20 Years in the Trees: The Journey of Treehouse Point
Wow! We can’t believe it. It’s already been 20 years since the humble beginnings of Treehouse Point, when our bed and breakfast was just a single treehouse welcoming guests into the forest.
Our team and venue has grown so much since then. We’ve added a total of seven unique treehouses and three additional accommodations, our final one being LoveBomb in 2024, so people can experience the Pacific Northwest in a one-of-a-kind way.
Today, we’re reflecting on the journey that brought us here, and the heart behind what makes this place so special.
Photo by Luma Weddings
How Treehouse Point Came to be
In April of 2006, Pete Nelson purchased some property tucked between the Raging River and the Preston-Fall City Road. Unassuming and full of thick, healthy trees and foliage, Pete knew this land was the perfect spot for the treehouse retreat that he and his wife, Judy, had been dreaming of building.
Photos by Claymore MacTarnaghan
Of course, the path wasn’t without its challenges. At the time, treehouses were far less common in commercial spaces than they are today. With so many unknowns, Pete and Judy had to get creative, experimenting with innovative building techniques like tree pulling, as shown below.
Tree pulling is a non-invasive method to measure the strength of our trees to ensure guest safety.
The Creation of Treehouses
Pete Nelson and his team specialize in bringing childhood dreams to life. For many people, the idea of living in treehouses and wandering through the woods gets left behind with childhood. Not because the desire disappears, but because it no longer feels possible. Since 2006, Treehouse Point has invited adults to dream again.
The first invitation was in the form of Temple of the Blue Moon.
You may notice the grand columns along the entry way and horizontal logs across the top of the structure. These enchanting features were not added to Temple of the Blue Moon on a whim. The treehouse was intentionally designed as a woodland variation of the Greek Parthenon— one of the most iconic architectural structures in the world and a great inspiration for Pete!
Photo by Claymore MacTarnaghan.
Temple of the Blue Moon was completed in 2006 and was the first treehouse guests could stay in when Treehouse Point opened. At the time, the bridge was narrower than it is today and dipped down in the middle, resembling a hanging bridge.
In 2019, Temple of the Blue Moon was renovated into the magical treetop escape you see today.
Photo by Claymore MacTarnaghan.
“We stayed in Temple of the Blue Moon which was perfect. Our bed was surrounded by windows and there were skylights up above so you could really see and feel being in the tree. ”
Over the years, more treehouses joined the forest. Burl, our romantic two-story retreat, was completed in 2013.
Originally, it featured a crow’s nest designed for guests to climb and take in sweeping views of the surrounding woods. Due to safety considerations, the ladder was later removed, but the spirit of adventure remains woven into its design.
Does Burl look familiar? You may have spotted it on Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters with Pete Nelson.
Breakfasts at Treehouse Point
Judy’s love of cooking has always been a cornerstone of the experience here. In the early days, Judy would be the one in the kitchen making guests their delicious breakfast. Though she’s now focusing on other projects, her legacy lives on through recipes like her beloved granola, yogurt with lemon curd, and signature potato hash. Breakfast is served every morning 8:30am-10:00am in the Lodge by our team of talented and kind-hearted chefs!
Photos by Tiare Bowman
After you enjoy a hearty breakfast, wander down to our pond and you’ll see our iconic rainbow trout! They’ve grown so much over the past couple years, thanks to guests tossing them pellets from fish food dispenser to the left of the tables.
Photo by Sammy Spence
“I was obsessed with the trout pond and I enjoyed stopping by every morning and throwing out a few bits of the fish food set out for guests to feed them.”
Photos by Tiare Bowman
DOes the River Actually Rage?
As you lay your head down to sleep high in the canopy, you may hear the distant roar of rushing water. How can that be when you’re so high up in the trees? The answer lies just beyond the water bank.
At the edge of Treehouse Point flows the Raging River, which acts as a natural boundary for the property and serves as an important waterway supporting endangered Chinook salmon and steelhead recovery.
Photos by Claymore MacTarnaghan.
In the fall and winter, the Raging River lives up to its name as the water moves fast and strong, creating a moodier atmosphere throughout the property. Treehouses like Ananda, Temple of the Blue Moon, Burl, and our accommodation Hideaway all have views of the river during this season.
Photo by Tiare Bowman.
By late spring and summer, the river calms down. It becomes a quieter place to spend time, whether that’s stacking stone cairns along the shore or sitting by the water with a book.
Photos by Sammy Spence and Tiare Bowman.
“Seeing bald eagles and so much untouched nature was incredible.”
a forest backdrop for Celebrations
What began as a single treehouse has grown into something much more. Today, Treehouse Point is a place for connection and celebration, from quiet escapes to weddings, elopements, and retreats. People travel from all over the world to say “I do” beneath the canopy, drawn by the magic that lives in these trees.
Photos by Flint and Stone Co., Ashley Scheider, and Bear Beau Photography.
“You are not going to find a more magical place than Treehouse Point! We were married here in May 2025 and I cannot understate how unforgettable it was.”
Photo by Ashley Scheider.
Tour The Forest and Experience Wonder!
Each month, we offer tours of the property so guests of all ages can step into the forest and discover the story still unfolding here. Explore the history, craftmanship, and unique woodland details with our talented tour guides.
On rare occasion, we offer an exclusive private tour with Treehouse Master Pete Nelson, where an intimate group of guests tour the treehouses, have an intimate Q&A over charcuterie and wine with Pete, then spend two-nights in our most sought-after treehouses.
Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to know when the next one goes live!
Where we are now
And there it is! It’s been two decades since we’ve began welcoming people into the trees. From Temple of the Blue Moon in 2006, to the first ever ADA-accessible commercial treehouse in Washington in 2021, we welcome all people to experience the magic of treehouses.
Notice the long ramp that leads to Ananda’s front door, designed to make the treehouse accessible for guests with mobility needs. We want as many people as possible to experience the trees, which led the crew at Nelson Treehouse and Supply to create this beautiful mobility-friendly treehouse.
Photos by Claymore MacTarnaghan.
“ Treehouses lift the spirits. They inspire dreams. They represent freedom: from adults or adulthood, from duties and responsibilities, from an earthbound perspective. If we can’t fly with the birds, at least we can nest with them.”
Photos by Claymore MacTarnaghan.
Stay With Us!
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a single-night escape, or a quiet retreat in nature, Treehouse Point has what you’re looking for.
With seven one-of-a-kind treehouses to choose from, and three iconic additional accommodations, there’s a perfect stay waiting for you.
Be sure to tag @treehousepoint to share your magical adventures in the trees with us!
