STEVENSON, WASH.—Based on the success of its first four treehouses, the Columbia River Gorge’s iconic Skamania Lodge will unveil two new treehouses in September that will provide guests the opportunity to relive the nostalgic, child-like experience of sleeping among the trees.
“Our first four treehouses have been incredibly popular with our guests—90 percent occupied during summer months—the decision to add these additional treehouses made perfect sense,” said Skamania Lodge General Manager Ken Daugherty.
Couples, families and groups alike will find the new treehouses, named Candy Flower and Shooting Star, elevated a bit higher—40 feet in the air—than the previous iterations, and have an extra sleeping area complete with a queen bed in a spacious nook that overlooks the breathtaking Gorge and the historic Skamania Lodge. The nook is a unique and imaginative experience featuring a tent-like drape that offers privacy and playfulness.
Hints of Native American Patterns
The treehouses’ interiors are well-appointed with hints of Native American patterns, nature-inspired artwork with whimsical accents to bring out the kid in one and all, and include an indoor see-through fireplace that provides a peek-a-boo lookout to the beautiful, outdoor deck and stunning views of the gorge and lush forest.
Each treehouse also features its own private outdoor fire pit where guests can tell campfire stories, and roast marshmallows from the resort’s thoughtfully curated s’mores kits.
With 175 forested acres, Skamania has outdoor adventures that showcase the area’s natural wonders and encourage fitness. Guests can soar through the Douglas Firs as part of the Canopy Zip Line Tour featuring seven zip lines and three sky bridges. Challenging and thrilling, the exciting Aerial Park offers 19 platforms, over 22 elements, and a climbing feature. For those guests who like to dial up the danger, ax throwing, the newest adventure, provides that pulse-raising, yet safe thrill. For fitness enthusiasts, the recently refurbished Gorge Loop Fitness Trail, a moderate-to-challenging mile loop with five stations featuring TimberForm fitness clusters and 17 activities, is perfect for the novice and expert alike. The resort includes an onsite immersion in nature with four miles of hiking and nature trails, bikes for guest use, as well as outdoor tennis, basketball, and volleyball. Not to be forgotten are the miles of additional hiking trails nearby the resort, including the renowned Pacific Crest Trail, made internationally famous in Reese Witherspoon’s film, Wild.
The two new treehouses are Skamania Lodge’s third pair of treehouses, which will debut at the beginning of September. The first pair opened in the summer of 2016, the second pair in the winter of 2017.
Down the Hill from 254-Guestroom Lodge
The treehouses are located down the hill from the historic 254-guestroom lodge, which is set on 175 densely forested acres overlooking the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, just 45 minutes from Portland, Ore.
The treehouse experience allows for a broader range of options to those seeking to sleep among the trees: overnight stays provide seclusion but still give guests all-access to lodge amenities, including cuisine from Skamania Lodge Chef Matt Hale and the Cascade Dining Room and River Rock Lounge, which focus on locally sourced ingredients, as well as a Columbia River Gorge-focused beer and wine program. Guests can select that hard-to-find gem of a savory red from nearby AniChe Cellars or enjoy a refreshing brew from local Gorge standout Backwoods Brewing.
Besides its awe-inspiring beauty, the destination is also adventurously combining both on-property and off-property recreation. Explore the area by hiking to the stunning Falls Creek Falls, a staff favorite, or visit a Stevenson favorite craft brewery, Walking Man, a nearby cidery or a local distillery to sample craft offerings.
Treehouse guests can focus on relaxation by lounging in an Adirondack chair on the resort’s breathtaking patio, taking in the view highlighted by Wind and Dog Mountains. Wind Mountain, a volcanic cinder cone, hosts a fun but challenging trail to hike, while Dog Mountain is the unofficial favorite Gorge trail with its abundance of wildflowers and amazing views.
