Ramped Up Tree House


Accessible Treehouse

Photos by Matt Wong

As a downtown dweller, I’ve spent the last year cooped up in an apartment playing phone tag with a persistent call from the wild: “Hello, it’s your mother, Nature, are you there? Pick up!” An escape to the fresh air was long overdue, but the idea of roughing it sounded too much like what I had been doing at home. I needed a relaxing escape where I could comfortably unwind far away from the urban jungle.

I’d heard chatter about a wheelchair accessible luxury treehouse here in the Pacific Northwest. Like rumors of a Sasquatch, I had initially dismissed such a dwelling as a tall tale, but my time inside had me curious. A quick Google search and a few phone calls later, I knew: The legend was true.

McCall and her friends gather in the lodge’s great room.
McCall and her friends gather in the lodge’s great room. The space is centered on a beautiful fireplace.

 

A Night in the Tree-tops

The accessible treehouse is one of six luxury treehouses built over the last five years at Washington State’s Skamania Lodge. The Lodge is situated just outside of Stevenson, Washington, on the northern shore of America’s largest National Scenic Area, the Columbia River Gorge. Less than an hour east from Portland, Oregon, the drive and majesty of traveling through this canyon is a treat itself.

Brook McCall enjoys the view from her treehouse perch.
Brook McCall enjoys the view from her treehouse perch.

Carved ages ago, the basalt cliffs that line the waterway are punctuated with waterfalls year-round that are ever-changing and fun to spot. High on the scenery, we reluctantly took our exit and crossed the river’s expanse via the awe-inspiring, steel truss Bridge of the Gods. The four-story lodge — built in a style reminiscent of the early 1900s — and its 258 rooms sit on 175 acres overlooking the gorge.

The new treehouses are hidden in a grove of towering Douglas Firs about 500 yards away from the lodge. Unfortunately, the main access is via a gravel parking lot down a short, steep turn off from the main road. Even the mightiest power chair would have a hard time powering up the gravel to the main road, meaning that any time you want to go to the lodge, you need to hop in your vehicle. There is a golf cart shuttle service you can summon to get around the property, but it only works if you can transfer and haul your chair with you.

In contrast to the evocative yesteryear feel on the rest of the property, the treehouse cabins are designed with a modern vibe, inside and out.  The entrance to the lone accessible dwelling is via a sloped path that brings you under the unit’s 30-foot-high deck, past the adjacent private fire pit and up a short ramp to the front door. The changing grades should present no problems for a power chair, but some manual chair users may need an assist.

Once inside, it becomes clear that the accommodations are a far cry from any childhood treehouses you visited. With treetop views on all sides, and an indoor/outdoor fireplace framed on either side by dual French doors that divide the bedroom from the deck, the setup is ideal for easy and cozy transitions inside and out.

An indoor/outdoor fireplace the bedroom from the deck.
An indoor/outdoor fireplace the bedroom from the deck.

Awaiting us on the comfortable king-sized bed was a welcome basket with a small bottle of local wine and a kit to make s’mores. The bed is a good height for transferring but does have a platform. The cabin also boasts a sitting area and a kitchenette nook equipped with a Nespresso coffee maker, microwave, and mini-refrigerator.

The delightful and spacious bathroom includes a handsome dark stone roll-in shower, curated body products and an opaque window overlooking the fire pit. There is even a heated floor for those who can appreciate it. A big closet offers fluffy robes that match the spa-level setup and serve as the perfect attire for lounging. If venturing out for a meal sounds too taxing, or you simply want to chill in your robe, a full concierge and room service menu is available for delivery from the two restaurants in the lodge.

A spacious layout has ample room for wheelchair users to navigate around a comfy king-sized bed.
A spacious layout has ample room for wheelchair users to navigate around a comfy king-sized bed.

Beyond the Trees

Inside the lodge, the Cascade Dining Room offers Northwest farm-to-table cuisine under high wooden ceilings, while the River Rock restaurant takes things a bit more casually, focusing on lighter pub fare, craft beer and wines. Both offer stunning views.

The lobby and registration area opens up to a great room centered on a beautiful fireplace. It boasts Native American artistry, and is anchored by floor-to-ceiling windows displaying amazing views of the river and surrounding mountains. Comfy seating and plenty of space to roll around make this a perfect place to enjoy coffee or a drink in between events or to simply watch the storms roll off the hills.

Beyond dining and chilling, a number of fun recreational options await on the property. No lodge would be complete without a spa and pool, and both are accessible here. As of this spring, the resort is remodeling what was a challenging 18-hole golf course into a less challenging nine-hole short course and an 18-hole putting course. Both are slated to open this summer, but access details weren’t available at press time.

Treehouse patioFor a more … aggressive … evening, the resort recently added an axe throwing venue, and there is always the lodge’s Adventure Park, home to an accessible zip line course for daredevils and an aerial park that is less accessible. On top of this, the grounds offer ample picturesque and comfortable places to sit and relax or read a book.

If you’re looking to explore beyond the grounds, you’re in luck. Situated in the heart of the Columbia Gorge, the lodge puts you in the proximity of a number of accessible trails, fishery tours, waterfall views and recreational options. Additionally, easy day trips to places like Hood River, Mount Hood or one of the many nearby, gorge-adjacent Washington and Oregon breweries or wineries are well within your  reach.

If you thought sleeping up amongst the trees was just another inaccessible fantasy, rest easier. Aside from the access issues around the poorly-situated treehouse parking lot, and the premium you’ll have to pay to stay here, Skamania Lodge’s accessible treehouse is pretty legendary.

At between $350-$800 per night, the accessible treehouse at Skamania Lodge is pricey, but great off-season deals are available if you sign up for the newsletter at skamania.com.


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Pamela Barnes
Pamela Barnes
2 years ago

I want more info I want to stay here