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Where childhood dreams and modern outdoor camping come together, the revival of the treehouse as a unique way to spend a night in some of the most beautiful parts of the Pacific Northwest (and beyond) is a travel style we’re more than stoked to get behind. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t want to sleep 20 feet off the ground, nestled between Douglas Firs, with Bald Eagles soaring around at eye level? (Spoiler alert: we all do. Especially you, Certfied Cabin Lover.)
Built in places that inspire adventure, independence, and a reason to slow down and reconnect with—you guessed it—the great outdoors, these sky-high structures are typically built with the utmost care to have a minimal impact on the environment around them. All in a beautiful setting, of course. To jump to our list of the best Washington treehouse rentals scroll on below. Stick around for a deeper dive into what makes a treehouse rental so special.
As part of a new living architecture trend, these modern treehouses are as wild and alive as the flora they’ve been built around. That means growth, movement, wind, rain, sounds, sap, and little critters are all a part of the experience. And a part of the evolution of the treehouse. As the tree grows and changes seasonally for many years to come, the structure has to be built with that in mind. But how?
That’s where building materials such as treehouse attachment bolts, or TABs, come in. These bolts are specially engineered to support heavy loads in living trees. Using bolts like this means the structure’s wooden beams can be kept at a distance from the bark and won’t pinch off the tree as it continues to grow. Girdles and chains that wrap around the circumference of trees are bad, whereas TABs that do not choke or damage their living hosts are good. As the tree continues to grow, the wood embraces the perimeter of the boss (the central component of the TAB) just like it’s giving it a little hug in a symbolic seal of approval.
Additional support for many treehouses, including many on this list, comes from struts and stilts that also help take pressure off the tree and the TABs. TABs can typically support anywhere from 8,000 and 10,000 pounds of force, depending on the type of tree they’re bolted into. Softer trees such as cedars and pines may support less force, while harder trees such as hickory and oak may support more force.
When it comes down to it, there are a million ways to design and build a treehouse, and we could go on about it until we’ve built a new unofficial Field Mag HQ in the woods. For now, we’ll spare you.
Instead, let’s start digging into our expertly curated list of the best treehouse vacation rentals. From a FM favorite, the Klickitat Treehouse, a 500 square foot alpine treehouse inspired by Scandinavian design, to a newly discovered secret and secluded hilltop retreat with views of the San Juan Islands that will take your breath away, these Washington state treehouses are the kind of socially distant escapes we could all use right about now.
And once you’ve gotten your fill of treehouses in Washington state and you’re ready to trade in fir forests for fresh and rugged coastlines, these Oregon coast rentals are worth checking into, too. Or, maybe it’s a floating village built among the trees in Texas that’s more your style…
13 Washington Treehouse Rentals Worth Traveling For
Beachfront Treehouse — Vashon Island, WA
Vibe: Where the Beac
Located 10-minutes from main street Vashon Island—just a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle—this beachfront beauty is tucked away on a secluded forested lot with views of the ocean. Elevated walkways, decks, lofts, and more nooks and crannies lend a playground-like feel to this group-friendly home, where all guests can find a corner to call their own.
Rate: $538/Night
Treehouse Whidbey — Clinton, WA
Vibe: Romantic Getaway
On the southern tip of Whidbey Island, four Douglas Fir trees support this stylish and minimalist retreat. Inside, you'll find a handcrafted interior with a full kitchen, dining nook, living room, and bathroom, and a ship ladder ascends to a sleeping loft. Outside, a propane grill sits ready for some BBQ, there's a fire pit, views from the wrap-around deck overlook the Puget Sound, and an on-site trail leads to nearby Possession Beach Park for some serious sunset-watching.
Rate: $364/Night
The Emerald Forest — Redmond, WA
Vibe: Tree Top Theater
Designed and built by Pete Nelson of Treehouse Masters fame, this incredible treehouse theater features climb-in accommodations like a large seating area, box seat open-air bods, elevated lounges, and hammocks all pointed to a 16' screen hanging amongst the cedar tree tops. Oh, and of course, there's a residential treehouse for rent nearby on the property accessed by 55' suspended walkway and featuring a kitchenette, 40 feet-high crow's nest, hot tub, and cozy interior all overlooking the neighboring nature preserve.
Rate: $538/Night
The Klickitat Treehouse — White Salmon, WA
Vibe: Scandinavian TreeHugger
Named for the indigenous Klickitat people native to the area, the Klickitat Treehouse is equal parts inviting and heart-warming. A special place for nature lovers—and lovers of Scandinavian design—the unique treehouse sits 20 feet off the ground and is surrounded by 15 acres of evergreen forest. There is no Wi-Fi at the treehouse rental. Instead, guests are invited to truly sink into their new tree-filled surroundings and embrace the warmth of the woods like the soul-level embrace they didn’t know they needed. Plenty of hiking and mountain bike trails nearby help, too.
Rate: $410/Night
Pleasant Bay Lookout — Bellingham, WA
Vibe: American View-ty
Despite sitting not far from your host’s home, which oddly enough peers over the treehouse, and with a bathroom in said host’s house, the Pleasant Bay Lookout is cool enough we’re willing to look the other way on those tiny details. (You win some, you lose some, right?) Overlooking the Salish Sea, this one-room, 121 square foot treehouse has a modern aesthetic and an unrivaled cool factor we still can’t get over. With most of the build being handcrafted by the owners or locally sourced, the treehouse also features a 110V plug-in for electric cars, and the hosts offer a discount to anyone who arrives on bike or foot.
Rate: $175/Night
Hansel Creek Gust Treehouse — Peshastin, WA
Vibe: Calling All Explorers
Settled 20 feet above Hansel Creek, the Gust Treehouse is a light and bright rustic escape where the sounds of nature are the best soundtrack you could ask for. Sit on the patio while the creek babbles below or explore the 150 acres the treehouse sits on—don’t forget your snowshoes and skis in the winter and your mountain bike and hiking boots in the summer. Pan for gold in the creek or head out in search of the mineshaft on the property—it was hand dug in the early 1900s by the treehouse owner’s great grandfather.
Rate: $236/Night
Sasquatch Cabin — Snohomish, WA
Vibe: Forest Bathing Bliss
A two-story treehouse getaway complete with a soaking tub and stone fireplace? Now that’s what adult treehouse dreams are made of. And our kind of—quite literal—forest bathing. Built on posts to be kinder to the trees supporting it, it’s all about finding your bliss here. Whether that means hiking the local trails, hitting the Centennial Trailhead and biking into Snohomish, or you’re just looking for somewhere great for birdwatching and stargazing, this luxury treehouse getaway is it.
Rate: $277/Night
Treehouse Point — Fall City, WA
Vibe: Magic Mornings in the Making
Just 30 minutes outside of Seattle, choose from one of the hotel’s seven treehouses as your lodging for the night in Fall City. While there is no room service and cooking is not allowed on-site (aka be sure to pack and prep wisely for this outdoor escapade), there is a morning breakfast service available in the nearby lodge. Additionally, be sure to pack wisely. These treehouses are in a temperate rainforest environment where the weather is equal parts magic and manic.
Rate: $325/Night
Secluded Treehouse in the Mountains — Goldendale, WA
Vibe: When Nature Calls
A loo with a view 18 feet above the ground for when nature calls might be the kind of private bathroom we never knew we’d appreciate so much until becoming an adult. Who knows, maybe the deer, elk, turkey, bears, and cougars that call this area home will keep you company while you take care of business. Secluded and with amazing views of Mount Hood in the distance, don’t worry. Those are the only guys that will keep you company (if you’re lucky) during your stay.
Rate: $130/Night
Treehouse w Panoramic Views — Olympia, WA
Vibe: Tiny in the Trees
Thanks to an old-growth cedar that also acts as the treehouse centerpiece, this unique stay sits on the back of the host's property, whose house can be seen in the distance (for better or for worse). Close to Mount Rainer, choose to adventure as big or as little as you desire. There are back wood paths that meander through hundred-year-old grand firs and old-growth just outside your door. At 195 square feet, a ladder up to the treehouse with a weight limit of 220 pounds and a maximum height in the sleeping loft of 5’9” means this cozy cabin has its quirks, but that’s half the adventure of treehouse glamping, right?
Rate: $178/Night
Squirrel’s Nest Treehouse — Redmond, WA
Vibe: Feeling Peaceful, Might Book an Extra Night
At 280 square feet of pure treehouse bliss, and with two floors and two balconies nestled between two fir trees 15 feet above the ground, you are quite literally in a squirrel’s nest in the sky. The light wood interiors, fireplace, television, and coffee maker will make you forget there’s no hot water or shower at this tiny weekend getaway—a small price to pay for a few days of secluded peace.
Rate: $209/Night
A-frame Treehouse — Index, WA
Vibe: The Air up There
Perched 13 feet off the ground sits one of the more unique and Instagram-worthy treehouses in America—the Tree Frame Treehouse. With the usual airy A-frame interior that invites natural light in with floor to ceiling windows, this luxe cabin in the woods features a full bathroom, fireplace, skylights, and king bed in the sleeping loft, accessed by spiral staircase. Plus a private hot tub. And it's all anchored to four evergreen trees. Stevens Pass ski resort is just minutes away, and the Snohomish river is nearby too, for tubing in the summer and fly fishing year round. This is the PNW at its best.
Rate: $498/Night
Osprey House — Stevenson, WA
Vibe: Simply Gorge-ous
Built around a 42-inch Douglas Fir and situated near the Columbia River Gorge and Beacon Rock State Park (don’t forget to pack the kayak, you’re going exploring!) the Osprey house sits on 30 acres of prime waterfront property. It’s the perfect place to spend your mornings birdwatching for the Ospreys that gave the place its name or head down to one of the three private coves with your kayak and a cooler in tow.
Rate: $235/Night
Eagle’s Perch — Port Angeles, WA
Vibe: Two is Always Better Than One
Looking out over the Strait of Juan De Fuca is already one of those northwest Washington experiences everyone should have. Now, add in doing that from a treehouse? Well, you’ve officially gotten yourself a bragging rights experience. Constructed of cedar with rustic touches, there’s one tiny detail we can’t miss mentioning—this treehouse is actually two treehouses. Separated by soundproof walls, each treehouse has its own private views, bathrooms, and showers. Take advantage of your 20-foot high view and watch for bald eagles outside the treehouse’s windows or hit the Discovery Bike Trail less than a mile away.
Rate: $417/Night
Published 01-17-2022
Updated 09-29-2022