Northwest Treehouses

This one is popular with the honeymoon crowd both because of its river view but – I think more importantly – because it has a half bath with an actual plumbed toilet. The climb up to the bedroom is steep, but there is no need to make a nighttime choice between a run to the bathrooms or using a composting toilet. More Burl Photos

The Hermitage and Bird Blind

THP removed these treehouses of the past because their proximity to the river didn’t comply with King County codes. But the sign for the “ermitage” can still be found in the forest near the river.

Hermitage Sign Treehouse Point Pacific Northwest Treehouses Washington State Treehouses

Staying at Treehouse Point

Reservations

Staying in a treehouse doesn’t come cheap – prices aren’t available on the site; they ask that you email them for current availability and price details as availability and prices vary.

Be sure to book early. Treehouse Point is the prime location for treehouse rentals in Washington (and well beyond WA as well). Reservations fill up rapidly and, especially during the summer, weekends fill up for weddings, especially if you’re interested in booking The Burl.

For us, one night in Nest was in the $300 range and we were very fortunate to find a one-night reservation at the last minute.

Tours

Treehouse Point Tour Group Treehouse rentals washington treehouse rentals near me  Pacific Northwest Treehouses Washington State Treehouses

However, if you want to check out the treehouses at Treehouse Point without staying the night, you’re in luck – they offer small group tours. Tours are popular and draw visitors from all over (I was one of the few locals in my tour group), so reservations are a must. The cost is $25 for a one-hour tour. New tour dates for the month open up at 2 PM Pacific Time on the first Tuesday of the previous month.

WiFi

Free Wi-Fi is only offered in the lodge. Make this a time to unplug and disconnect from your devices (though you’ll be very tempted to Instagram here) and practice some “mindful travel.”

Food

You’ll have to get dinner in town. Fortunately, there are plenty of restaurants in nearby Snoqualmie (see below). But there are snacks, cocoa, and a basket for making (indoor) S’mores in the lodge in the evening, and breakfast in the morning is delicious, served up by our gracious host, Bird. Breakfast is served at the grand table in the lodge with other treehouse-dwellers. I would provide photos, but I had my spouse reminding me to be polite and put away the camera.

Toilets

Cedar Lined Common Bathroom at Trehouse Point Pacific Northwest Treehouses Treehouse rentals in  Washington State Treehouses

The call of nature is a concern at many of the treehouse locations as plumbing a treehouse presents its own set of challenges. Only one of the treehouses at THP has a plumbed toilet. Most have composting toilets so it’s best to use the main toilets as much as possible, especially if staying in Nest.

Fortunately, the bathrooms are lovely, cedar-lined things, fitting with a rustic treehouse resort.

The Lodge

Though you’ll want to spend most of the time hanging out in your treehouse (that’s why you came, isn’t it?) the lodge is a comfortable place to sit by the fire on a cold evening, read a book, play a game, and have a cup of cocoa or tea.

Other Services

If you’re into Yoga or TaiChi or want a massage, all are available – but you’ll need to check the schedule and arrange it in advance.

Yoga Sign at Treehouse Point Treehouse rentals washington state

In Town

If hanging out in your treehouse, sitting by the pond, or hiking down by the river isn’t enough, there’s plenty to do in nearby Snoqualmie.

For dinner, we’ve eaten at Woodman Lodge, a restaurant that’s situated in a 1902 fraternal hall and has mid-priced casual American fare. If you want pub fare, the Snoqualmie Brewery and Taproom is the place to go. If you want fine dining, you can head over to the Salish Lodge (another one of my favorite PNW luxurious getaways). The Salish Lodge also offers the traditional Snoqualmie Falls Lodge breakfast (though it appears they’re not calling it that anymore), but you’ll be wanting to eat at the Treehouse Point Lodge during your stay – put that one on the to-do list for another time.

For more hiking, take the hike down to Snoqualmie Falls or, if you’re into trains, visit the Railroad Museum which offers train rides on weekends during the summer. We’ve also taken summer bike rides from Snoqualmie to Remlinger Farms and back — time it right and you can stop and pick berries en route.

If you’re interested in Treehouse Point, the documentary…Treehouse Point chronicles Pete Nelson’s efforts to build the treehouse resort. You can watch it on Amazon Prime.

And if you’re more of a reader and/or a DIY-er than a watcher, Pete Nelson’s own book about the basics of treehouse construction can be fun to peruse — even if you don’t aspire to build your own treehouse. Click Here For More Photos from Treehouse Point

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Free Spirit Spheres

The Spheres · Reservations · Dining · In the Area

The Free Spirit Spheres Office Round Treehouse rentals in British Columbia

If you want to stay in a truly unique treehouse, this is your place! The spheres live in a magical wooded facility in Qualicum Beach, BC near Nanaimo. I understand, though, that they are looking to relocate to a larger property to expand, so this article may need an update shortly. Franchising is also, apparently, in the works, for those who want to open a sphere resort of their own.

The Spheres

There are three spheres with free spirit here: MelodyEryn, and Luna.

Melody

Melody Sphere at Free Spirit Spheres Treehouse rentals near me treehouse rentals british columbia

This fiberglass sphere was our sphere of choice due to availability and the fact that she could house both of us, though space is, of course, a bit cramped unless someone accompanies you with whom you feel very comfortable. The fold-down Murphy bed was very comfortable, and the window seat by the round window makes a cozy place to sit, write, and listen to the rain come down.

Melody, I think would make a great writing space for a solo writers’ retreat – she features built-in speakers and fold-down tables for eating or writing. However, I did find wi-fi (and LTE) coverage spotty here so that it would be an excellent place for a disconnected, device-distraction-free, writing retreat.

What’s it like staying in Melody? I am frequently comforted by the sound of rain, and visiting in Melody during a rainstorm gave Melody the chance to live up to her name. In a gentle wind, or with motion, Melody gently rocks which is, at first, a bit disconcerting but then you get used to it. They do give rules about conditions that will necessitate getting down from the sphere.

Nearby there is an outhouse.  Graffiti here offers some good advice:

More photos of Melody

Eryn

Eryn at Free Spirit Spheres British Columbia Treehouse Rentals

Eryn is a wood sphere with a spiral staircase that can sleep two, and potentially, a third in a loft bed. More photos of Eryn

Luna

Luna is the newest sphere – I was fortunate to be able to take a peek at it before the next inhabitants arrived. This one is a gem, featuring a bed with a hydraulic lift, though we didn’t find it too challenging to get Melody’s down. More photos of Luna

The Property

Like Treehouse Point, the spheres’ property has a pond which makes a nice area to get out and walk when It isn’t raining.  When it is, the covered porch by the bathrooms makes a nice place to sit, watch the rain, and, if you’re lucky, watch baby birds in a hummingbird’s nest (though that was likely to be a special treat that happened to occur during our visit).

However, this may be out of date soon as when we visited they were looking to relocate in the near future.

Each sphere has a comfortable, individual, bathroom in this building, so you don’t need to worry about sharing or hogging a one during your stay. Click Here For More Photos from Free Spirit Spheres

Reservations

You can check their calendar online to start the reservations process – but actual reservations are made by phone. They telephoned to let me know when reservations would open up for summer (in the spring), but reservations fill up fast, so you need to call them back promptly to get your first choice.

In truth, I was booking because I wanted to stay in the spheres, but it happened to be close to our anniversary, so I booked a package with a treat basket. There was a LOT of food, and it got us through our first night in the sphere, and breakfast too. 

Dining

Cuckoos Trattoria in Coombs, BC

But, otherwise, there is no restaurant by the Spheres, so you’ll need to go into town to eat. We didn’t stay long enough to sample every restaurant in town, but for dinner, a restaurant we’d recommend is Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria in Nearby Coombs. It’s located in the lovely Old Country Market — so you might want to budget some time for shopping.

While you’re in Coombs, you might want to visit Goats on the Roof. Yes, it’s a touristy gimmick, but it also has a grocery with a good cheese selection and a store with a bunch of various (and reasonably priced) household items and toys. I didn’t see any goats initially and almost asked where they were. I’m glad I didn’t. They are precisely where the name implies.

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If you’re interested in fine dining during your stay, Bistro 694 in Qualicum beach was excellent, both in the menu and atmosphere. We arrived early and were lucky to be able to get in without a reservation – but you should make one as tables fill up fast.

In The Area

Other than goats on a roof, while you’re staying at the Spheres you might also want to visit Qualicum Beach if weather permits, go hiking in Heritage forest, or visit the town of Qualicum beach if browsing shops is your thing.

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The Forest House

The Forest House on Orcas Island Like a Treehouse and You can rent it

The Forest House on Orcas Island (I love it so much I also mentioned in this post) is, hands down, one of my favorite places to get away from it all and relax. Currently, it’s renting on Trip Advisor for $175 per night. (Update! As of July 2022, it’s still listed as being on Flipkey by Trip Advisor…but I had difficulty locating it online. I believe the price has increased significantly since our stay).

Until 2016, this gem of a place bore the name “The Hobbit House” for its distinctly…hobbity…features. But, unfortunately, the word “Hobbit” turned out to be trademarked by Middle Earth Enterprises, and Suzanne, who owns the Forest House (Can I buy it? I want to live there.) had to change the name.

But hobbits live in holes in the ground, and this place is, distinctly, in the trees. Perhaps, it would be better suited to inhabitants of Rivendell, and a name change was in order. Technically it’s not an actual treehouse. Pillars support the structure, but its place among the trees at least earns it at least the title of an honorary treehouse. It earns its place as one of my favorite treehouse rentals in Washington State!

Kids will appreciate the tower, as will kidults who still have a Disney princess fantasy.  Writers looking for a retreat will also enjoy the tower, which has a desk area with a computer hookup.

Tower Deck at the Forest House on Orcas Island pacific northwest treehouses

The tub room features a deep sunken tub, perfect for a bubble bath, with a high ceiling, surrounded by plants.

The Tub room at the Forest House on Orcas Island

The kitchen is small but as charming as the rest of the house, and we spent plenty of time on the large wraparound deck. And the house is mostly very private – except that I encountered a drive-by photographer, who apologized when I walked out and quickly drove away.

More Forest House Photos