Small home experts Alexis Stephens and Christian Parsons have been taking their tiny house on wheels around North America to find functional, attractive little abodes and advocate for living simply. After almost five years on the road, they were stopped in their tracks by a treehouse in the Columbia River Gorge.

Elevated 20 feet above the ground on private property in White Salmon, Washington, is the Klickitat Treehouse, a Scandinavian-style dwelling fully supported by three Douglas fir trees.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights frame views of Mount Adams and the forest canopy.

“This is not a tiny house on a platform in the trees, but a well-engineered house and deck,” says Stephens, who is a documentary filmmaker as is Parsons.

Both are hosts of “Tiny House Expedition,” streaming on SHG (Smart. Healthy. Green) Living Network.

They have also documented their 55,000 miles of traveling in their homemade home, and provide resources and information about legal tiny dwellings on their Tiny House Expedition website.

The couple spent a night in the 500-square-foot Klickitat Treehouse, and appreciated its aesthetic, efficient use of space and its “magical” qualities. “There’s an intimate connection to the natural world. You feel cradled,” says Stephens.

Electricity powers lights and appliances, but there is no TV or internet.

“It’s the epitome of a treehouse, a childhood dream come true,” says Stephens, who grew up in the mountains of Colorado.

Owners Taryn and Colin Mooney, a home builder, studied with Pete Nelson of Animal Planet’s “Treehouse Masters” series to create the Klickitat Treehouse. They call its style alpine modern and outfitted the home with luxuries like a leather sofa and every convenience, from air conditioning to an oven.

Sliding glass doors in the 18-foot-tall living room open to the viewing deck with Adirondack chairs, a patio table and propane grill. A big hit is the outdoor shower; there’s also a shower in the full bathroom.

The Mooneys rent their treehouse, which sleeps six among three beds in a bedroom and a loft area, at $382 a night on Airbnb, depending on the date and season.

Sharing the 15-acre property is the couple’s first construction, the Cedar Shack Tiny House, a cabin with 250 square feet of space. Here, two people can sleep in the lofted queen-size bed.

Airbnb found that treehouses are the top trending vacation stay for U.S. travelers, who seek the safety and cleanliness of private, entire homes during the coronavirus. The vacation rental company’s survey and bookings show that people want to stay close to home in 2021, yet still enjoy exciting adventures and one-of-a-kind lodging.

Treehouses around the world also rose to the top in Airbnb’s Most Wishlisted Listings for 2021.

Before you start a road trip, check govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19 for the most current travel recommendations and best practices to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. Also read 10 things to consider before going back outside during the coronavirus pandemic in Oregon.

For all of Oregon, face coverings are required for everyone five and older in indoor public spaces and outdoors anywhere physical distancing isn’t possible.

Each vacation rental should state its contactless, safety and disinfecting protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Here are Oregon treehouse vacation rentals on Airbnb:

Log cabin with a treehouse on the Rogue River: Stay in a large log home with a treehouse fort, playground, horseshoe pit, zip line and tire swing on a 120-acre property with a half mile of river frontage in Trail.

There is direct access to the river for fishing, and an in-ground fire pit and a gas grill to cook dinner. There is a picnic table overlooking the river, on the deck, and a custom-made table that seats 14 under the canopy of trees near the treehouse.

Nearby are lakes, waterfalls and scenic hiking trails. It’s about 60 miles to Crater Lake National Park.

Details

• Accommodates eight guests
• Three bedrooms, four beds
• Two bathroom
• Around $296 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Heartland Treehouse on Oregon’s south coast: Sounds of a nearby waterfall will soothe you to sleep inside the treehouse perched between two massive fir trees and overlooking a steep river canyon in Langlois. The home is secluded, comfortable and perfect for getting blissed out and recharged, says the owner.

Details

• Accommodates two guests
• One bed in the bedroom
• One bathroom
• Around $145 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Forestree at Out ‘n’ About Treehouse Treesort outside of Cave Junction: The lofty abode sits 32 feet off of the ground in Takilma. Guests climb three flights of stairs, crossing two suspension bridges and then another seven stairs to reach the room. As with any treehouse, when the wind blows the trees, the room moves.

From here, explore the Oregon Caves National Monument, the Redwood National Forest and the Oregon coast. Or stay in the area and enjoy hiking, fishing and rafting.

Details

• Accommodates five guests
• Four beds
• A powder room with a full bathroom on the ground level
• Around $155 a night on average, depending on travel dates

Off the Grid and Forty Feet Up in Tiller: The Summit Prairie lookout tower in a meadow is accessed by four flights of stairs and has a glass-enclosed main floor with a full kitchen, sleeping area, hot and cold running water, and heater and lamps. Comfortable beds are also in the cupola. The 2021 season is April 1 through mid-November (booking is Feb. 28 and June 7).

Crater Lake National Park is a two-hour drive away and Ashland, site of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Historic Jacksonville, site of the Britt Festival, are both 90 minutes away. The South Umpqua Falls is a 45-minute drive and the Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville is an hour away on a country road.

Or stay and daydream in the hammocks down the hill or soak in a secluded wood-fired, spring-fed hot tub.

Details

• Accommodates four guests
• One bedroom and three beds
• One bathroom
• Around $207 a night on average, depending on travel dates

See more ideas: 10 cool treehouses: These elevated vacation getaways are for rent Do we really ever grow out of wanting a treehouse? A vacation rental might answer that question.

These modern dwellings in mostly remote forests are perfect perches for birdwatchers and nature lovers, but they’re not always easy to reach. They’re rustic and may offer waterfront views but not indoor running water.

Looking for more getaway ideas?

Here’s a roundup of past getaway stories. A lot has changed during the coronavirus pandemic. Check with each rental company.

Part of the allure of getting away is to experience a different environment and that includes the architecture of the place you’re staying. It may not be possible to live full-time in a tiny house the size of a bedspread or a floating house on the river, but it’s fun to spend a few days there.

Here’s a series of travel stories spotlighting the architecture of vacation stays.

Work from someone else’s Oregon home: Book an office getaway: Are you craving a change of working-from-home scenery? Consider this: People are booking a larger place or one in an interesting location where they can spread out, use the desks and WiFi, and when work is done, they can leisurely explore a new neighborhood.

Getaway ideas to close-by, less-crowded places: The Portland-based travel experts at Vacasa vacation home rentals checked where spring breakers escaped to in 2018 and 2019, and found alternative smaller towns and cities nearby. These getaways can be a deal.

Rent an Oregon RV: Escape to nature with a roomy RV, sleek Airstream or colorful camper van: Oregon is loaded with picturesque, pothole-free country roads that lead to waterfalls and other scenic spots. If you feel like traveling, but not in a plane or staying at hotels, you might want to rent a self-contained, roomy RV, sleek Airstream or colorful camper van for a weekend or longer.

Outdoorsy, an online rental marketplace, connects recreational vehicle owners with people who’d like to use them.

Class As, vintage Airstreams and kitschy camper vans are outfitted with bedding, kitchenware and camp equipment. Some owners add 120v outlets and USB ports for charging phones and laptops, and goodies, like Brew Dr. Kombucha, Field Trip Jerky and Grizzlies Granola.

Zen-like getaways: Oregon offers calm vacation destinations (and serene ideas for your home): Oregon has zen-like vacation homes in which to safely escape. Or, if you’re looking for design ideas or serene colors that promote tranquility, you’ll find inspiration just looking at photos of this week’s getaway gallery of calming places.

Stay in the Manzanita Schoolhouse and other unique Oregon getaways: It is time to plan for a family getaway? Here’s a unique place to stay on the Oregon coast: The completely remodeled 1927 Pine Grove Schoolhouse with forest and water views in Manzanita can be rented as a vacation stay.

The one-acre property, 12 blocks from the beach, is owned by a longtime Portland family that has been visiting Manzanita and Oswald West State Park since the 1970s.

The landscaped grounds of the Manzanita Schoolhouse have a lake view and plenty of lawn to space out safely and play croquet, badminton, bocce ball. Toss a softball or fly kites. Or just sit in the gazebo or around the fire pit. You can also barbecue under the stars on the three grills.

Get away to an Oregon vacation home with a dock: Make a splash with the whole family: A dock is one of those wonderful, in-between spaces that links one surface, land, to another, water. There’s really no need for a boat. You can enjoy the wooden platform just because it lets you look out and it sways a bit, as if you’re dancing without any effort.

In this getaway guide, we look at docks connected to an Oregon vacation home large enough to invite the whole family, when you’re ready to travel again.

Oregon getaways for the whole family: Are you ready to plan for fun on the water? When your family or friends feel it’s time to break away from home, Oregon’s wide open spaces and waterways will beckon. How about boarding a houseboat or yacht?

The GetMyBoat app lets you search for boat rentals, fishing charters or other water experiences in a desired location by price, type of experience and number of guests.

Airbnb picks the West Coast’s top destination, and it’s Eugene: These are the most wish-listed rentals of Airbnb’s more than 7 million homestays scattered across the world, which West Coast city rose to the top as a destination more people want to visit in 2020?

Eugene. The reasons? Travelers like to be around nature and big events, says the lodging company. Green-thinking Eugene has both hiking trails and the University of Oregon’s constant activities.

10 ideal Airbnb rentals for sweet Cannon Beach getaways: For people who dream of having a beach house, an Oregon Coast vacation rental is a sweet substitute.

In addition to hotels and B&B, Cannon Beach visitors can check into a cottage or condo, wrapped in classic cedar shingles and equipped with a kitchenette and patio, that’s operated by hospitality professionals as well as homeowners with space to spare.

Airbnb’s research found visitors book their Cannon Beach getaway at least two months before their trip. Nightly rentals are restricted and people devoted to special events like the crowd-pleasing Sandcastle Contest and hilarious corgi run race to reserve a place.

10 top Ashland Airbnb home stays for couples, families, girl groups: Online travel agent Daniel Perry manages 100 vacation rentals in Ashland, from a single room to an entire house, where a chef can be hired to make meals. We asked the owner of BookStayHop to suggest a home stay for various Ashland visitors, from singles and couples to large groups.

Many of the vacation rentals are in Ashland’s downtown area, which allows out-of-towners to leave a car behind and live like a local, says Perry.

The best of Oregon’s oddball vacation getaways: Treehouses, RVs, yachts: You might not be able to take a vacation now, but you can dream of one and even make plans. To inspire you, we’re selected a list of the best of Oregon’s oddball vacation getaways, from treehouses and a fire lookout tower to sleek Airstreams and colorful camper vans.

The best of Oregon’s getaway ideas: Escape to beaches, vineyards, mountains: You might not be able to take a vacation now, but you can dream of one and even make plans. To inspire you, we’re selected a list of the best Oregon getaway ideas, from beaches and rivers to vineyards and mountains.

10 snowy getaways near Crater Lake get you close to free ranger tours: Are you ready to be whisked off on snowshoes to explore corners of Crater Lake? Rangers offer free tours and equipment, but you’ll need to get there first since the Crater Lake Lodge and all park campgrounds are closed until late May.

Vacation getaways: Yachts, yurts and other unusual Oregon home rentals: To celebrate a seriously special occasion, you can charter the Disco Volante, a 45-foot yacht with three levels of luxury. We’re talking swim platforms and sun pads, and a ban on red wine and orange Cheetos to protect the pricey teak and tan finishes.

10 glamorous historic mansions and homes for rent: Are you curious about what luxury looked like a century ago and how it feels today? In this week’s home stay getaway gallery, we peek into 10 historic mansions and homes that you can rent for a day or longer.

Escape to the middle of nowhere: Stay in a serene Oregon vacation home surrounded by nature: Secluded. Remote. Private. An Oregon getaway, surrounded by nature, may be the perfect antidote to cabin fever after months of working, studying and staying at home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Imagine enjoying open air, outdoor recreation along a river or mountain trails. Or just relaxing on a deck surrounded by trees.

10 Oregon coast getaways to enjoy a Victorian-style Christmas at the Heceta Head Lighthouse: Lighthouses are a beacon to captains and people curious about these rare, old navigational towers.

Wild, romantic honeymoons: Start a marriage off right or rekindle your relationship: Which destination is right for you two? You’ll find it on the coast or in the mountains, desert or forest. Or maybe in a lighthouse?

10 Oregon coast getaways to see Shore Acres’ stunning holiday light display: If you’re looking for a place that’s all aglow for the holidays, Shore Acres State Park’s display of 325,000 decorative lights on the southern Oregon coast will blow you away.

10 tempting, crazy Oregon getaways when you’re ready to get out there: Oregon has an amazing collection of eclectic places to stay, from the coast to the Wallowa Mountains, tiny Tiller to populated Portland, a beach cottage to a cabin. And then there are some weird rentals in alluring locations.

10 cozy, cool, crazy cabin vacation getaways: Escape to Oregon mountains and lakes or the California desert: The need to be in nature may be strong, but there are so many ways to relax amid towering trees in the mountains or next to a lake.

Escape to one of Oregon’s wacky, funky, adorable getaways for rent like this quaint, solar-powered cabin near Vancouver: Getaways mean more than staying in a different shelter. Vacations are supposed to be physical and mental escapes from real life.

If you truly want an experience that’s unlike the place you lay your head, check out Oregon’s wacky, funky, adorable lodging, from a Swiss Family Robinson luxury tree resort to an off-the-grid yurt.

How about sleeping in a teepee on a yak ranch in Bend? In this home stay gallery, we check out 10 oddball abodes that you can check into.

Rent oddball RVs, sleek Airstreams, colorful camper vans, teardrop trailers a la Airbnb: A long holiday weekend may inspire a road trip. You can ride your own wheels or rent a roomy RV, sleek Airstream or colorful camper van, through a company or private owner, a la Airbnb.

10 accessible Airbnb rentals in Portland, Palm Springs and London: Srin Madipalli is a devoted world traveler who uses a wheelchair. To make it easier to find accessible lodging when booking online, he co-created Accomable, an online resource that was acquired by Airbnb in 2017.

Since then, Madipalli, who heads Airbnb’s accessibility team, has refined the homestay rental company’s search filters to help people with disabilities and their families find places that can be easily enjoyed without steps or stairs, and other accommodations.

“No two people with a disability are the same, so we offer 27 accessibility filters for a spectrum of needs, and we’re working on more,” says Madipalli.

Get away to Astoria on the Oregon coast for craft beer, hikes and ‘Goonies’ fun: If you’re longing to escape to the Oregon coast and it’s safe to travel in Oregon, head as far north as you can until you meet the Columbia River and settle into Astoria. The oldest city in Oregon is famous for fun, from craft beer savored slowly on cool decks to grab-and-go burgers and bakery treats.

Fort Stevens State Park was declared the state’s best park by Jamie Hale, travel writer for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Take a hike in any direction and instead of straining to sneak a street-side peek of the privately owned, off-limits house where “The Goonies” was filmed, head over the Oregon Film Museum to see where the jail scene was staged.

10 luxury home rentals let you dream big on vacation: Vacations are supposed to be a fantasy come true. Yet, most of us stick somewhat to a budget. But ... we can dream.

Here are 10 luxury home rentals that cost more for one day than most people’s monthly housing expenses. Still, there’s something appealing about looking at perfect scenery from a secluded perch surrounded by nature and deluxe perks (yes, a butler).

In time for holiday giving – or making plans for a wedding or family reunion – we spotlight off-the-charts, Neiman Marcus fantasy gift level of getaways to rent, in Oregon and once-in-a-lifetime, fabulous destinations.

Travel deals benefit road trippers: Check out Oregon’s unique vacation getaways: Vacations might have been delayed during the spring and summer due to stay-at-home orders and concern over the coronavirus pandemic. But some people are making plans to travel later this year for a change of scenery and to take advantage of deals in high-demand locales, according to research conducted by the vacation rental online marketplace Vrbo.

Working remotely and home schooling grant people flexible schedules to get away in the late summer and fall, sometimes staying away longer than usual. The travel trend has a name: Flexcation.

Portland high-rise apartments can be rented by the day: The owners of some high-end Portland apartment buildings allow units that are not yet leased to be rented through short-term vacation stay sites like Stay Alfred and Portland-based Vacasa.

While the neighbors have settled in for the long haul, with year-long contracts and a key to a mailbox, short-timers are using lockboxes or concierge desks to check in for day or two.

The fee for a furnished apartment, which can be $80 to more than $1,000 a night, includes a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and housekeeping services.

Online travel agencies comply with permits, pay lodging taxes and in some buildings, contact customers disturbing the peace.

10 vacation rentals with closeup views of Oregon’s fabulous fall colors: If you live in Oregon, you can look out almost any window and see greenery. Starting now through mid-October, you’ll also see bronze, crimson and golden autumn leaves.

Where to stay for Willamette Valley’s Wine Country Thanksgiving: From a tiny house to vineyard villa: Thanksgiving weekend in Oregon’s wine-growing regions is an action-packed chance for patrons of pinot noir and other varietals to barrel taste this year’s vintage as flavors mature and to enjoy food pairings with bottles that have been released (and perhaps are on sale).

10 vacation getaways to join Mount Hood’s New Year’s Eve parties: Are you searching for a memorable way to watch the dawn of a new decade? How about ringing in 2020 from Oregon’s tallest mountain?

Are you ready to escape to a scenic spot near mineral hot springs? Oregon has an abundance of natural hot springs, some easily accessible, others completely remote, reports Oregonian/OregonLive’s travel writer Jamie Hale, who compiled a list of day-use springs.

Dozens of Oregon getaways let you soak in natural hot springs: Ease into the new year by soaking the day away at Crane Hot Springs, a getaway off Oregon Route 78 east of Burns that the Oregonian/OregonLive travel writer Jamie Hale calls “an oasis.”

If you’re too relaxed to leave a cedar tub bubbling with mineral water from natural hot springs ($15 an hour) or the soothing, 101-degree pool ($10 for four hours), stay overnight inside a rustic room or tepee, or set up a tent or park your RV at one of the campsites.

Perhaps you’d like to explore beyond the remote resort? The slow winter season in southeast Oregon’s high desert will allow time to learn about the area’s fascinating prehistoric history and other places to soak.

— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman