Our Story The Treehouse Gallery Amenities Reviews Location Check Availability
Garden Valley · East Texas Piney Woods

Upward Treehouse, a five-story family treehouse rental in Garden Valley, East Texas: Live among
the treetops

A magical five-story treehouse on eight private acres of forest — built for the kind of getaway your family will talk about forever.

★ 4.9 · 200+ reviews · Airbnb Guest Favorite
Scroll to climb
0Stories tall
0Guests sleep
0Private acres
0Star rating
Our story

Built by a family, for families

Jason and Liz Hartong spent fourteen months building Upward Treehouse with their six kids — five stories of hand-crafted wonder rising out of the piney woods, with real branches winding through the bedrooms and a lookout tower above the canopy.

Today they welcome families from all over as Airbnb Superhosts, with a 100% response rate and a stack of five-star reviews. It's still very much a family business — the same hands that built the place look after every guest who stays in it.

“I wanted to create a place where kids, for the rest of their life, would turn to their mom and dad and say — remember that one time we stayed in that treehouse?” — Jason Hartong, as told to KLTV 7
Upward Treehouse at dusk, glowing among the pines
14 monthsin the making
The treehouse

Five stories of wonder

Keep scrolling to climb — from the fire-lit forest floor all the way up to the 360° lookout tower.

G
2
3
4
5
Ground level

Gather at the forest floor

A covered patio with a comfortable dining area sits beneath the trees. Out back, a large stone fire pit ringed with benches waits for s'mores and starlight.

Level two

The open-air deck

Climb to an open-air deck with a comfortable sitting area and a flat-top gas grill — the perfect perch for morning coffee in the canopy or grilling dinner as the sun slips through the pines.

Level three

The heart of the house

The family room with two full-size sleeper sofas, a full kitchen, half bath and a wrap-around deck with a steaming two-person hot tub set out over the woods — there's a second one too, because this place believes in soaking. Across the breezeway: the primary suite with king bed, private bath, laundry and an outdoor shower.

Level four

Bunks & the loft

Spiral stairs wind past a real tree trunk up to the bunk-bed tower, a cozy loft bedroom, and a full bathroom. Kids have been known to never come back down.

Level five

The lookout tower

At the very top: a spectacular 360-degree view over the East Texas canopy. Sunrise coffee, sunset watching, and stars you forgot existed.

Fire pit surrounded by benches at sunset
The treehouse decks rising through the pines at dusk
Two-person hot tub on the wraparound deck over the woods
Upward Treehouse lit up among the pines at night
Upward Treehouse rising above the trees at sunset
Amenities

Everything, elevated

Two hot tubs

Two 2-person hot tubs perched in the canopy.

Fire pit

A large stone fire pit ringed with benches under the stars.

Full kitchen

Cook real meals — grocery delivery reaches the treehouse, too.

Wifi + workspace

A dedicated workspace, if you absolutely must.

Outdoor showers

Shower in the trees — plus an outdoor soaking tub.

Self check-in

Arrive on your schedule with smartlock entry, 4 PM – 9 PM.

3 porches & decks

Wrap-around decks, a hammock swing, and endless sitting spots.

8 acres of forest

A walking trail to a spring-fed creek, all yours to explore.

An honest country note: our treehouse is in a tree, in a forest, in the piney woods of East Texas — so you may meet a bug or two despite our diligent care. Welcome to the country! 🌲

Where you'll sleep

Room for the whole crew

Three bedrooms, nine beds, and two sleeper sofas — thirteen of your favorite people, all up a tree.

Primary suite with king bed

Primary suite

King bed · private bath · own deck

Bunk tower

Bunk tower

4 single bunks · built around branches

Loft bedroom

The loft

Double + single · canopy views

Family room

Family room

2 full-size sleeper sofas

The king bed in Suite B, with a tree growing through the roomAdults only · same treehouse
Just the two of you?

Romantic Suite B

Suite B is the romantic half of Upward Treehouse — book it on its own for a getaway for two. The rest of the treehouse stays empty while you're there.

  • A king bed on the third level, a kitchenette and a full bath
  • A private two-person hot tub and an outdoor shower in the trees
  • A wraparound deck with a hammock, plus the fire pit and all eight acres
  • Adults only — no kids
Guest reviews
4.9
★★★★★
from 203 reviews on Airbnb · 92% five-star
🏆 Airbnb Guest Favorite
84 mention family fun 37 love the outdoor spaces 34 praise the cleanliness 28 slept like a log 22 rave about the kitchen
Communication
5.0
Cleanliness
4.9
Accuracy
4.9
Check-in
4.9
Location
4.9
Value
4.8
As featured in

Word is getting out

See it to believe it

Take the tour

Official Upward Treehouse video tour
The official tour
Guest video review of Upward Treehouse
A guest's video review
Jason and Liz Hartong on The 903 Podcast
Jason & Liz on The 903 Podcast
Location

Middle of nowhere, close to everything

Tucked on a quiet dead-end country road in Garden Valley, between Lindale and Van — about two miles north of I-20, halfway between Dallas and Shreveport. Exact address shared after booking.

Lindale, TX — Walmart, restaurants & candy company~10 min
Hideaway, TX — lakes & golf~15 min
Canton, TX — First Monday Trade Days~20 min
Mineola, TX — historic downtown & nature preserve~25 min
Tyler, TX — rose gardens, zoo & everything else~30 min
Dallas, TX~90 min

Our private road is wonderful for walking and biking — expect to wave at neighbors' horses, donkeys and chickens. Down the trail you'll find a spring-fed creek running through the property.

Pin shows the general area. The exact address is shared after booking.

Good to know

Questions, answered

Where is Upward Treehouse?

Upward Treehouse is in Garden Valley, Texas, on a quiet dead-end country road between Lindale and Van — about two miles north of I-20, roughly 30 minutes from Tyler and 90 minutes from Dallas. The exact address is shared after booking.

How many people does Upward Treehouse sleep?

Up to 13 guests. There are three bedrooms with nine beds — a king primary suite, a bunk tower with four single bunks and a loft with a double and a single — plus two full-size sleeper sofas in the family room, 2.5 baths and four showers.

Is Upward Treehouse good for kids?

Yes — it is the family treehouse. Kids love the bunk tower built around real branches and the eight acres of forest. Couples looking for an adults-only stay can book Suite B or Moon Honey Treehouse instead.

Does the treehouse have a hot tub?

It has two two-person hot tubs set out over the woods, plus outdoor showers and an outdoor soaking tub.

What are check-in and checkout times?

Self check-in with a smart lock is from 4 PM to 9 PM, and checkout is at 10 AM.

Can I book Upward Treehouse direct?

Yes. Check the calendar on this page and book direct with Jason and Liz, or book through Airbnb, where they are Superhosts with a 100% response rate.

Nearby: Lindale, TX (about 10 minutes) · Canton, TX (First Monday Trade Days) (about 20 minutes) · Tyler, TX (about 30 minutes) · Dallas, TX (about 90 minutes).

Book your stay

Your treehouse awaits

Check the calendar for open dates, then book direct with us — where we're a Superhost with a 100% response rate (usually within the hour).

  • Self check-in 4–9 PM · checkout 10 AM
  • Up to 13 guests · kids welcome — this is the family treehouse
  • Free parking for 4 cars
  • Split the cost — it holds two families easily

Pick your dates

Book direct · secure checkout
Every stay

More from the family.

Treehouses, a suite for two, a vintage cabin and a 1969 RV in the East Texas pines, each with its own mood. Bring the whole crew, steal away for two, or settle in by the fire.

The piney woods are calling

Remember that one time we stayed in a treehouse?

Make it the story your family tells for years.

Start Your Adventure →
Built by A2Z Services

A2Z Services Texas is the family's home-services company: remodeling, carpentry, roofing, painting and repairs across East Texas. Get a free estimate →