It started as a backyard treehouse for kids. But then Ricardo Bottome realized he could turn his idea for a playhouse product into a camping phenomenon—a treehouse tent that gets campers off the ground, away from rocks, bugs, water, and uneven dirt.

In this story, which was published on REI's Co-Op Journal, I explore the growing trend of suspension tents—hammocks, rooftop tents, and yes, treehouses—and why they're more practical than you think.

And my daughter, Nora, makes a grand appearance in her new favorite backyard play structure.