16 Destinations That Will Make You Nostalgic For Summer Camp

Black Mountain, North Carolina

Home to Camp Rockmont for boys and Merri-Mac for girls (among others), this small Blue Ridge Mountain town is just 15 miles east of Asheville. Whether you’re heading to drop kids at camp, looking for a day trip from a surrounding city, or planning a weekend getaway, Black Mountain is sure to bring back childhood memories with its camp-like offerings. From hiking, fishing, and boating to enjoying the arts, live music, restaurants, breweries, and creameries there’s plenty to do. Depending when you plan your visit, you might even catch one of the town’s many festivals too.

High Hampton

For an elevated yet quintessential camp-like experience, High Hampton is a must. The 102-year-old family retreat in Cashiers, North Carolina, beckons with its historic inn and cozy cabins that have maintained much of their original character with updated interior design. There's an array of things for everyone to enjoy and the mountains are a beautiful and cool place to escape the summer heat. You’ll truly feel like you stepped on the set of Dirty Dancing when you walk onto this picturesque property.

Create your own camp schedule with activities including paddling and swimming around the lake, fishing, hiking, croquet, golf, pickleball, tennis, or just lounging at the kid-friendly pool complete with a snack shack. And when you're ready to head indoors, relax with a cup of coffee or cocktail and make a new friend in the living room-style lobby complete with ample board games for all ages.

Barton Springs

Despite the dry heat, Texas is known for many of its swimming holes—some more secret than others. In the heart of Austin, you’ll find the 358-acre Zilker Park which is home to Barton Springs. Fed by cool water from natural underground springs and surrounded by grassy hills for laying out, it’s the place to be on a hot summer day. An afternoon at Barton Springs will feel just like childhood summers spent at the neighborhood pool or camp lake with locals swimming laps, kids cannonballing off the diving board, and lifeguards with their watchful eye.

Fairhope, Alabama

“I might be partial because I grew up visiting family every summer in Fairhope, but there was just something so magical about the place as a kid and I still feel the same way anytime I drive into town now,” says Associate Editor Cameron Beall. Though it might not be the same clear blue waters and white sandy beaches of nearby Florida, time on the Mobile Bay is a quiet and easy way of life that just evokes that camp feel. The murkier water offers its own charm with plenty of activity—fishing, kayaking, boating, tubing, skiing, and more. Book a stay at the waterfront Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa and enjoy the pool and daily afternoon tea time.

The quaint downtown is easily walkable and peppered with shops that have been family run for generations and restaurants loved by all ages. Find the crowd favorite Panini Pete’s in the French Quarter, get a scoop or float from the iconic Mr. Gene’s Beans ice cream parlor, pick up a book and coffee from Page and Palette (a community hub since 1968), and let kids run freely in the oversized playground and park in the heart of town. But the best part of the Eastern Shore is watching the mullet jump and the sun set over the water at the end of each day.

Hendersonville, North Carolina

For over 100 years, Henderson County has been unofficially deemed the “the center of camps in the South” due to the high concentration of them in the area. Iconic establishments like Camp Greystone and Mondamin, alongside 16 others including Falling Creek, Kanuga, Arrowhead, and Wayfarer draw campers from all across the country. If you attended one nearby Hendersonville, it’s likely you made a stop through the quaint mountain town on the way to or from—whether for a night or just a meal. Surrounded by forests there’s plenty of outdoor activities and sightseeing while the charming and walkable Main Street offers plenty of dining and entertainment.

Guadalupe River State Park

“This is THE spot to tube in the summer, and we always did that at camp so it reminds me of it!” says Digital Editor Kaitlyn Yarborough. Guadalupe River State Park entices visitors with its cool waters for tubing, paddling, and swimming and family-friendly campgrounds. Bring your tube and go on your own adventure down the river or rent from establishments nearby like Rockin’ R River Rides for a full excursion. There are also plenty of spots for fishing (the park provides gear if you don’t have your own), trails for hiking and biking, and horseback riding. Plus, it’s only an hour from San Antonio and two from Austin. Whether you head to the state park for a day trip or overnight camp, there’s plenty to explore!

Blackberry Mountain

Choose your own adventure when you stay at Blackberry Mountain. Located on 5,200 acres in Walland, Tennessee, it’s like experiencing your own private national park with breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains and luxurious amenities. Build your own “camp schedule” with endless activities to choose from just like your childhood days.

For the outdoor lovers the resort offers pickleball and tennis, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, the Arbor Adventure (a 26-element ropes course in the trees), fly fishing, horseback riding, boating, skeet shooting, and more! For a slower pace, add in ceramics, art, and cooking classes, relax pool or lakeside, take one of the many wellness or fitness classes, or try paddle board yoga. And no matter your age, you can’t skip out on going down one of the Valley Pond’s two waterslides and playing jumbo chess. On top of the plethora of adventures to be had on the mountain, you can fulfill your dreams of sleeping in a treehouse. There’s no shortage of things to do whether you prefer relaxation or exploring the property—it’s truly like camp for adults and families!

Roanoke, Virginia

"For mountain lovers based in the South, I can't imagine a better home base than Roanoke, Virginia,” says Virginia native and Associate Social Media Director Brennan Long. “Head for an out-and-back hike to McAffee's Knob, the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail, or tackle Tinker Cliffs and Dragon's Tooth to complete Virginia's Triple Crown over the course of a multi-day visit. I might be biased, but there's no view that lowers my blood pressure quite like looking down into the Roanoke Valley with its Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop." To add onto your adventures, visit Smith Mountain Lake which is under an hour away or plan a visit to Go Fest in the fall to really capture the region’s outdoor spirit.

Mentone, Alabama

While North Carolina might have more, this Alabama town is also home to many beloved summer camps Southerners attended growing up including DeSoto, Alpine, and Skyline. But even if you spend a summer at one of the nine camps in the area, the town atop Lookout Mountain is brimming with nostalgic adventures and lodgings. Named one of the most charming small towns in Alabama and under-the-radar mountain destinations, Mentone offers not only gorgeous views, but plenty of worthy accommodations from golf and ski resorts to dude ranches. For a true adult-style camp experience, book a stay at Andiamo Lodge.

Rapids Water Park

There’s nothing like a waterpark to bring out your inner child. “Growing up in South Florida, summers were for swimming—at neighborhood and community pools, in the ocean, and if we were really lucky, at the Rapids Water Park,” says Deputy Editor Lisa Cericola of the West Palm Beach, Florida, destination. “This place has changed a lot since I was a kid—a few tame slides and a lazy river have been replaced with thrill rides that have twisting, turning tubes and giant funnels high above. Now, I go there every summer with my son, who is way more fearless than me!”

Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Situated between busier coastal destinations this idyllic town and its marshes will immediately transport you back to your early carefree days playing in creeks, digging in pluff mud, catching crawfish, and tossing cast nets. The laid-back feel of Pawleys Island is one that invites everyone to stay outside from sunrise to sunset and go barefoot just as you did as a summer camp kid. With equally captivating beachfront and intercostal waters, there’s plenty to keep you interested for an extended weekend or week-long vacation. Stay in old-school oceanfront accommodations at the Sea View Inn (established in 1937), try your hand at surfboarding, relax all afternoon in a hammock, take a long walk on the beach, and of course enjoy great seafood.

RT Lodge

RT Lodge is situated just inside the Maryville College Woods in the center of town, just 25 minutes from downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Originally built in 1932 as a private residence, the main lodge still functions as the hub of the property with a casual bar, excellent restaurant, living rooms to gather, and plenty of porch space. The guest rooms are equally charming and furnished with cabin-style handcrafted furniture and cozy plaids. You’ll feel just like you’re at camp exploring the woods, relaxing in a rocking chair next to the central koi pond, trying your hand at fly fishing or disc golf, biking into town, enjoying a s’more, or getting in on the fun of lawn and board games.

Lake Toxaway

Nestled in the hills of Western North Carolina, just a short drive from Brevard and Cashiers, Lake Toxaway is the perfect tranquil getaway. Thanks to streams flowing from the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, the water stays nice and cool to help beat the summer heat. Along the 14 miles of shoreline, The Greystone Inn is a great home base to explore the region from. After long days on the water swimming, sailing, boating, or canoeing, hiking to waterfalls, or visiting nearby towns you can come back to relax in the inn’s spa and enjoy a meal at the lakefront restaurant.

Bath County, Virginia

For the adventure seekers and those who appreciate a comfortable place to sleep, this area has it all. “Visit Bath County, Virginia to recreate the magic of an activity-filled camp day, paired with comfortable accommodations at The Omni Homestead Resort,” suggests Long. “Take in the beauty of the Allegheny Mountains through fly fishing, equestrian trail rides, zip lining or a hike to the Cascades Gorge. Return to the resort in time for lawn games, afternoon tea, and evening s'mores. A trip to the area isn't complete without a dip in the famed Warm Springs Pool, the mineral-rich waters that consistently stay around 98 degrees year round.”

Big Bend Ranch State Park

For the explorers, this West Texas spot near the Mexico border is the Lone Star’s biggest state park with over 300,000 acres to access via hiking trails, mountain biking, paddling down the Rio Grande, off-roading, on horseback, or whitewater rafting. Though its more developed neighbor to the east, Big Bend National Park, might attract more tourists, the state park is well worth a visit. “It’ll be hot, but it’s an international dark sky zone which makes for epic camping and stargazing!” says Texas-resident Kaitlyn Yarborough. The rugged landscape showcases historical ruins, Native rock art, unique rock formations including the signature El Solitario, a collapsed volcano 10-miles-wide; plus rivers and natural springs.

Lake Burton

There’s something about the slowness of lake life and the water activities that accompany Lake Burton that will instantly make you reminiscent of childhood camp days. Tucked in the mountains of North Georgia this pristine Rabun County lake, only two hours from Atlanta, is a favorite in the region. And just a short drive from the waterfront, you’ll find historic downtown Clayton with dining and shopping options.