9 Supercool Tree Houses, Forts and Lookouts Around Seattle to Explore With Kids

Wander a trail through the Guillemot Cove Nature Reserve, on the Kitsap Peninsula near Seabeck, and you’ll be rewarded with the sight of an awesome stump house. The house was created from an old western cedar tree stump after it was logged. Follow the Stump House Trail to reach it.

“The two notches in the front of the tree [that look like eyes] are old spring board cuts. The cuts were made by loggers. They placed boards that they stood on while operating their cross cut saws into these cuts,” explained Stewardship Coordinator Lori Raymaker.

While no one knows who built the stump house, urban legend suggests an outlaw used the stump as a hideout.

Info: At Guillemot Cove Nature Reserve, park at the Stavis Bay Road parking area. The hike down into the cove is about a mile in length. Know that this can be a steep hike back up for young children. After or during rainy periods, the meadow may be flooded, so pack extra shoes or rain boots. Check the Washington Trails Association website for a description of the trail and the latest trip reports. Note that pets are not allowed. It’s about a two-hour trip from Seattle to reach Seabeck, not including ferry wait time.

Don’t miss: The beach. At low tide, seekers will find oysters, sand dollars and sea stars.

Next stop: Magnuson Children’s Garden

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