High-angle view of a luxury poolside pavilion and pergola with a valley view

Showy Steep Sloped Backyard: Pool House, Pavilion & Pergolas

This steep, terraced Utah County backyard turns every level into living space: an oversize timber pavilion covers the pool house, two oversize pergolas with radius roofs flank it, and a smaller pergola sits on an upper terrace overlooking Utah Lake. All of it is Douglas Fir in Early American stain, with Roosevelt Step beam ends, Classic knee braces, and arched beams with keystones.

Timber pavilion over a pool house with pergolas on both sides, set on a terraced lot above a pool and the Utah valley — The pool house pavilion and pergolas from above.

Key Takeaways

Pool house pavilion: 24′ × 22′ roof on a 22′ × 20′ footprint
Two side pergolas: 13′ 8″ × 24′ roofs with radius rooflines
Upper terrace pergola: 15′ 4″ × 8′ 10″, overlooking Utah Lake
Finish: Douglas Fir, Early American stain, arched beams with keystones

How Do You Design Shade for a Steep Backyard?

A steep slope is a challenge, but terracing turns it into a series of usable spaces. The family wanted a pool house and a year-round outdoor entertainment area, so the pool house sits under a protective oversize timber pavilion, with a freestanding pergola on each side for shaded lounging.

Gabled timber pavilion over a pool house with pergolas on each side, seen across a sparkling pool with a waterslide — Across the pool to the pool house.

Early American timber pavilion with arched braces beside a radius-roof pergola, shading lounge furniture and a fire pit — The pavilion and a side pergola.

What Makes Up the Pool House Pavilion and Pergolas?

The pavilion over the pool house has a 24′ × 22′ roof on a 22′ × 20′ footprint, measured post to post. The two pergolas beside it each have a 13′ 8″ × 24′ roof on an 11′ 8″ × 22′ footprint, with radius roofs that extend the shade. Every structure shares Roosevelt Step beam and rafter ends, Classic knee braces, arched beams with keystones, and Early American stain.

Dark timber pergola with a radius roof and arched beams shading a stamped concrete deck at the edge of a pool — A radius-roof side pergola.

Low evening sun shining through the rafters and arched beams of a timber pergola beside a backyard pool — Evening sun through the rafters.

Looking along the radius roof of a timber pergola beside a shingled pool house, with garden beds on the slope — The side pergola roof.

What Is It Like After Dark?

LED string lights give the pool area a soft glow for family nights and entertaining, and the sunsets from this hillside are spectacular. Two dining tables, lounge seating, and a fire pit give everyone a place to gather.

Timber pool house pavilion and pergolas glowing with string lights at dusk, with lounge chairs beside the pool — Lit up at dusk.

Sun setting behind a timber pool house, framed by the arched beam and string lights of a side pergola — Sunset under the pergola.

What Is on the Upper Terraces?

Above the pool house, a putting green and seating area look out over Utah County. Higher still, a pergola with a 15′ 4″ × 8′ 10″ roof (13′ 4″ × 6′ 10″ footprint) shades the sunny hillside and overlooks Utah Lake.

Putting green and seating area on a terrace above a timber pool house, pergolas, and a pool on a steep lot — A mini golf green above the pool house.

Small timber pergola with a radius roof and arched braces on an upper terrace above a stone wall and shrubs — The upper terrace pergola.

Upper terrace timber pergola glowing with LED string lights at night against a deep blue evening sky — String lights at night.

Arched timber beam of an upper terrace pergola with mountains and the Utah valley in the distance at dusk — The upper pergola above the slope.

Questions About This Hillside Pool House

Can you build a pool house on a steep backyard?

Yes. This yard is terraced down a steep slope, with the pool house pavilion, two pergolas, and an upper terrace pergola each set on its own level.

What sizes are these structures?

The pool house pavilion has a 24′ × 22′ roof on a 22′ × 20′ footprint. The two side pergolas each have a 13′ 8″ × 24′ roof on an 11′ 8″ × 22′ footprint. The upper pergola has a 15′ 4″ × 8′ 10″ roof on a 13′ 4″ × 6′ 10″ footprint.

What is a radius roof?

A radius roof uses rafters cut with a curve, so the roofline arcs at the edges and extends the shade.

What wood and stain are used?

Douglas Fir in Early American stain. Western Timber Frame builds in Douglas Fir, Coast Redwood, Incense Cedar, and Western Red Cedar.

How is the space lit at night?

LED string lights run across the pergolas for a soft glow over the pool and lounge areas.

Western Timber Frame has designed, handcrafted, and delivered more than 7,000 outdoor structures in all 50 states since 2008. See curved and radius roofs and cabana kits, or request a free design consultation and call 877-870-8755.

Western Timber Frame™ — Payson, Utah | Since 2008 | 7,000+ structures in all 50 states
2026 SBA Manufacturing Award | HGTV Design Excellence Award | 28 Best of State Awards

Marilynn Thompson

Content Writer, Architectural Photographer & Outdoor Living Author, Western Timber Frame

Marilynn Thompson is a content writer, architectural photographer, and outdoor living author at Western Timber Frame™, where she specializes in custom timber pergolas, pavilions, gazebos, and heavy timber construction. Since joining the company, she has helped document thousands of custom projects through technical research, homeowner interviews, jobsite photography, and educational articles that explain complex building concepts in clear, practical language.

Her work combines engineering research with real-world project experience, covering topics such as structural design, building permits, installation, timber species, joinery, maintenance, and outdoor living design. She regularly collaborates with Western Timber Frame's designers, engineers, and project specialists to ensure every article reflects current building practices and accurate technical information.

As the company's architectural photographer, Marilynn has photographed custom timber structures across the United States, documenting how they perform in different climates, landscapes, and architectural styles. Her writing is informed not only by research, but by conversations with homeowners and business owners who have lived with these structures for years.

Her goal is simple: to help homeowners understand the decisions behind a custom timber structure so they can build with confidence, not guesswork.