Ladonia Air Castle

You’ve probably seen treehouses. But have you seen a treehouse built out of shipping containers? How about shipping containers that have been flipped vertical? That’s what you’ll see at the Ladonia Air Castle. Built by Highpoint Treehouses in in Ladonia, Texas, it’s one of the most unique treehouse builds we’ve ever seen. Keep reading to see the inside!

Where is this?

The Ladonia Air Castle is in Ladonia , Texas. It’s a small town in East Texas , close to the North Sulphur River and a short hour and a half drive from Dallas. From Texarkana it is a two hour drive. It may be a small town but it’s big on charm. Ladonia offers peace and quiet and a nice escape from the hustle of everyday life. Currently, Lake Ralph Hall is under construction as a new water reservoir and recreation area. Highpoint Treehouses’ has property bordering what will be the new lake shore.

Ladonia Air Castle: History.

Steve and Nancy are based in Ladonia, Texas. They built their own two story, 1400 square foot treehouse and decided they wanted to share the experience with others. Highpoint Treehouses began and the Ladonia Air Castle is the first one done. The name came from family story passed down, a conversation between a grandfather and son on their farm. The Grandpa asked the boy if he was daydreaming and building “air castles” while daydreaming about his future in engineering.

A five story treehouse.

The treehouse has more than meets the eye and it’s actually hiding five stories! Two of the three shipping containers are flipped vertically, which created more height to build into. Three levels are inside and two more are towards the top of the treehouse on the outside. The highest level provides some of the best views in east Texas! A word of caution: the top two levels are connected with spiral stairs and they might be tough if you’re scared of heights. It’s worth the climb though to enjoy an unobstructed sunset view from the very top.

Enter on the second floor.

The property around the Ladonia Air Castle is gated and you’ll feel miles away from anywhere. It’s very private and peaceful. To enter the treehouse after you park, walk up the ramp and the external stairs. You’ll actually enter the Air Castle at the second floor level, into the main living space. Panoramic windows offer a treetop view of birds and other wildlife and there are binoculars and nature guides available. The living room is cozy with an electric fireplace, plenty of seating, books, games and a tv. A favorite feature: the hot tub enclosed in the screen in porch! The hot tub on the second floor feels like you’re sitting right in the treetops. The air castle has one large bathroom on this floor as well.

A full kitchen.

The Ladonia Air Castle has a charming kitchen. It has every amenity you could need to to cook meals during your luxurious getaway. For coffee, there are three options: a French press, a drip coffee maker, and a Keurig coffee pot. Coffee is provided but if you have a brand you love, be sure to bring some with you. If you’re planning on bringing all of your food, conveniently there is a full sized refrigerator along with an oven, stove, and microwave. There is a really cute floating shelf with hooks for all of the coffee mugs. As a thank you, the owners leave wrapped, fresh baked cookies from the nearby Pig and Whistle cafe for their guests!

The living room.

Also located the second, or main, floor, the living room is comfortable and inviting. There is an electric fireplace for ambiance and for additional heat. Our favorite feature was the view out the windows to the tree branches outside and the deer feeder below. Ladonia Air Castle has some feathered and furry friends that frequent the windows. Cardinals, squirrels, and others scamper around the trees and sometimes tap against the window. There are board games to enjoy as well as movies stored on the DVR.

The first floor.

This unique treehouse in Ladonia, Texas boasts two comfortable bedrooms. Each bed sits beneath a clear window, allowing guests to view the night sky right from their bed. On the night we visited there was a partial lunar eclipse that I could witness from the cozy queen sized bed. on the first floor. Another great amenity is the laundry in the first floor landing space outside the bedroom. To access the first floor, take the stairs to the right of the living room and head down. A super fun feature is the exterior ladder from the bottom bedroom to the top. A word of caution: its not suitable for young children.

Ladonia Air Castle: third floor.

Head up the stairs once more, past the second level, to get to the third floor bedroom. As a fun detail, the bedrooms are named after the resident animals that hang around the tree. This bedroom also has a very comfortable queen sized bed, along with a window panel above the bed to see the night sky. Each bedroom has bedside lighting, overhead lighting with a ceiling fan, extra storage space and outlets. It’s so peaceful, relaxing, and blissfully quiet at this property!

Top two floors.

From the third floor bedroom, you can access the walkway and stairs leading up to the fourth and fifth floors. These top two floors are exterior porches that provide panoramic views of the woods surrounding the treehouse. On the fourth floor there is a dining table to enjoy a meal outdoors and string lights to set the ambiance. Head up the spiral stairs to get to the upper “crow’s nest” which is 50 feet off of the ground. It might be a little nerve wracking on a windy day but these viewing platforms are ideal for enjoying a sunset or sunrise.

Other outdoor features.

Highpoint Treehouses though of everything when it comes to the Ladonia Air Castle. Next to the walkway there is a large outdoor entertaining space, with a large firepit, grill, and waterfall feature. Feeder areas attract wildlife and there are game cameras on motion sensors. They alert in the treehouse so you can watch animals like wild pigs that come through at night. Trails wind throughout the property so you can enjoy the peace and quiet on a private slice of natural paradise. Additionally, there is a really cozy deck with seating for two just outside of kitchen.

Future plans.

There are big changes coming to Ladonia with the completion of Lake Ralph Hall. It will be a boost for outdoor recreation and water based recreation, and perhaps increase tourism in the area. The project is currently in progress and the effects of it won’t be seen for a few years. Highpoint Treehouses is thinking ahead, however, and they plan to add even more treehouses and an event space. The idea being to be a destination for retreats, reunions, weddings, and more. It’s a beautiful property that will be even more valuable as the city continues to grow. It will remain a peaceful retreat from daily life, that many are sure to enjoy for years to come.

Things to do near Ladonia.

While Ladonia is a small town and Highpoint Treehouses will have you wanting to stay and soak it all in, there are some unique things to do near Ladonia, Texas. Nearby, the North Sulphur River is a known hot spot for paleontology. You can go digging for fossils and keep what you find! For dining, you must visit the Pig and Whistle cafe for breakfast, their kids pig pancakes are legendary!

Things to do in Commerce, Texas.

Commerce, Texas is a quick fifteen minute drive from Ladonia and has fun things to do. The North East Texas Children’s Museum has a display that’s all about the history of the fossils in the Sulphur River. Mugs on the Square is a charming coffee shop with lots of card and board games to play. Texas A&M has a branch in Commerce and they have a wonderful theater department. The main street in historic downtown Commerce has cute gift shops and antique stores as well.

Our review of Ladonia Air Castle.

Five stars all around from us! A note, however, this rental is not meant for small children and in fact children are not allowed. I was able to secure special permission for my kids to come since they are not little, please email or call Steve ahead of time to discuss bringing older children. Pets are strictly not allowed, for their safety. The Ladonia Air Castle is the perfect retreat and a haven of peace and luxury in East Texas. It’s the perfect retreat for a romantic getaway, or a secluded personal retreat and reset. Ps – while you’re enjoying the hot tub, see if you can spot the yellow bicycle. Visit the Highpoint Treehouses website for more information and book your stay on AirBnb.