Entire home

Star-Gazer LOTR Treehouse. Mordor corner.

Photo gallery for Star-Gazer LOTR Treehouse. Mordor corner.

A circular skylight with a view of dense green foliage.
A two-story house with a gabled roof, large windows, and a chimney.
A cozy living room with a wooden floor, a round window, a spiral staircase, and a sofa with a person sitting on it.
A covered outdoor area with a barbecue grill, a metal table, and a chair.
A rustic kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stone backsplash, and a large stove.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Located near a museum, this vacation home accommodates 6 guests with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. Amenities include 1 hot tub, along with games for entertainment. Enjoy outdoor areas like a patio, balcony, and porch. Nearby activities include fishing, birdwatching, and game walks, with attractions such as Goose Lake and Eagle Mountain. This pet-friendly property is family-friendly and adventure-oriented.

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub on site
  • Balcony
  • Internet
  • Onsite parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Upsala, MN
  • Place, Goose Lake
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Big Birch Lake
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Place, Eagle Mountain
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Airport, St. Cloud, MN (STC-St. Cloud Regional)
    ‪57 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1 Loft

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2 Murphy Bed on main floor

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Star-Gazer LOTR Treehouse. Mordor corner.

This treehouse-like structure sits atop a hill in rural Minnesota. It contains 53 windows to bring the outside in: stained glass, leaded glass, and skylights. The floor is comprised of wood rounds and the grout is scattered with colored mica. A spiral staircase leads to a loft. On the main floor is a full kitchen, a gathering space, a gas fireplace, and a queen Murphy bed. A dumbwaiter brings guests luggage up to the top. A secret garden lies below: an enclosed space, it holds a fire pit and a fountain. Snow shoes and sleds are provided for winter.

Also on the land, visit our Mordor corner, featuring the great eye of Sauron, fun signs and warnings, and a surprise when you open the Mor Door.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
If supervised.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
No more than two: dogs or cats.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Outside only.
Must sign waiver to use hot tub.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 1497984vb
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Burtrum

Located in Burtrum, this holiday home is in a rural area. Eagle Mountain and Albany Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Mississippi River and Ritter Wildlife Management Area. Hemker Park & Zoo and Pine Grove Zoo are also worth visiting. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking nearby.
View more Holiday homes in BurtrumOpens in a new window
Map
Upsala, MN

What's nearby

  • Goose Lake - 13 min drive - 14.3 km
  • Big Birch Lake - 16 min drive - 18.6 km
  • Eagle Mountain - 17 min drive - 13.9 km
  • Hemker Park & Zoo - 19 min drive - 26.0 km
  • Little Birch Lake - 20 min drive - 24.0 km

Getting around

  • St. Cloud, MN (STC-St. Cloud Regional) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Nana’s Kitchen - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Shady’s Golden Eagle - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Elmdale Liquor - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪shipwreck - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Bull Frogs - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Star-Gazer LOTR Treehouse. Mordor corner. pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at Star-Gazer LOTR Treehouse. Mordor corner.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Star-Gazer LOTR Treehouse. Mordor corner.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Star-Gazer LOTR Treehouse. Mordor corner.?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Star-Gazer LOTR Treehouse. Mordor corner. located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 12 miles (20 km) of Eagle Mountain, Goose Lake and Big Birch Lake. St Rosa Park and Swan River are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 34 out of 39 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 39 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 39 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 39 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 39 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic and adorable. So cute with little touches inspired by LOTR. The weather was too hot to enjoy the mordor corner, hot tub, or sauna but we'll absolutely be back in the cooler months.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was very communicative and helpful! Everything that was needed was communicated or in their welcome binder! Stargazer was clean and ready to go when we arrived. It was definitely a fun and unique stay! I wouldnt hesitate to book again.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Restful Retreat

We loved our quiet weekend here! I hope we’ll be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Highly recommend staying here for anyone who wants a special/magical getaway. My husband and I absolutely loved it here. It was so magical and you could see all the work and love put into it. The hosts were truly great. Bonus...there is tons to do in the area!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and pleasant

The Stargazer was cozy, simple, and quiet. Our family enjoyed our stay and would come back again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unique and fun experience!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Treehouse respite

We had a very relaxing and fun time staying in a real treehouse. The chickens and fresh eggs were also outstanding
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet

A perfect, relaxing weekend.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

August

Fantastic place. I’ll be back again!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Get away

We had a nice time at this unique property. There were so many artistic touches that we noticed something new constantly. Would recommend for anyone who wants a nice quiet get away.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quick Getaway

We were intrigued with the history of the property. It was intriguing and quaint property. Kids enjoyed the wide range of board games and the mini zip line. Would love to go back in the fall when the leaves change colors.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Getaway

From the time we booked our stay to leaving the property, we had an excellent experience. Jill and Joan welcomed us with personalized greetings and made sure we had everything we needed. They responded promptly when we had questions and made sure we knew they were available. The history of this place is incredible and we will forever hold the memory of fhe weekend we spent. Thank you so much Jill and Joan!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I liked the lord of the rings theme and the extra amenities like the zipline and hot tub. I loved the welcome sign in scrabble and the eggs and bread gifts. Cute touch. We had alot of trouble getting stove to work and knobs kept falling off so that part was frustrating to try and figure out. The ziplining was fun but a little dangerous. My kids almost hit end of platform. Maybe a longer platform would fix this. Overall it was decent even though it was a little overpriced in my opinion. But i liked that it was themed and close to home.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great charm. Bad beds.

There is an endless number of things that are amazing about this property but unfortunately we were unable to stay both nights due to how poor the beds were in our location. It was beautiful, it was romantic, and there were a lot of things about that place that made us want to go back but unless the beds are upgraded we will not be able to return. We had a very difficult time sleeping and the amount of back pain that we experienced throughout the night only grew worse and by the next morning we could barely move. I'm really hoping that the owners take this opportunity to invest in better mattresses so that one day we can come back again.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Inaccurate Description

There truly are so many things to like about this property. It is very unique and unlike any place I have ever stayed; however, we were disappointed in the overall experience with the space being so small. The website states there are two bedrooms with 2 full beds and a twin hideabed/loveseat. The whole space is open so not much sleeping privacy. There were 2 full beds and then a reclining sofa and not much space to move with 3 adults and a dog. The grounds were beautiful and we enjoyed sitting on the large deck, though it is very close to the highway so there was a lot of traffic noise. While this is a cozy stay for 1 or 2 people, more than that is cramped and uncomfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend getaway for the family

My partner and I brought our 5 & 10 year old girls to the tree house cabin for a weekend getaway from the twin cities area. We loved how close the area is to the cities, making it an easy drive with kids after the school and work day. But what made the place amazing was how magical it was, and all the extra touches that didn’t get described in the listing. There were so many fun little places to explore on the property and in the cabin that we were delighted the entire time. I think my only disappointment was that it was incredibly cold out with a lot of snow on the ground and the hot tub is adjacent to the owner’s home which is a good distance from the cabin. Because of this, we decided to forgo the hot tub since it would mean trekking back to the cabin across a large field of snow while wet(and with young kids). Perhaps next time we will come without the little ones. On a positive note, we hadn’t realized our cabin came with a sauna under it! I could go into a lot of detail about all of the fun ways in which the owners made our stay warm and welcoming and perfect but I think it would be much better to just insist you try it for yourself, you will not be disappointed. We can’t wait to come again and bring friends along.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Location, with great hosts!
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical

My boys and I stayed here for thanksgiving and had a relaxing, magical weekend exploring the treehouse, greeting the chickens and relaxing in the hot tub. The hosts had special touches that made this getaway memorable and fun.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent and unique place to stay.

We loved the experience, it was a nice relaxing night a place to clear my head. Wish we stayed longer.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful peaceful refuge

The treehouse was absolutely enchanting. Attention to detail is amazing. Jill and Joan are super sweet and accommodating. We had a wonderful time.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing Getaway

We would recommend this stay for anyone looking for a magical place to relax and recharge.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bliss

This was the perfect place to relax and unwind - it could not have been more magical or relaxing.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quick Weekend Away

This place is truly a gem. We really enjoyed the treehouse and fully took advantage of the sauna! The dogs loved the ability to look out the lower placed windows! You won’t regret staying here!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical getaway

This is a wonderful place to get away and recharge. The space is decorated with unexpected and creative touches that make it feel truly unique. Jill & Joan are thoughtful hosts who go above & beyond to make everyone feel welcome and cared for.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stargazer Review

We had wonderfully superb visit to the Stargazer Treehouse! We stayed abnormally long (1week) but it accommodated us perfectly for a family of 4 with two dogs. We were able to create a perfect full Thanksgiving meal and enjoyed the time together! The property was fantastic and we enjoyed sauna, hot tub and zip line. We highly recommend and WILL be back!!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021

About the host

Hosted by John Strack

Host profile image
I grew up in Kansas City, KS, raised my children in Kansas and moved here in 2002 while obtaining my PhD in English. I teach at St. Cloud State and Joan works for the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls and gives music lessons. We love our home and land, especially the peace that seems to emanate from it--so many of our guests comment on that as well.

Why they chose this property

I always loved the idea of a treehouse, although Stargazer is not technically that type of structure. We finished building it in Summer 2018.

What makes this property unique

Its 53 windows really bring in the morning and afternoon sun, and it's distance from street lights make it an exceptional place to view the heavens, either inside or from Stargazer's high deck.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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