PEOPLE + PLACES / getaways
NOT YOUR CHILDHOOD
TREEHOUSES A visit to The Mohicans Treehouse Resort in Ohio
BY ERIC D. GOODMAN
Little Red Treehouse, 1 bed, 1/2 bath 
W e weren’t sure quite what to
expect when we were invited
to stay a weekend at a tree-
house resort. Sure, I’d spent some time in
treehouses as a child, but we knew that the
treehouses of today can be quite a different
thing. One has only to watch a few epi-
sodes of Animal Planet’s Treehouse Mas-
ters to know that.

The six-hour drive from Maryland to
central Ohio’s Amish country was a scenic
one as we went from an urban landscape
to country roads. National Geographic
named the area around the treehouse
resort one of the most beautiful places in
the world for foliage. It lived up to that
reputation during our autumn drive.

As we honed in on the general area, we
began seeing fewer cars—and we even
passed a few Amish horse-and-buggies.

The last half hour or so of our drive was
spent navigating over gravel and dirt roads
through the wooded landscape. Finally, we
arrived at our destination: The Mohicans.

12 • MONTGOMERYMAG.COM
COURTESY OF THE MOHICANS TREEHOUSE RESORT
Making a Village
Nestled in the heart of Ohio’s Mohican
Valley, this treehouse village is both a resort
and a wedding venue. The village is located
on a 77-acre private wooded area. Less
Ewok Village and more glamping suites,
the nine unique treehouses and additional
cabins are works of architectural art that
perfectly blend into the landscape, as
though they had grown here.

But these houses didn’t just grow on trees.

It took a special kind of skill to conceive
of and construct these little homes. Each
treehouse is unique, with different designs,
looks and themes. One is even built out of a
vintage Airstream camper.

The owners and operators of The
Mohicans believe in sustainable building
and operations, and they make efforts
to ensure the accommodations blend in
naturally with the environment. That said,
we’re not talking camouflage. Gabled roofs,
lit-up windows, and sprawling decks make
the designs really stand out.

A Treetop Neighborhood
One treehouse, The Silver Bullet, is built
with an actual full-size Airstream camper.

The vintage Airstream rests 25 feet up in
a tree and is surrounded by a rustic deck.

More “glamper” than “camper,” this RV
in the sky puts the “air” in Airstream, the
owners like to say.

The Little Red Treehouse colors the
otherwise green and brown landscape with
bright red—a large cathedral window in
front. It was designed and constructed,
using an Amish crew, for an episode of
Treehouse Masters. Originally a brewery
tasting center, it was redesigned as another
guest house in the trees. The home is
currently under renovation again as
improvements continue.

Their first treehouse remains one of their
largest: The White Oak. It, too, was built
for an episode of Treehouse Masters and
features two levels, two bedrooms with
queen-sized beds, a full bath inside and a
second private shower outside on the porch.

The porch wraps around three sides of the
treehouse, which also includes a full kitchen,
and a living room with a sectional sofa.

Another treehouse, Old Pine, features
two bedrooms and is accessible by
climbing a distant staircase and long
suspension bridge. The design and décor
evoke an 1800s vibe, and hundred-year-old
barn wood was used in its construction.

The Nest is a honeymoon suite
overlooking the on-site wedding venue.

Designed by Roderick Romero, it’s a single
octagonal tower with cathedral windows,
a wrap-around deck and a massive
Californian mahogany arched front door.

The Nest is accessible by crossing a wooden
bridge from across the trail.

More than Treehouses
The Mohicans Treehouse Resort is also an
upscale wedding venue set in the woods.

Amid the treehouses and cabins, there



is a large barn-like building for hosting
weddings and corporate events.

Don’t let the rustic barn exterior fool you;
the interior of this two-story timber-framed
structure is elegant. A solid oak staircase
leads to an upper-level mezzanine that leads
to an outside deck.

The place settings are as formal as one
would find at a more traditional wedding
venue, with white tablecloths, China, crystal
and silver.

Our Castle in the Trees
During our visit, we stayed in El Castillo.

The rustic, reclaimed wood—and
craftsmanship of Amish carpenters—
helps the treehouse blend into the
collection of trees upon which it perches.

The tall, octagonal tower features large
picture windows on both levels. Inside:
rustic luxury. The bottom floor features
a comfortable living room, dining area,
kitchenette and full bath with a stone shower.

A second private shower is outside on the
wraparound porch. A custom spiral staircase
leads to a second floor, where we found our
large master bedroom with a king-sized
bed, an upper balcony deck, more picture
windows and a uniquely spiked ceiling.

When we told our friend from Columbus
that we were visiting for a romantic
treehouse getaway, she knew she had
to swing by. We were enjoying a long
weekend here, and we invited her to join
us for an evening.

The Murphy-style, queen-sized
hideaway bed on the main floor folded out
from the wall and made accommodating
guests easy and comfortable.

Perhaps it doesn’t go without saying,
since these are treehouses in the woods,
so I’ll say it: the treehouses and cabins at
The Mohicans have running water, hot
water, indoor bathrooms, kitchenettes and
electricity. Ours even had a television and
DVD player, although we had little need
for it. We were here to experience the
treehouses and surroundings.

Comfortably inside, it can be easy
to forget that the real draw to the area
is the outdoors. We went outside the
main feature—the treehouse—to enjoy a
campfire in the firepit below El Castillo.

Others in distant treehouses and cabins
had lit fires and distant music playing.

We enjoyed campfire discussions, hikes
in the woods and an exploration of the
treehouses all around us—when we
weren’t enjoying the treehouse that was
our home for the weekend.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Before Booking a Trip to
Remember A weekend at The Mohicans left us feeling
refreshed and reconnected with nature.

Be aware that this is, indeed, a remote
stay in nature, not in a city. There are no
restaurants or cafes on site—unless you’re
here for a wedding or event. Although
the accommodations are luxurious, you’ll
want to bring your own provisions: meals,
coffee, drinks, snacks. The resort provides
toiletries and linens, towels and electricity
and water. You bring the meat and
potatoes, vegetables and fruits, beer and
wine. Prepare as you would for a camping
trip. Or, plan as you may have planned for
a night spent in the neighbor’s treehouse of
your childhood.

Learn more or book your reservations by
visiting their website at themohicans.net. 9
Eric D. Goodman is the author of six books.

His novel, “Setting the Family Free,” takes
place in central Ohio, not far from The
Mohicans. Following the release of exotic
animals into a rural community, it may
make for the perfect read during a stay at The
Mohicans. Learn more about Eric and his
writing at EricDGoodman.com.

MONTGOMERYMAG.COM • 13