This Magical Treehouse in Vermont Will Make You Feel Like a Kid Again

Deep in the woods of Hardwick, Vermont, next to a dancing stream among towering hemlocks, is a treehouse.

It’s a place without cell service or Wi-Fi. Where the music of rushing water lulls you to sleep each night, and the song of the fluttering winter wren wakes you at sunrise. 

Welcome to Stone City Treehouse and Glamping, an eclectic overnight experience in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. A place where you can unplug your mind, refresh your soul, and explore some of Vermont’s most beautiful spots.

Heather Davis, owner and host of Stone City, began making plans for the tree house in 2014. She brought that vision to life in 2017 when she hired The Treehouse Guys from central Vermont (formerly on the DIY Network) to design and build the treehouse platform. 

From there, Heather hired a small crew to build the walls, install the windows and doors, and install the roof. She did the rest herself, pouring hours into the project to create a space that is welcoming, simple, and quirky. 

Stone City prioritizes environmental and social responsibility, something I noticed and appreciated throughout my stay.

From the compost system and solar panels to the washable dish sponges and the welcoming lack of cell service and Wi-Fi, Stone City’s ambition is to help you slow down, tread lightly on the earth, and rekindle your love for the little miracles that surround us. 

This beautiful space has been featured in Yankee Magazine, AFAR, and Seven Days, and while it’s in high demand, there are still plenty of spots available for summer and fall. 

This special spot is one of Vermont’s most magical treehouses!

Ready to relive your childhood?

Welcome to Stone City Treehouse

Perched high above a stream in the woods, Stone City Treehouse is the perfect escape for couples or solo travelers (and dogs, too).

It’s quirky in all the best ways, and includes lots of special details to help you unplug and relax during your stay.

The interior space includes a small seating area, a propane ‘woodstove’ that’s warm enough for winter nights, a basic kitchenette with a mini fridge, a toaster oven, and a propane cooktop. Cookware and tableware are provided, as well as cooking oil and basic condiments.

Simple meals are suggested, and if you need to stock up on provisions, Buffalo Mountain Market in Hardwick is just a few miles away.

There is no running water in the treehouse, but the host provides a few gallons for you to use for cooking and washing up. Grey water goes into a small tank under the sink.

Climb the ladder to the small loft, and you’ll find a cozy double bed with plush linens and bedside lighting. In the warm weather, you can open the window in the loft, and the stream will sing you to sleep.

There is a small composting toilet inside the treehouse, giving outhouse vibes without making you do your business outdoors. Sprinkle woodchips after you’re done, and you won’t smell a thing!

A small balcony with seating for two overlooks the stream. This is the perfect spot for your morning coffee or evening meal when the weather cooperates.

Outside, you’ll find all kinds of treehouse magic, including a classic wooden swing, a gently swaying bed fit for a fairy queen (with bug netting, blankets, and pillows), and a smokeless fire pit tucked right next to the river with a dramatic view of the treehouse.

In the spring and early summer, you’ll notice all kinds of beautiful wildflowers, including trilliums, lady’s slippers, hobblebush, and trout lilies. 

AND there’s a sweet wood-fired sauna just a short walk from your forest digs. It’s free to use, but you have to reserve your slot online as it’s a shared amenity on the property. 

You could park your car and spend the next few days unplugging and living out your treehouse dreams, or you can make this enchanted spot your home base for exploring Vermont’s wild Northeast Kingdom. I recommend you do a little of each.

Introducing the Stone City Pebble Tent

In fall 2024, Heather introduced a new experience to the Stone City glamping experience — the Pebble Tent. Tucked in a quiet corner of the property, the Pebble Tent is located in a grove of young maples and birch trees. 

Instead of the eternal music of the rushing stream near the treehouse, the Pebble Tent offers silence, and instead of the enchanted-forest vibe surrounding the treehouse, expect a bit more sunshine. 

The Pebble Tent is a great spot for two, and dogs are welcome.

The accommodations include a plush queen-sized bed, an indoor and outdoor table, electricity, and an outdoor composting toilet. Two Adirondack chairs surround a smokeless fire pit, and wood and kindling are both provided. 

A propane cooktop is provided, along with pots, pans, dishes, and utensils for preparing basic meals.

While the treehouse is available year-round, the glamping tent is only available between May and October. Both provide a welcoming forest home for your Vermont vacation. 

Things to Do Near Hardwick

Make Stone City your home base for exploring Hardwick and Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Put these spots on your itinerary for a Vermont vacation to remember.

Food & Drink

• Positive Pie (Hardwick): wood-fired pizza and a great beer selection.
• The Cork and Fork (Hardwick): local, seasonal fare.
• Hill Farmstead Brewery (Greensboro): award-winning beer with dog-friendly outdoor seating.
• Parker Pie (Glover): fantastic pizza, beer, and special events.
• Hardwick Farmers’ Market (Fridays, May–October)
• Cabot Creamery at the Yellow Barn (Cabot): Specialty foods and Cabot dairy products.

Outdoor Adventures

• Hike to Nichols Ledge for fantastic views of Nichols Pond. The trail is closed between March and August for peregrine falcon nesting season.
• Ski or bike at Kingdom Trails or Craftsbury Outdoor Center
• Swim at Caspian Lake (Greensboro):

Art, Culture & Quirky Spots

• Bread and Puppet Theater (Glover): The sprawling property in Glover, Vermont, features multiple performance spaces, a 140-year-old barn-turned-puppet-museum, a memorial pine forest, and The Museum of Anti-Modern Art.
• Museum of Everyday Life (Glover): Admission is based on the honor system, and you never know what you’ll find, but it will undoubtedly be ordinary. And thought-provoking.
• Highland Center for the Arts (Greensboro): Music, theater, film, art, and food with something going on almost every day of the week.
• Galaxy Bookshop & local galleries (Hardwick): It’s a small but vibrant downtown with lots to explore.
• AM Foster Covered Bridge (Cabot): One of the most photographed covered bridges in Vermont, the Foster Covered Bridge is on private property, but there are some nice viewpoints from the road.

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