Few things are more enchanting than staying overnight in a treehouse, no matter what age you are.
Until recently, your best chance at an overnight stay in a legit treehouse was by building one yourself. However, thanks to the growing glamping trend and sites like Airbnb, treehouses are so much more accessible.
Booking Whispering Wind Treehouse
I’ve been wanting to try treehouse glamping for a while now. I’ve slept in an ice hotel already, so a treehouse deep in the woods just seemed like the most logical next step! I got the idea after seeing various roundups of the coolest Airbnbs, and was instantly attracted to the treehouse lifestyle.
Unfortunately, a lot of the treehouses I’d seen throughout these lists were either international or too far for a quick getaway — so I did a little digging on my own.
Did you know you can search treehouses on Airbnb? That’s exactly what I did, and my search led me to the Adirondacks in New York. I used to visit the Adirondacks every summer as a kid (unfortunately not in a treehouse), and loved the idea of getting to go back and explore as an adult.
Also read: Buck Mountain Summit Trail Hike Review
There were, to my surprise, quite a few Adirondack treehouse Airbnbs to choose from. However, I quickly noticed that I wasn’t the only one searching — so many of them were already booked a year out, especially since I was looking for a weekend stay.
At first, I tried booking this one to no avail, but eventually found the Whispering Wind Treehouse in Argyle, New York.
Like most of the other treehouses, this one was basically completely booked until October 2018, so yes — I booked a full year in advance! And let me tell you, it was worth it.
Arrival
I made the almost six hour drive to the Adirondacks with my mom on a Friday afternoon. I almost took the trip alone, but I’m glad I didn’t because by the time we got to Argyle, it was completely dark outside. If I had been alone I guarantee I would’ve turned right around and found a hotel!
The host, Victoria, met us in the long, dark driveway to show us to the treehouse, which sat at the very back of her property which also houses a yurt, a couple of cabins, and a tiny house.
Amenities
The Whispering Wind Treehouse is totally off the grid, so there’s no electricity. If you book a stay yourself, come prepared with a lantern or some flashlights for reading, games, or just being able to see what you’re doing in general. It was equipped with a little gas fireplace which, even though it was in the 40s outside, kept the treehouse at a comfortable temperature, especially in the loft.
We got a full view of the treehouse in the morning. We woke to some rain, which was disappointing at first because we had planned to go on a hike. However, it was actually pretty cozy to listen to (and see) the rain through the loft’s clear roof.
Here’s where I’ll note that — gasp! — there’s no bathroom inside the treehouse. You have to trek downstairs to the compost outhouse, which can be a little intimidating in the dark and rain, but it didn’t affect my favorable view of the treehouse. It’s basically camping, afterall!
Up until my mom and I stayed in the treehouse, it had been pretty unseasonably warm, so Victoria still had the kitchen basics outside underneath the treehouse where we got our water, made tea, and cleaned dishes. However, for those staying in the cooler months, Victoria said she moves some appliances upstairs into the treehouse to make them more accessible without having to freeze your butt off.
We also had a couple encounters with bugs and spiders (in a treehouse, you’re technically in their home), but nothing that would prevent me from doing it again.
Overall, I’d characterize the Whispering Wind Treehouse as one step above camping and one step below glamping — but it’s absolutely perfect if you’re looking for a true treehouse experience.
Feel free to book a stay using my Airbnb code, which will get you $40 off your first trip of $75 or more.