I backpacked across Canada for a week and spent one night in a treehouse in wine country. It was the most relaxing part of my trip.

• I spent one night in a two-story treehouse I found on Airbnb outside of Niagara Falls, Canada.
• Located in Ontario’s wine country, the treehouse surrounded by vineyards cost $290 for one night.

About 20 minutes west of Niagara Falls, Canada, is a house built on eight pine trees set 10 feet off the ground.

The treehouse is located in Lincoln, Ontario’s remote wine country. The property is situated on a farm with orchards, vineyards, a ravine, and plenty of trees.

In August of 2022, I paid $290 to spend one night in the treehouse I found on Airbnb during a weeklong backpacking trip through Canada, where I traveled by train from NYC to Niagara Falls, New York, and walked into Niagara Falls, Canada, on foot. After three days in the Niagara Falls area, I took a bus up to Toronto for a night. From there, I traveled to Montréal and Québec City by train and spent one night in each city before flying home to New York.

When I planned out my Canadian adventure, I wanted to mix time in big cities with the chance to get a feel for life in smaller towns and take a moment to relax.

My stay in the treehouse followed two days in Niagara Falls that were packed with crowds, so I was ready for a night in complete isolation. Although it wasn’t as convenient as being in an area full of restaurants and things to do, I loved feeling totally alone in this quiet, natural place.

I took an Uber from Niagara Falls to reach the remote location and followed signs posted by the host leading to the house hidden in the trees. It would have been easy to miss if I wasn’t looking for it. As my host met me at the steps leading up to the house, she told me that her husband and son built the treehouse together.

At the top of the steps, a porch stretched around to the back and side of the house. I thought it was a peaceful, shady place to sit and work or enjoy the surrounding nature. Sitting on the porch amid a forest of trees, I thought this treehouse was the best remote office I’ve had the pleasure of working in.

Inside, the house was full of natural light thanks to tall windows and windowed doors.

The front door opened into one central room that included a kitchenette. It came with a microwave, fridge, coffee maker, and dishes. There was AC to keep me cool, and a vessel sink for washing dishes.

Above the cabinets full of dishes, I noticed stacks of board games I would have played had I brought a buddy on my trip. There was no TV, but I thought the multitude of games and puzzles provided offered more forms of entertainment. Plus, there was Wi-Fi that was fast enough for me to stream movies on my laptop.

Upstairs was a loft bedroom where I slept. Here, the treehouse theme continued with wooden walls and nature-inspired wall art. I thought the queen-sized bed was comfortable. I enjoyed lying down and looking out the window at the vineyard below.

The house’s location between the vineyard and the woods made for a stunning variety of views.

I thought it was the perfect place to reflect on my travels thus far, jot down notes about my observations, and go through the thousands of photos I’d already taken.

A year after my stay, I’m still thinking about my night in the treehouse. I’d love to go back for a few days to completely recharge. I didn’t get a chance to cook a meal in the kitchen or spend a day just reading outside — something I used to do a lot as a kid.

Amid a trip full of cities and tourist hot spots, this treehouse was a hidden gem that helped me escape the crowds and enjoy a slower pace of life.