This winter break we wanted to get away but we didn’t want to fly anywhere. With COVID numbers rising again we wanted a change of scenery but also where we didn’t have to get too close to others.  We decided to Airbnb in North Carolina.  As I was searching for cabins in the mountains I can across this SUPER cool property unlike anywhere we’ve stayed before. We thought it would be perfect for the kids.  It would get us outside and being adventurous.  So we booked 2 nights in a treetop tipi in North Carolina!  Glamping at its finest. 

Location

This Treetop Tipi is located in Marshall, North Carolina which is a super small town.  We drove through it in less than a minute but it has a historic charm about it. The buildings are made of brick and it just has the old small town feel.  

Things to note:  

The week after Christmas is off season so most establishments are closed. There was one coffee shop open and 1 brewery/ restaurant. When they run out of food, they run out of food. Trust me. We learned the hard way.

Outside the Treetop Tipi

The first thing you notice is that you have to walk uphill to get to it.  I mean it is in a tree after all.  When you get to the top of the hill, you’ll see the campfire area. They have 4 chairs around a campfire. Inside the tent they have items you’ll need to get your campfire started.  They also have wood for you to use during your stay.  Just past the campfire there is a picnic table and barbecue.  The Tipi is equipped with utensils, plates, and some cookware for you to use.

A little further down they have a beautiful deck overlooking the parking area and out into the wilderness.  They have it set up with market lights so you can hang out there in the evenings.  I used that area for my early morning workout.  It’s a great place to practice yoga if you’re into that. I highly recommend it. 

We unfortunately did not spend too much time outside because our toddlers just wanted to run around and get too close to the edge.  That made this momma freak out so we kept our rambunctious toddlers inside but they had a blast none the less.  After our stay, my little man kept asking to go back to the treehouse.  That’s how much he loved it.

Bathroom

One of the first things you’ll notice ounce you get up to the tipi level is that the bathroom is located outside of the main sleeping area.  It was quite interesting having to bundle up to use the bathroom but it is a full bathroom with vanity and shower.  It is also built around the tree so you can actually see the tree trunk as your doing your business.  

The Treetop Tipi

The Tipi is decorated super cute!  Has a Native American rustic charm to it.  There is a bear inside that welcomed us with 2 bottles of wine.  Then you ca replace it our leave $10 for it to be replaced.  You can also request your favorite wine from the host.  That’s was a nice little touch.  There were 2 beds and a futon which was perfect for his family of 4.  

It is equipped with an AC (which is also a heater), an additional  heater, a fridge, and an entertainment center area (minus the TV).  The entertainment console had bins with little toys for the kids, board games, books, and drawers with the plates and utensils.  There is a wooden table in the middle with a propane mini stovetop and cast iron skillet.  The ONLY thing missing that would have made our trip a tiny bit better would have been a microwave to warm up the kids milk but we used a pan and the mini stovetop which worked just as good.  

To Note

There are no trash bins.  That was weird but it is camping after all so you have to take trash with you when you leave.  There are trash bags in the cabin and various hooks on the wall.  We just hung a bag from a hook and were good to go.  Then when you go into town find a dumpster.  Not a huge deal unless you have poopy diapers. 

Tip

Try to arrive in the day time.  We tried but it just didn’t happen.  It is very dark in the evenings.  The pathways and stairs are lit up but it is still very dark. 

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Overall we had such a lovely stay and will hopefully be back soon.  We hope you choose to visit! We booked through Airbnb. The hosts were very responsive.  Whenever I had a question, they answered it quickly (sometimes within a few a minutes).

Check out this video we created about the Treetop Tipi

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For more family vacation ideas check out my other posts 🙂