Frequently Asked Questions
Everything guests ask before booking - the treehouses, the trails, and the fine print. Can't find your answer? Contact us.
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Sleeps
Up to 8
Midweek
1 night minimum
Weekends
2 night minimum
Pets & smoking
Not allowed
Jump to:
The TreehousesAmenitiesBooking & PoliciesLocation & NatureFood & GroceriesParking & AccessKids, Pets & GroupsWhat to BringWeather & SeasonsSafety & Support
The Treehouses
How many treehouses are there?
Four. They share almost the same floor plan, each with its own variations.
Are they actually built in the trees?
Yes. Each structure is elevated among mature trees and positioned near glacier-carved sandstone bluffs. They are not attached to the trees - that is for the health of the trees, given the size of the structures - but you'll hardly notice.
How many people can each treehouse sleep?
Up to 8. Two enclosed bedrooms plus a loft bedroom, with 2 king beds, 1 full, and a queen Koala sofa bed. Designed for families, couples, and friend groups.
Do they have bathrooms?
Yes. Each treehouse has one full bathroom with a walk-in shower.
Do they have heating and air conditioning?
Yes. Fully climate-controlled year round with modern HVAC.
How far apart are the treehouses?
Between 100 and 200 feet - far enough for privacy, close enough for group bookings. The trees add plenty of cover too.
Do you have hot tubs?
Not yet. They are planned for a future phase.
How do I rent more than one treehouse?
See our Group Stays page, or call or email us and we'll set it up for you.
Amenities
Is there a full kitchen?
Yes. Fridge, stove, oven, microwave, cookware, dishes, coffee maker with grinder and fresh beans, and the essentials. Every faucet runs through our reverse osmosis filter, so no need to pack water.
Do you provide linens and towels?
Yes. High-quality linens, pillows, blankets, towels, and two robes per unit.
Do you provide toiletries?
Yes. Dish soap at the kitchen sink, hand soap and lotion at the bath sink, and shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner in the shower.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes. Fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout, plus good cell service.
Do you have fire pits and a grill?
Each treehouse has a private fire pit on the ground and a gas grill on the deck. Firewood is available on site.
Can we rent kayaks or hydrobikes?
Yes, seasonally, from our on-site dock on the creek that runs through the property and leads out to the Illinois River. More watercraft coming soon. See rentals.
What else is included?
See the full list on our Amenities page.
Booking & Policies
What is the minimum stay?
Single-night stays are available midweek - no need to ask, just book them. Weekends require 2 nights, and holiday weekends require 3.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is 3:00 PM, or 2 PM with early check-in purchase. Check-out is 11:00 AM, or Noon with late check-out purchase. See below for cutoff windows and how it works.
Can I purchase early check-in or late check-out?
Yes. Early check-in (2 PM) is $60 - purchase early check-in. Late check-out (Noon) is $60 - purchase late check-out. Early check-in must be purchased at least 24 hours before your arrival, and late check-out at least 3 hours before you leave. Both depend on the cleaning schedule between stays, so requests are confirmed after purchase.
Can we check in or out on a Saturday?
No. We do not schedule check-ins or check-outs on Saturdays. A two-night weekend stay runs Friday to Sunday.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel 30 or more days before your stay for a 97% refund. The 3% credit card processing fee retained by Stripe is not refundable. Inside 30 days, reservations are non-refundable.
Do you require a security deposit?
No deposit. A credit card hold is placed the day of check-in and released after your stay.
Is smoking allowed?
No. No smoking, vaping, incense, or candles inside the treehouses.
Do you offer discounts or promotions?
Yes. Join the Treehouse Insider list for seasonal deals, last-minute openings, giveaways, and early access to new units.
Location & Nature
How close are you to Starved Rock State Park?
Directly adjacent. Guests walk from their treehouse steps over the footbridge at the edge of our property to more than 13 miles of trails.
How far are you from Chicago?
About 90 minutes. We're between Ottawa and Utica, roughly 10 minutes from each downtown. Map and directions.
Will we see wildlife?
Often. Eagles, hawks, deer, foxes, owls, and plenty of songbirds are regular sights from the decks and windows.
What is there to do nearby?
Trails, canyons, wineries, and our favorite local restaurants - all on the Things to Do & Eat page.
How do we walk to the trails at Starved Rock?
Walk down the gravel driveway from your treehouse, heading west along the bluff past Treehouses Three and Four. Follow it until it runs into a creek, then go right. A little ways up on your left you'll see a footbridge. Cross it and follow that path about 150 yards, off our property and right onto Starved Rock State Park land, where it comes out directly at the Illinois Canyon Trail. Turn left and you'll hike into Illinois Canyon. Turn right and you'll reach the trailhead and parking lot, and from there you can walk to the rest of Starved Rock - all the trails connect. The next canyon over is Kaskaskia Canyon, then Ottawa Canyon, and you'll find Council Overhang in that area. You can see the whole route on our property map.
Where are the waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park?
They're in the canyons, and almost all of them are seasonal. The park has 18 canyons and the falls are rain-fed, so they run hardest in spring with the snowmelt and after a good rain, and many slow to a trickle in a dry summer stretch. In deep winter they freeze into ice columns, which is its own kind of spectacular. The closest ones to us are Kaskaskia and Ottawa - the two canyons come together just east of Illinois Canyon, and you can walk to them from your treehouse over our footbridge without ever moving the car. Council Overhang is right in that same area. From the park's main Visitor Center those are a four-mile hike one way, so you're starting at the doorstep of the part of the park most visitors never reach. Heading west into the heart of the park, LaSalle Canyon is the one most people come for, and one of the few waterfalls you can walk behind. Wildcat Canyon is another favorite, and French Canyon is the shortest walk from the Visitor Center at under half a mile. St. Louis Canyon sits at the far west end of the park.
Food & Groceries
Where is a grocery store nearby?
Ottawa has everything you need, about 15 minutes away. The Kroger on Columbus St is roughly 14 minutes and the Walmart Supercenter about 17. There's a second Kroger on the south side of town, and Handy Foods downtown is a family-owned grocer with a good butcher counter and bakery. Since every treehouse has a full kitchen, a lot of guests do one big stop on the way in and then never get back in the car. Details and directions are on our Things to Do & Eat page.
Can we get food delivered to the treehouses?
Yes, and they'll deliver right to your treehouse - you don't have to meet anyone at the road. Sam's Pizza in Ottawa is the local go-to, at (815) 434-5690. Beyond that, DoorDash and Uber Eats both serve the area with a good range of restaurants, and both can bring groceries as well. Coverage out here can vary by time of day, so it's worth a look at the app once you know your dates.
Parking & Access
Is there parking at the treehouse?
Yes. Private parking in the driveway directly in front of your treehouse.
Do we have to walk far from the car?
Not at all - you park a few steps from your own treehouse.
Are the treehouses accessible for guests with mobility challenges?
All four units require stair access. We are working on building treehouses accessible to all.
Is there an EV charger?
There is a NEMA 14-50 outlet on site, on the electrical utility station across the gravel road between the Treehouse 1 and Treehouse 2 driveways - a cluster of electrical boxes on horizontal steel across three wooden posts, behind a small black utility shed. Guests are welcome to use it with their own portable Level 2 charger - $25 per stay covers one overnight charge, enough for most EVs - purchase EV outlet access. Most EV owners already carry a 14-50 mobile connector; Teslas need a J1772-to-NACS adapter. A cord is usually hanging there as a courtesy, but bring your own to be sure. One outlet on site, first come first served.
Kids, Pets & Groups
Are kids allowed?
Yes, and many families make a trip of it. The spacious layout and private setting make it easy to relax with kids along. A pack and play and high chair are provided.
Are pets allowed?
No. We're animal lovers, but we've vowed to keep the treehouses safe, quiet, and clean for every guest.
Is this a good place for a celebration?
Absolutely. Birthdays, anniversaries, girls' weekends, family trips, and couples' escapes are all popular here.
What to Bring
What should we pack?
We stock the basics - here's what guests are usually glad they brought:
- Groceries
- Extra creamer, if you're particular
- Hiking gear and layers
- Bug spray
- Decaf coffee or tea
- Your own K-cups, if you prefer them to pour-over
Weather & Seasons
Are the treehouses comfortable in winter?
Yes. They're very well insulated, heated, and cooled - warm and cozy straight through a Midwest snowstorm.
What is the best season to visit?
Every season gives you something different:
- Spring - waterfalls and cool nights
- Summer - lush canopy and river days
- Fall - the foliage everyone comes for
- Winter - quiet, snowy forest views
Safety & Support
Are the treehouses safe during storms?
Yes. They're engineered with steel, reinforced trusses, and anchored foundations.
How do we reach you during our stay?
Text, call, or email - and through Airbnb messaging if you booked there. We're quick to respond.
Where do we find our door code and arrival details?
Everything arrives by email before your stay, and lives on the Guest Welcome Guide.
Still have a question?
We answer email and phone quickly - just reach out.