These Epic New Tree Houses in Tennessee Are on a Mountain Above the Tallest Underground Waterfall in the U.S. (2024)

On a recent winter day, I made the drive from my home in Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tennessee, an easy two-hour journey north, for a pre-holiday escape. I’d been to Ruby Falls, an underground 145-foot waterfall, before on many childhood field trips. But the attraction on Lookout Mountain recently added three custom-made tree houses that overlook the cave entrance and city below.

They were made by the team at Treetop Hideaways, who have another tree house resort nearby and have been featured on the show Treehouse Masters for their luxurious tree houses that put childhood creations to shame.

The morning of my arrival, I got an email with all of the relevant details I’d need for my stay, including parking information and the access code for the cabin. It also had directions on where exactly to go when I arrived, since the tree houses are set on a service road just above the main entrance to Ruby Falls with an easy-to-miss sign. I also got a text from the concierge service asking if I needed anything.

The three cabins can accommodate up to five guests each and are named for different types of plants found in the region: Redbud, Wood Lily, and Dogwood. I was assigned to Redbud and found my way to the cabin via gravel path. The tree house had a mural that says “See Ruby Falls,” a nod to the advertisem*nt barns once found all over the Southeast and is made from salvaged materials, including barnwood.

I didn’t need help with my bags since I packed light, but the parking lot area has firewood and retro Radio Flyer wagons to help you bring your luggage to your cabin. Before reaching the cabin, I saw the outdoor entertaining space each cabin has, including a grill station, fire pit, and hammock. It was a bit chilly for me, but I could see myself spending hours there during warmer months. Climbing the stairs, I found the wraparound porch, the perfect spot to take in the sunset.

I ventured into town for dinner, but otherwise used my stay to cozy up inside the cabin, reading a book from the bathtub and enjoying the peace and quiet.

Here’s my review of the Treetop Hideaways at Ruby Falls.

The Rooms

The room layouts vary based on the tree house, but mine had a lofted area with a full-size bed, an antique record player, and side tables built into the wall. The skylights and windows allow you to stargaze from bed, but if you don’t wake up with the sun, I’d bring an eye mask. Down the ladder is the living area, which has a leather couch that converts into a bed.

There’s a small desk if you feel like penning the Great American Novel and a kitchenette stocked with a mini fridge and microwave, plus a coffee-making station. The kitchen sink is a converted washtub, and the cabin has plants scattered throughout. A closet has bathrobes and umbrellas for guest use.

The bathroom is hidden behind a sliding salvaged door, with a shower and egg-shaped toilet. The sink is made from a converted statue and the basin is also made from reclaimed materials. Outside is the soaking tub, with curtains for privacy.

Food and Drink

The tree houses have the essentials, like coffee makers, and come stocked with granola bars, s'mores fixings, water, and a bottle of wine. Ruby Falls has a small cafe, but for anything more substantial, you’ll have to venture out. Thankfully, the historic St. Elmo neighborhood at the foot of the mountain has plenty of options.

Purple Daisy Picnic Cafe is a longtime favorite, a cozy bric-a-brac filled space serving Southern-style barbecue and sides like Brunswick stew and banana pudding. Locals love the housemade pasta at Boccaccia Restaurant. Little Coyote is the latest from chef Eric Niel, who runs the best restaurants in town. The menu is a fusion of barbecue and Tex-Mex, so order a few dishes to share like the queso and shrimp al ajillo, plus mezcal and tequila co*cktails.

Activities and Experiences

The tree houses have everything you need for a few nights, including locally made toiletries from Good Fortune and coffee from Goodman Coffee. The microwave and mini fridge are perfect for any snacks you may want, but don’t expect to cook a full meal during your stay. There’s also a picnic set if you want to take it with you hiking.

Use your stay as a chance to disconnect, since there’s no television, though there is Wi-Fi if you need it. The house has card games and a record player. Treetop Hideaways also has optional add-ons like massages, laundry services, and alcohol delivery from a local shop.

If you’re not claustrophobic, you definitely should take a trip underground to see Ruby Falls since you’re staying as close as you can get. The underground waterfall was discovered by accident by Leo Lambert in 1928, who named his find in honor of his wife, Ruby. The attraction also has a zip line course.

Above ground, Rock City is another longtime attraction on Lookout Mountain, open since 1932. It started as a private garden that took on a German fairytale theme. Today, it still has a nostalgic appeal, with rock formations and handmade dioramas of Mother Goose’s Village.

The Incline Railway is another can’t-miss nearby attraction, a funicular that travels at a steep incline up the mountain. The car has plenty of windows for taking in the view as you ride. You can take the railway one-way and hike back down, or take a round-trip journey.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Dogwood is the ADA-accessible cabin, the closest to the parking lot, with paved access and a ramp that leads to the front door. The main bed is on the primary level, but there’s a (not accessible) lofted space with another twin-size bed, queen-size couch bed, and writing desk. The bathroom is accessible, but there are no grab bars so a bath and shower chair may be needed. There’s also a handicap parking spot in the lot.

The cabins come stocked with refillable toiletries instead of single-use products, plus reusable cups and a Brita pitcher you can refill. The repurposing of items, like quilts for curtains and old barn doors, is another sustainability effort.

Location

Treetop Hideaways at Ruby Falls are located on Lookout Mountain, offering views of the Tennessee River and the Cumberland Plateau. It straddles the Tennessee and Georgia state lines. While Ruby Falls is a short drive from downtown Chattanooga, you may find it helpful to have a car, even if you arrive by plane. Rideshare services like Uber are available, but you might need to walk down to the main entrance to pick one up.