Buckle up, we’re headed to the waterpark capital of the world, Wisconsin Dells, where our crew is in the first phase of one of our biggest builds yet: the Kalahari Adventure Collection at Kalahari Resorts. Over the next two years, we’ll be crafting 28 custom-designed treehouses for this one-of-a-kind experience, with the first 8 lakeside treehouses set to open summer 2026.
This project brings our signature Nelson Treehouse magic to the Midwest in a whole new way. So let’s take a peek Behind the Build of Phase One!
You’ve heard us say it before: every site is different and we’re here to adapt. While our original plan included trees as primary support, local permitting pushed us to pivot. That’s why these treehouses are fully post-supported. But don’t worry, we’ve brought the same expert engineering, creativity, and treehouse spirit to every square inch.
Our tallest treehouse towers 17 feet high, perched above the lakeshore and offering expansive, leafy views. Whether supported by trunks or posts, the feeling of being up in the trees is very real here.
With 28 treehouses to go and just over two years on the clock, phasing is key. Our crew, led by the talented Michael Hegarty, is building treehouses at different stages of completion so we can keep things moving efficiently and safely.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s currently in motion:
Treehouse #4: Walls are up and house wrap is going on
Treehouse #5: Floor joists in, subfloor in progress
Treehouse #6: Prepped and waiting on floor joists
Treehouses #8 & #9: Groundwork underway with subcontractors installing posts and concrete footings
A lot of our work here includes raising prefabricated floor joists with forklifts, wrangling materials into place, and braving the elements while keeping the builds on track.
And yes, Emily helped Michael house wrap Treehouse #4, so it’s officially a team effort.
These builds wouldn’t be possible without our current rockstar crew out on site:
From left to right: JP Peterson, Michael Kowalski, Jason Hunnicutt, Andrew Anderman, Emily Nelson, Michael Hegarty & Christian Houston
They’ll be here through 2027, so to boost morale, our marketing team (shoutout to Emily and Carley) decorated the jobsite to bring a little extra spirit to the workday.
We’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes updates, build progress, and maybe even a few sneak peeks as these eight lakeside treehouses rise from the ground. Follow along with us and the Kalahari Resorts team as we bring this adventure to life!
We can’t wait for you to experience the Kalahari Adventure Collection coming summer 2026!
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