Treehouse vacations: The best family spots in the US, Canada

Something magical happens when you stay in a treehouse, sleeping among the leaves and branches. Life slows down. From your perch in a treehouse hotel or rental, you notice the squirrels at play and hear the songs of crickets and frogs. You and your kids discover the wonder of nature all around you.

The U.S. has several unique treehouses you can stay in or rent, and the best ones for families have fun bunk beds, suspension bridges, fire pits for s’mores, arcade games, pools, farm animals, pony rides, zip lines and plenty of activities nearby.

Some treehouse hotels, rentals and resorts are located near the most popular family vacation spots in the U.S., while others make great vacation destinations in and of themselves. And no matter the season—whether for leaf peeping, snowy adventures, watching spring emerge, or enjoying summer at the lake—the best treehouse hotels in the U.S. and Canada guarantee a vacation that no one in the family will ever forget.

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Perched on four acres with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the treehouse rental at Canopy Blue Treehouse is family favorite. Relax and take it all in from the rocking chairs or hot tub on the deck, built around several towering trees. Kids love the wooden bunk bed alcove and the loft's daybed/swing.

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Hike the national forest trails on the property and enjoy family game night around the gorgeous live-edge table with a trunk pedestal base. The fire pit is another ideal spot for family bonding as you roast hot dogs or make s’mores. Kid-friendly things to do nearby include the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Falls Branch trail and waterfall and historic town of Blue Ridge.

You can combine a treehouse vacation, mountain getaway and a farm stay all into one vacation on the 72-acre Tree House on the Farm in North Carolina. There are friendly goats, horses, donkeys, and ducks to pet and farm-fresh eggs you can gather from the chickens in the traditional covered wagon.

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One of the lovable farm dogs will lead you across the bridge to your treehouse rental, a beautiful post-and-beam bungalow. The wood stove, sink made from an apple tree stump, stained glass windows and porch swings create a cozy ambiance. Relax and enjoy floor-to-ceiling window views of the forest. Local activities include family horseback rides at Burnt Hill Stables and New River canoeing, kayaking, tubing and fishing.

For a treehouse resort experience, head to the islands of the Pacific Northwest. On Orcas Island in Washington's San Juan Islands, you can book the treehouse cabin at Doe Bay Resort and Retreat and also access the resort's cafe and spa with private hot tubs.

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Designed and built to be featured on the DIY Network's The TreeHouse Guys, this treehouse is anchored among the branches of four trees. You’ll need to navigate around the trunks, and that's part of the fun. Watch for whales in the bay from your perch on the wraparound deck. Sea kayaking and whale watching tours, as well as golf, mini golf and Once in a Blue Moon petting farm and Buck Bay Shellfish Farm are all nearby.

About a 45-minute drive from Lexington, The Lion's Lair treehouse sits on private land in a national forest amid the soaring cliffs and majestic arches of the Red River Gorge. It's a cozy lair for small families and with natural wood finishes inside and plenty of deck and porch space outside, you’re never far from nature.

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Set out on a morning hike starting at the trailhead across the street and return for a rest on the porch swing. Relax around the fire pit and gather on the top deck for counting stars before bedtime. Local kid-friendly activities include The Nada Tunnel, Natural Bridge State Park and Red River Gorge's underground kayaking tour.

A treehouse rental property, Tranquil Treehouse on Table Rock Lake is about an hour's drive from Branson and makes a fun vacation spot for water-loving families. A 60-foot cable bridge with twinkle lights connects the parking area and treehouse. Walk down to the shore on the property for a swim or fishing. There are also two kayaks on carts you can use.

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Make memories together playing the treehouse's vintage arcade game or Victrola record player. After an evening around the fire pit, turn on the electric fireplace or climb into the hammered copper six-foot Japanese soaking tub. Local attractions include Roaring River State Park's trout hatchery, Big M Marina boat rentals, Promised Land Animal Safari Park and Beebe's Roaring River Water Slide.

In the foothills of Oregon's Siskiyou Mountains, Out’n’About Treehouse Treesortis a treehouse resort with 16 treehouses and plenty for families to do on the 36-acre property. Kids love the riding stables with trail and pony rides, zip lines, Tarzan swing and other activities. Treehouses range from those with no toilet or windows to the "Majestree," which has a full bathroom and small kitchenette.

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To reach the Majestree you will need to cross two suspension bridges and climb four flights of stairs until you come to the perch 47 feet above the ground. Family rafting excursions on the Klamath River, Oregon Caves National Monument tours, Illinois River Trail hikes and Rogue Creamery Dairy tours are among the nearby family-friendly attractions.

Designed and built by Pete Nelson of the Discovery Channel's series Treehouse Masters, White Oak Treehouse overlooks Ohio's Mohican Valley. It's one of nine treehouses and four cabins on The Mohicans Treehouse Resort's 77-acre property. Suspended from white oak and hickory trees, this treehouse has room for families to spread out with a queen bed on the first floor and two queen beds in the loft.

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Kids love the bridge to the treehouse and the outdoor shower. They’ll also enjoy the variety of things to do within easy reach of the treehouse hotel, including Tree Frog Canopy Tours zip lines, covered bridges on the Mohican Valley Trail, the Amish Country Scenic Byway, River Run Canoe Livery and Mohican Adventures go-karts and mini golf.

Just as luxury camping is a thing, so is a luxury treehouse resort experience, and you’ll find it among the 18 cottages at Connecticut's Winvian Farm. Think king-sized bed, gas fireplace, steam shower, jetted soaking tub and a full bar. This treehouse vacation is geared for couples as a romantic getaway but also suits a small family looking for a splurge 35 feet above the forest floor.

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Stroll the organic gardens, splash in the pool, or ride the resort's cruiser bikes into town. Don't miss the resort's spa treatments and dinner at the five-diamond restaurant. Nearby Lake Waramaug is a prime spot for leaf peeping. Appalachian Trail hiking, a visit to Kent Falls and ice cream at Arethusa Dairy Farm are other popular pastimes near this treehouse hotel.

Located in northern New England, The Woods Treehouse checks all the boxes for a luxurious Maine woods family getaway straight out of a home design magazine. Designed by Pete Nelson, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom Woods Treehouse features high-end kitchen appliances, quartz countertops, gold fixtures and cozy spaces for relaxing.

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From the deck's Adirondack chairs, sip your morning coffee among the tree trunks and leaves. A short trail on the property leads to the beautiful Lake Pennesseewassee. The nearby Shawnee Peak ski resort, Norway Brewing Company and boutiques, cafes and restaurants in the town of Norway offer plenty of things to do.

If you’re planning a treehouse getaway with another family or want to bring along the family dog, Treehouse Village in Ohio's Amish Country is the pet-friendly treehouse resort for you. There are five treehouses you can sleep in. One treehouse is large enough (with six queen beds and a full kitchen) to accommodate two families.

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After a day exploring nature, relax around the wood stove, fireplace, or fire pit. Each treehouse also has its own outdoor shower and outdoor soaking tub with a special blend of bath salts mixed by the owner. When you’re ready to explore, nearby family-friendly attractions include Dundee Falls, the Amish Country back roads, Wilderness Center hiking trails, Hershberger's Farm and Bakery petting zoo and Hillcrest Orchard.

Across the border in Canada, the Mont-Tremblant treehouses at Refuges Perchés eco-resort are an authentic backcountry experience with no power or running water. These 20 off-the-grid treehouses on Lake Cordon are about a 15-minute walk from the reception and parking lot. You’ll need to transport your luggage by cart, canoe, or toboggan, then start a fire in the wood stove and cook meals on a camp stove.

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Some treehouses are located on the waterfront while others are set in the forest with easy access to swimming, fishing, or boating. Staying at this treehouse resort is all about reconnecting with nature against one of the most scenic wilderness backdrops imaginable. Canoe, kayak and rabaska (12-passenger canoe) rentals are available at the resort's reception area. In the winter, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and dog sledding tours in Parc Eco des Laurentides are popular activities.

The story11 family-friendly treehouse hotels and rentals in the U.S. and Canada originally appeared onFamilyVacationist.com.

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