We originally published this blog post in February 2018. With the TreeHouse Point calendar opening today (November 1, 2018) for reservations May – October 2019, we felt the timing was ripe to re-post this handy guide to staying overnight in the trees.
To stay overnight at TreeHouse Point is to be whisked into a world brimming with equal parts magic and tranquility. Nestled in a lush forest 30 minutes east of Seattle, TreeHouse Point is emblematic of the breathtaking natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The verdant grounds are home to six iconic, rentable treehouses; a central lodge; a multi-purpose event space; and two cedar-lined bathhouses. TreeHouse Point also offers guided tours and hosts weddings and elopements year-round. A night in the trees is the perfect romantic getaway.
temple of the Blue Moon at TreeHouse Point.
In this post, we’ll lead you through an overnight stay at Pete and Judy Nelson’s flagship treehouse retreat to help give first-time guests a sense of what to expect. We’ll also provide handy tips for how best to prepare for a night in the trees. Click the buttons below to jump to a section.
Please note that while this post walks through a single-night stay, there is a two-night minimum stay policy in effect most of the year at TreeHouse Point.
The two-night stay policy is based on guest feedback that “one night is not enough!” That said, TreeHouse Point occasionally makes exceptions to the two-night stay policy. Please e-mail info@treehousepoint.com if you would like to stay for only one night.
You can learn how to reserve a stay at TreeHouse Point here.
The journey to TreeHouse Point begins with the brief drive on the windy, forest-lined road between Preston and Fall City (if coming from the west). The turnoff for TreeHouse Point comes up fairly suddenly and can be easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled for the wooden sign marking the B&B. Pull into the graveled parking lot and head to the Lodge for check in between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. TREEHOUSE TIP: If you plan to arrive after this check-in window, please email the office at info@treehousepoint.com for late-arrival instructions.
At check in, TreeHouse Point staff will hand you a map to your treehouse with codes to the front gate and your room. Take time to explore the grounds as you make your way to your treetop abode.
At Check in, You’ll receive Pete Nelson’s hand-drawn map of treehouse Point
TREEHOUSE TIP: This is a great time to try one of Pete’s favorite activities: shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” which centers on mindfully soaking in the sounds and sensations of being among the trees. This meditative practice is known for promoting wellbeing and health.
The Bonbibi Treehouse peeks out from the opulent foliage at Treehouse Point.
While exploring the grounds, you might also follow the path through the forest to the Raging River. This river is one of the most important local estuaries for the endangered Chinook Salmon and Steelhead recovery. There, you can try your hand at a favorite riverbank activity of TreeHouse Point guests: crafting gravity-defying cairns from smooth river stones.
The path to the riverbank at Treehouse Point.
Guests Enjoy crafting cairns at the Raging River.
After exploring the grounds, ascend to your treehouse and enjoy some divine downtime.
The burl treehouse is also known as the “Honeymoon suite,” as it’s a favorite of many newlyweds.
Depending on the day of the week, you may have the option of taking an evening yoga class inside the central, multi-purpose space called the “Pond Room.” The yoga classes offered at TreeHouse Point are richly rejuvenating – the forest views and woodsy aroma from the cedar-lined room elevate the experience. Check online for the yoga schedule.
yoga and tai chi classes are held inside the Pond Room.
the RETRACTABLE window wall at the back of the room Opens to the forest.
Head out of TreeHouse Point for dinner – you can browse a list of our favorite local restaurants here. TREEHOUSE TIP: In the summertime, a memorable dinner option is picnicking on the bank of the Raging River. Read our tips for packing the perfect TreeHouse Point picnic.
Picnicking on the bank of the Raging River is a wonderful dinner option during summer months.
On your return to TreeHouse Point after dinner, stop by the Lodge for late-night nibbles. Our talented cooks bake a delectable variety of cookies daily – there is also popcorn, cocoa, tea, wine glasses, bottle openers, and s’mores fixings available on the counter (see below for a complete list of treats and tools available for guest use).
The lodge holds the main office, breakfast dining table, late-night snacks, library, fireplace, and cozy seating areas.
Guests love to gather around the fire pit adjacent to the Lodge for s’mores and stargazing after dinner. On rainy nights, the fireplace inside the Lodge is the ideal cozy hangout zone. Feel free to borrow a book or board game from the library.
on clear nights, guests gather for s’mores and stargazing at the fire pit next to the lodge.
Get ready for bed in one of the cedar-lined bathhouses and then take to the trees for a restful night’s sleep. All of our treehouses are heated – there is no better place to be than curled up in one of our toasty treetop retreats on a cool night, listening to the pattering of rain on the roof.
The spa-like bathhouses are lined in aromatic cedar.
The upper pond treehouse looks like something out of a fairytale.
Inside the Trillium Treehouse.
In the morning, soak in the sounds of the forest awakening. Our talented cooks serve a sublime homemade breakfast from 8:30 to 10:00 AM in the Lodge. Daily specialties include Judy Nelson’s renowned granola, lemon curd with yogurt, baked delicacies, and some variety of savory dish. TreeHouse Point cooks also whisk up delicious options for those with dietary restrictions. (When making your reservation, please note any dietary restrictions in the appropriate field and our staff will do their best to accommodate your needs. Though TreeHouse Point is not a gluten-free kitchen, our cooks can provide gluten-free dishes with advance notice.)
TREEHOUSE TIP: Guests often connect over breakfast and arrange to meet back at the Lodge for a self-guided treehouse tour – this is a great way to get a peek inside the other treehouses.
Homecooked breakfast at Treehouse Point.
Judy Nelson’s famous granola is a daily Delicacy at Treehouse Point’s breakfasts.
The breakfast cooks at TreeHouse Point create delectable and seasonal dishes, like these winter squash tamales.
A succulent berry cake at Treehouse Point’s breakfast.
You may have the option of taking a morning Tai Chi or yoga class inside the Pond Room – check online for the weekly schedule. After breakfast, head back to the trees to savor the final moments in your treehouse before checking out by 11:00 AM.
The nest is the only treehouse with a theme: it’s designed and decorated to subtly allude to a bird’s nest.
QUICK TIPS FOR STAYING AT TREEHOUSE POINT
A few notes about our treehouse amenities:
All the treehouses are heated and come equipped with electricity, bottled water, an electric tea kettle, comfy bed with bed linens, towels, and an MP3 player/radio.
TOILETS: Only the Burl treehouse has a flushing toilet. The Upper Pond, Temple of the Blue Moon, and Nest have composting toilets. The Bonbibi does not have a bathroom, but is located only a few feet away from the bathhouses.
Below is a list of the complimentary tools and treats available in the Lodge for guests to borrow, use, and enjoy. (There’s no charge for borrowing the items and eating the treats listed below!)
Umbrellas
Corkscrews/bottle openers
Picnic baskets/coolers and picnic blankets
Silverware, plates, small bowls, and napkins
Wine glasses, water glasses, and mugs
Microwave
Tea, cocoa, cider, and water
Popcorn packets and homemade cookies
S’mores supplies including marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, and metal skewers
Lighters and kindling for the fire pit adjacent to the Lodge and the fireplace inside
Board games and books
A diverse array of TreeHouse Point merchandise — from hats to T-shirts to enamel mugs to trading cards — is available for purchase inside the Lodge. We thoughtfully design almost all of these items in-house at our Nelson Treehouse HQ.
Guests gather around this table inside the Lodge for Breakfast each morning. Seasonal decorations add celebratory flair to the lodge year-round.
TreeHouse Point provides shampoo, conditioner, soap, and hair dryers for guest use inside the bathhouses.
Towels are provided inside each treehouse, so make sure to bring them with you when you go to shower.
Below is a list of some specific things you may want to bring with you for your overnight stay:
Raincoat
Rain boots/good walking, water-resistant shoes
Snacks and drinks
Ice – make sure to pick up ice at PCC or at the gas station in Fall City (five minutes from TreeHouse Point), as there is none available for guests at the B&B.
Check the weather forecast and be prepared for rain! Layers are always a wise move when packing for the Pacific Northwest.
Forget to pack a hat? Don’t Fret – you can purchase one of our fan-favorite snapbacks (like this one with our Temple of the Blue moon patch ) inside the lodge.
There is no restaurant onsite, but staff are happy to provide you with local recommendations. You can browse a selection of their favorites here.
Picnicking on the bank of the Raging River is a great option during summer months. Click here for our tips to packing the perfect TreeHouse Point picnic.
Please note that TreeHouse Point does not permit guests to cook their own food onsite.
TreeHouse Point is truly resplendent year-round, but the experience of staying overnight differs per season. Winter stays are wonderful because you naturally spend more time cozied up in your treehouse, savoring the sounds of rain on the rooftops and the river at peak flow. Summer stays are sublime because you can spend more time taking advantage of the outdoor seating, including your treehouse lanai. Fortunately, the Pacific Northwest’s temperate climate makes it a comfortable destination to visit at any time of year. Just be prepared for rain!
The temple of the Blue moon is respelendent in the snow.
View from the Nest’s Deck.
Check out our summertime Weekend Travel Guide to the Snoqualmie Valley, curated by Emily Nelson and her husband, Patrick. They’ve broken down the best activities to do in the area from hiking, to dining, to paddle boarding!
World-class hikes abound around TreeHouse Point! For a list of our staff’s favorite local hikes, click here.
The renowned Rattlesnake Ledge hike is near Treehouse Point.
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