Short troll to Lakes- Nature Inspired Serene Cabin- with canoe
_____________________________________________________________________________ Palisade Tree House is a new custom-built log cabin that nests 3 blocks(5 mins walks) from Serene Lake. The cabin has an open floor plan with many unique handcrafted details that echo Asian philosophy and sensibilities. The use of local resources and green building techniques are evident throughout the 2200 square-foot living space. The cabin’s main floor has a large open 2-story-high living room, dining room, and kitchen area , as well a guest bedroom and guest bathroom. The spacious master bedroom, also on this floor, features a master bathroom with walk-in shower and soaking tub/Jacuzzi, along with a private deck. The upper level has two bedrooms, a sunny bathroom with walk-in shower, and an open loft (favorite hangout for kids) which looks over the main floor. All together, the cabin has 4 queen beds and 2 twin beds. Beds for 8-10 Serene Lakes is a hidden gem just a few minutes from many amenities. In the winter, there are 5 ski resorts nearby (Royal Gorge’s extensive, well-groomed cross-country ski trails are in walking distance and Soda Springs, ( 4.7 miles or 10 mins drive)Sugar Bowl, Donner Ski Ranch, and Boreal are just minutes away). You can also snowshoe, sled, or snow tube right in the area. There is an empty lot next to us and a closed street . a favorite place for the kids to play and tried out our different collection of sleds and snow toys.
In the summer and fall, Serene offers many family activities such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, or just taking a dip in the lake. We have a four-person canoe parked at the beach. There are many nearby bike and wilderness trails that lead to beautiful, pristine areas. Most nights you can gaze at the Milky Way right from the front deck. No smoking. No pets. No wild parties. Palisade Tree House is a great place for family and friends to gather for outdoor adventures or to just kick back and relax. Something for everybody!
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
About the neighborhood
Soda Springs
Located in Serene Lakes, a neighborhood in Soda Springs, this cabin is in a rural area and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Donner Lake and Donner Memorial State Park, while Emigrant Trail Museum and Old Truckee Jail Museum are cultural highlights. KidZone Museum and Olympic Museum are also worth visiting. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, or check out other outdoor activities such as sledding and snowmobiling.
Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
Soda Springs - 3 min drive - 2.5 km
beach near Serene Lakes - 3 min drive - 1.5 km
Boreal Mountain Resort - 10 min drive - 10.3 km
Palisades Tahoe - 45 min drive - 50.8 km
Getting around
Truckee Station - 22 min drive
Truckee, CA (TKF-Truckee Tahoe) - 27 min drive
Restaurants
Upper Deck Bar (at Boreal) - 8 min drive
For Real Dough - 8 min drive
Village Espresso - 12 min drive
The Pub At Donner Lake - 14 min drive
Belt Room Bar - 12 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Short troll to Lakes- Nature Inspired Serene Cabin- with canoe pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Short troll to Lakes- Nature Inspired Serene Cabin- with canoe?
As of May 9, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Short troll to Lakes- Nature Inspired Serene Cabin- with canoe on Aug 29, 2026 start from $412, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Short troll to Lakes- Nature Inspired Serene Cabin- with canoe?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Short troll to Lakes- Nature Inspired Serene Cabin- with canoe?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Short troll to Lakes- Nature Inspired Serene Cabin- with canoe located?
Located on a lake, this Serene Lakes cabin offers ski-in/ski-out access within 1 mi (2 km) of Tahoe National Forest, Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort, and Soda Springs. Sugar Bowl Resort and Crow's Nest Ski Lift are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
The cabin was large and well-located. We appreciated the great kitchen supplies, large dining table and patio. A few minor downsides were that the floors were not very clean and the sheets were not on the beds. Overall a comfortable stay.
Wonderful house with well-stocked kitchen. Close to lake. Everything works well, and seeing the trees all around is wonderful. The BBQ and deck get the afternoon sun and perfect for outdoor drinks and meals.
Our family of nine had a wonderful time at the cabin. The location was a short drive to the lake. The cabin was accommodating for kids and adults alike. The kitchen had all the essentials and the sleeping quarters were spacious. We took advantage of the canoe on a daily basis. Instructions were clearly defined and easy to follow. Three bathrooms were a wonderful plus. The owner was prompt to respond by text and email. We all had a great adventure in a wonderful setting.
Toni W.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified
4/10 Poor
Jennifer B.
Oct 27, 2018
Would have been perfect if it was clean
Tom's home provided plenty of space for our family of 5 and it is a newly-built and nature-inspired cabin. We enjoyed the location near the lake and use of the canoe. Before check-in, Tom was responsive and helpful.
However, the cabin was not sufficiently cleaned prior to our arrival. We arrived to find a thick layer of dust coating most surfaces (including the leather couch), toilets with scum on the seats/backs, showers and sinks with hair stuck to them, spills in the fridge, and an open rusty safety pin on the floor of the room my toddler was sleeping in. We cleaned the home ourselves and Tom eventually agreed to refund the cleaning fee, but it really put a damper on what should have been a relaxing family weekend.
Jennifer B.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 27, 2023
I am sorry you did not have a positive experience at our cabin.
However, we have been renting our cabin for over 5 years and have hosted many guests. Many have given positive reviews.
We always clean our cabin thoroughly between guests. This is a family cabin, and not some sterile corporate hotel.
This description of our cabin is absolutely not true. It does not align with our standards.
100% of the cleaning fee was refunded. We also waived the linen fee. We only did this because we believe our guests should be satisfied.
Central location for my sons wedding. Great hikes right out the front door. The property was alpine perfect!
Owners were flexible as we had to add a night due to hurricane Ian. Would stay again
Our stay happen to overlap with wildfires so it was a very hectic stay for us. The air was terrible and we weren't able to take advantage of the beautiful location and lake. We drove to Sacramento each day to get air relief and bought a few air purifiers to bring back to the house.
The house needs a good cleaning but the kitchen is fully stocked and the location is great.
The host was very communicative and responsive.
Our family enjoyed every minute of our stay at Tom's lovely Serene Lakes home. The spacious home is nicely appointed and well-maintained, and the kitchen was equipped with everything we needed during our stay. Also, the home is perfectly situated near the lake, where our family had a lovely time canoeing and swimming at the homeowner's beach. Most of all, though, Tom is an incredible host and his communication was kind and responsive throughout our visit. Many thanks for your warm hospitality; we can't wait to make a return visit in the near future!
We were looking for a quiet escape close to Lake Tahoe, but far away from the crowds. This fit the bill. The space was large, clean, and had everything we needed. The owner was extremely responsive, helpful, and accommodating. We ended up having a wonderful weekend.
We had so much fun staying at Tom’s cabin for Labor Day weekend! The cabin was clean, and very well equipped. We are cooks and we were pleasantly surprised at how great the kitchen was supplied. We enjoyed how it felt like a home rather then a rental. We spent the most of our time at the lake. We loved bing able to ride our bikes to the lake! We also enjoyed the canoe that comes with the house and is kept at the beach resort area. The cabin has wonderful architectural detail. My husband even made a game for the kids to see if they could find all of the Tibetan symbols carved into the the logs. It was just a perfect weekend for our family and friends!
I did read some of the more negative reviews and found them to be far fetched. Some people would do better buying their own cabin or staying at the Four Seasons for that extra pampering you cant get elsewhere.
We enjoyed our long weekend at your home. The details of this property were accurate and there was more to do than we planned on. We spent Saturday at the lake and made several laps around it in the canoe. Thanks again!
House itself was perfect. Fit us all easily. Take your own towels, towels that were available were very old and felt like sand paper, stained and not near enough for the 8 of us there. Kitchen had some items but missing a blender and other things we needed so if there’s something you must have ask if it’s there if take it. No beach towels, bathroom supplies like soap, shampoo/conditioner (have always been available at our other rentals same as towels) we would stay again but now know we need to take EVERYTHING we need.
Diane T.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 27, 2023
I am sorry to hear that your Palisade Tree house experience is not perfect.
We put out 8 towels for a rental of 5 adults / 3 nights. Upon arrived guest ask for more towels/within the hour I have my neighbor drop 6 more towels.
When we did the turn over.. I learned that 6 towels was never use!
Our towels are not old nor felt like sandpaper.. They are 100 cotton, machine wash and hand dry . We dont use ozone depleted chemical for scents softener.
We have rented over 200 reservations and no one ever complain about towels or kitchen supply.
We went way out of our way to accommodate this rental.
We allow 3 hours early check in at no charge.
We bought over extra towels at a very short notice .. only to have guest dont use it and they careless broke the glass coffee carafe by putting it in the dishwasher . ( 25 years old guest ?)
This is a mountain cabin vacation home not a chain hotel.. we do not provide personal daily soap or shampoo..Go to motel 8 if you want that experience.
Very disappoint when guest choose to focus on little things like towels ...when they are on a beautiful majestic setting summer vacation with friend and family .
This place worked out well for us! A short easy drive to the swim beach which we went to every day! Kids loved the loft and the kitchen has everything you could need! Great communication from the owner and super clear instructions about check in and check out!!
Our family stayed at Tom’s Palisade Tree House July 19-22. Would highly recommend it to anyone with a large group. What a wonderful place to spend with loved ones surrounded by incredible beauty! Very quiet area, close but away from the bustle of Tahoe. Serene Lake is just a walk or short drive to a family friendly beach and boat dock. There are many hiking trails around. Our son ran along the mountains surrounding the lakes each morning. Lots of things to do.
The house is perfect for family. Four bedrooms each with a queen and nearby bathroom. Each bathroom is high end and makes you forget you’re in a cabin in the woods! The open living area was large enough for all nine of us. Kitchen is huge and extremely well stocked with cookware, spices, etc. Directions were clear, well organized and the owner is very prompt and great to work with. Everything at this place was more than I expected. It’s even better than the pictures. We didn’t want to leave. Loved our stay there!
This was our first stay and the cabin we chose worked out for our family of 12. The two smaller children slept on cots in the large den which they enjoyed. The lake is very relaxing place which is what we were looking for. We’ll be back
Christian L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Donald A.
Aug 30, 2018
Beautiful, fully equipped cabin.
Great Serene Lakes location. Cabin had everything we could possibly need for a multi-family group. We loved the decor, and appreciated the canoe and huge grill, both of which got a lot of use. While we stayed in August, would be great for winter as well. Owner Tom was communicative and responded to emails promptly. Although not a problem for us, only potential issue is that the cabin is advertised as “sleeps 10-12” which is a bit of a stretch without the caveat that such a group would need to include several kids happy to sleep on the floor in sleeping bags.
Donald A.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kathy S.
Aug 21, 2018
Love this house and Serene Lakes
Serene Lakes is an ideal family vacation spot, with the beach and lakes and proximity to hikes, Sugar Bowl, Donner, etc. This house was perfect for our family of 5. Love the big kitchen and deck!!!
Kathy S.
Stayed 23 nights in Jul 2018
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Esther K.
Aug 3, 2017
Beautiful Home
The house really beautiful and the location was perfect for our event at Royal Gorge ski area. Had a great time. Thanks!
Esther K.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Ana H.
Jul 25, 2017
Summer time retreat!
It was great. Perfect size for a large group! We will definitely be coming back again!
Ana H.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
vacationer s.
Jul 8, 2016
Relaxing weekend getaway at the Palisade Tree House
Our family of 6 adults – grandmother, parents and 3 young adult children had a wonderful stay at the beautifully appointed Palisade Tree House. The house was very clean, spacious, comfortable, fully equipped and generously stocked. We were happy to find the description and pictures provided on the site to be very accurate. Tom Vu, the owner, is extremely responsive and was able to arrange our weekend vacation on a very short notice (less than 24 hrs!). We easily communicated with Tom via email, text and over the phone. We drove up on Friday and had a nice late afternoon walk around the neighborhood. On Saturday we hiked to Summit lake on the north side of the highway, and relaxed in the comfy living room both evenings. We plan to come back and hike to long lake recommended by Tom . Thank you for sharing your house with our family!
vacationer s.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2016
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Madeleine C.
Jan 29, 2015
Exceeded Expectations!
This is a really lovely, comfortable cabin! It stayed warm and cozy for such a spacious place, beds were comfy and the kitchen was very well equipped. Communication with the owner was seamless. We came for the cross country skiing which normally is fabulous in this area but because of the poor snow conditions we walked and went snow shoeing instead. I look forward to trying again next year and this cabin would be our first choice place to stay- it was one of the nicest vacation rentals we've stayed in!