3 unique, nature-driven stays in the Texas Hill Country

By: Mauri Elbel

March, 2026

We rang in the new year in an unexpected way –– with a weeklong road trip through the Texas Hill Country.

Originally, I wanted to take a family trip to Maui, or maybe Mexico, over the holiday break, but flight prices were triple what they normally are during the peak travel window. Late last year, I’d also just booked our family of five flights for our Colorado ski trip in March, my brother’s wedding in Spain in May, and our annual summer trip to the Virgin Islands in June. When I floated the idea of another family trip in early January, my husband pleaded (er, begged) me to remain grounded for a while.

So, instead of jetting off for a far-flung adventure, we discovered some new ones in our own backyard, scouting out some of the most imaginative, nature-driven, family-friendly tree houses and hideaways sprinkled throughout the Texas Hill Country.

We not only saved money by foregoing pricey airfare, but we got richer in other ways, too. We made memories sleeping in the trees and staring up at the stars, we swapped screen time for family game nights, and we relished spending some time together away from the normal distractions.

Each unique property we stayed at offered up a refreshing reminder that sometimes the best adventures are waiting just down the road. From fantasy-like tree houses to luxurious glamping tents, these three memorable Hill Country hideaways are perfect for a nearby getaway this spring.

Yoki, Lofthaven, Juniper, and Willow treehouses each sleep two guests, and The Nest sleeps, pictured here, sleeps four guests regularly, but can accommodate up to six. Contributed by Cypress Valley

Sleeping in the trees at Cypress Valley Treehouses

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sleep in the trees, you’ll find the answer at Cypress Valley, where arboreal adventures unfold in the heart of the Hill Country. Just 30 miles outside of Austin’s city hum and an entire world away, you’ll find a collection of whimsical, sustainably built luxury treehouses cradled by the branches of towering Cypress trees, ranging between 50 to 150 feet tall and estimated to be between 500 and 600 years old.

We stayed in The Nest, the largest (and only family-sized retreat) of a handful of one-of-a-kind designs, featuring a series of playful viewing pods, a full kitchenette and dining room, an outdoor shower, a private bathhouse with a full-flush toilet, and a charming two-bedroom suite featuring rounded pallet-walled rooms and a cozy nook perfect for reading and playing board games. Each distinctive space is linked together by suspension bridges, steep steps and ladders. Take a walk down the picturesque property to enjoy lawn games, take a nap in a hammock, and, when the weather heats up, cool off in the lake or shallow pool.

The Nest has an emphasis on ‘up-cycling’, and biomimicry. With features such as round rooms, green roofs, pallet walls, and a slab tabletop, this treehouse is one-of-a-kind. Photo by Mauri Elbel

Resting our heads at The Nest felt a little like stepping into a scene from Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson. And when we woke up to a melon-hued sunrise, the only audible sounds were rustling leaves and chirping birds. Sleeping in the trees is just about as magical as it sounds, for both kids and for those who want to rediscover the joy of feeling like a kid again.

Dreamy dwellings at HoneyTree

Just seven minutes from Fredericksburg’s bustling Main Street, HoneyTree’s collection of thoughtfully designed tree homes and hideaways are tucked away from the city noise among the live oaks and sycamores. Each of the 17 dwellings sprinkled throughout two Fredericksburg locations, The Meadow and Blue Sage, is whimsical, imaginative, and impossibly dreamy.

The largest of the Blue Sage dwellings, No. 1 The Tree Mansion has a lofted king bedroom with an en suite bathtub nook and a downstairs bedroom with two twin bunk beds designed for children. Photo by Mauri Elbel

While most of the cabins are designed for couples, we checked into the largest of the Blue Sage designs — the family-friendly “Tree Mansion,” which sleeps two adults and four children, featuring a lofted king bedroom with tranquil soaking tub and a private balcony overlooking rolling Hill Country views as well as bunk room perfect for kids. Downstairs, there’s a kitchen with cooking essentials, a dining room, and a living room stocked with books, board games and even a piano and leads out to a private deck. When the weather is right, there’s also a communal pool, sauna and grilling area just steps away.

An added bonus? You’re just 10 minutes from Enchanted Rock –– and there’s no better way to start a spring day than atop this ancient pink dome, the second largest granite batholith in the nation, that rises up from the Hill Country.

Glamping along the Guadalupe beneath the stars at Basecamp Resort

Love the idea of camping, but prefer a plush mattress, air conditioning, and your own private hot tub perfectly poised for stargazing? Then the glamping tents at Basecamp Resort in Hunt are your answer –– I’m not joking when I say they are nicer than most hotels.

Japonica Tent includes A/C and heat, a living room with a queen sofa bed, a smart TV, a king-size bed with a memory foam mattress, and a large, fully enclosed bathroom with double sinks and a bath/shower combination, as well as a kitchenette with microwave, refrigerator, sink and Keurig coffee maker. Photo by Mauri Elbel

Nestled amid the oak-covered hills fringing the Guadalupe River, this Hill Country gem blends rustic charm with elevated comfort. In addition to glamping tents, the property features cabins, and a couple of lodges that sleep up to 13. When spring weather heats up, take a dip in the pool, take advantage of the river access, or kayak and fish in the small pond (although you may want to bring your own poles because the ones we tried to use were broken).

From the deck of your glamping tent, enjoy gorgeous views of the pond and surrounding hills just steps from the attached private yard featuring a gas grill and private hot tub. Contributed by Basecamp Resort

We loved staying in two side-by-side glamping tents, each its own luxurious retreat complete with private porch, hot tub and fire pit just outside the door. We awoke in the mornings to pink sunrises and birdsong, and we capped off our night beneath a blanket of stars spackled across the coal black sky.

Staying at Basecamp Resort is kind of like camping 2.0 –– book some glamping tents and bring along some friends to keep the kids entertained, as the closest town with restaurants and entertainment is Kerrville, about 20 minutes away. But spending a spring weekend here strikes the perfect balance of feeling outdoorsy and adventurous while remaining comfortable and well-rested.