The Unique Illinois Treehouse You’ll Remember Forever

As soon as you hear, “worth the trip,” you know we’re not talking about Chicago. Nor are we talking about anything within a day-trip of it. This unique cabin in Illinois is nearly as far away as you can get, in the far southern tip of the state. Tonight, we’re sleeping in the Garden of the Gods, arguably the most spectacular natural landscape in the state. 

Why This Unique Cabin in Illinois Stands Out

A treehouse in the Garden of the Gods. Let the simplicity of that sentence sink in, and that’s all you really need to know. It’s a real treehouse, not a playhouse, with everything needed to turn our childhood dreams into a living forest fantasy. And it’s just minutes from the Garden of the Gods, which is, hands down, one of the most scenic places in Southern Illinois. I first discovered the treehouses at Garden of the Gods Outpost, an old-fashioned general store and souvenir shop, when I asked a shop owner to recommend a nearby cabin. He couldn’t wait to show me his own property just down the road. Less than an hour later, my family and I were checking into a treehouse,16 feet off the ground, above a babbling brook.

Inside the Stay: Features, Atmosphere, and Highlights

We’ve stayed in a lot of cabins over the years, but the treehouse at Timber Ridge Outpost is among the best cabin experiences in Illinois. Now, I don’t write those words lightly. I understand how generic the word “best” has become, so I don’t toss it around at random. But calling something the best is not about luxury, location, atmosphere, amenities, or hospitality. For me, “best” can only be about the experience. The experience my family and I had here was akin to living inside the books of our childhood whimsy. We felt free here, among the trees, and as wild as one could ever hope to be. The tiny abode, cradled by the arms of a living tree, rocked us to sleep at night. In the morning, we woke to birdsong and sunbeams, and the constant trickle of the creek below our floorboards. 

What To Know Before You Go

All the magic and moonbeams aside, you should know that the treehouses at Timber Ridge Outpost are not luxurious. Nor are they roughing it. They actually feel kind of like home, if you could stuff it into a matchbox and call it charming. Which, somehow, it is. You’ll have everything you need, except elbow space, but that’s what the great outdoors are for. We weren’t here to stay snuggling in all day; we were here to pause between jaunts out in the great wild yonder. And it was the perfect fit while we explored the best hiking trails in Illinois.

Who This Stay Is Perfect For

This unique experience in Illinois, staying in a treehouse cabin, is perfect for two adults or a small family of four seeking a reasonable splurge that doesn’t break the bank. By small family, I’m referring to children 12 and under. The sleeping quarters are in the loft; it’s a very tight fit, but cozy if your kids are little. Four adults would not be comfortable. It’s also important to know that the treehouse has many stairs, both outdoor stairs leading up to the front door and an indoor ladder to reach the loft. Staying in a treehouse cabin at Timber Ridge Outpost costs about the same as a nice hotel room for between $450 and $500 for a 2-night stay—book it on Airbnb.  This stay is so much more than a bed in the woods; it’s living the whimsy of a childhood experience, and making memories that last a lifetime. If you’re looking for more unique or unusual places to stay in Illinois.