This summer, travel’s hottest trend is a throwback: adult summer camps that trade screens for s’mores, schedules for spontaneity, and hustle for play. Across North America, luxury retreats are reimagining camp experiences for grown-ups—combining nostalgia, nature, and upscale comfort in a way that appeals to both memory and mindfulness.
Mountain and forest escapes that feel familiar and fresh
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on British Columbia’s west coast offers seaplane access to a rainforest sanctuary where guests stay in canvas safari tents with heated floors and ocean views. Days brim with kayaking, horseback riding, heli‑hiking, and wildlife spotting, capped by gourmet meals and evening music.
In Montana, The Green O at Paws Up Ranch delivers high-camp energy with a refined edge. Adults sleep elevated in treetop suites and fill the days with cattle drives, rafting, archery, whitewater adventures, and loping evening cocktails around bonfires.
Nostalgic programs meet modern comforts in the Catskills
In New York’s Catskills, Chatwal Lodge blends vintage camp rituals with curated luxury. Guests enjoy archery classes, star-gazing sessions, baking workshops, and movie nights, then retreat to cozy cabins with fireplaces. It feels like summer camp designed for adults who can appreciate both wilderness and wine pairings.
At Southall Farm & Inn in Maryland, evenings at Dottie’s Speakeasy serve up craft cocktails, local music, and relaxed communal meals—paired with daytime hiking, sun-dappled swimming holes, and nostalgic touches like blanket forts and lawn games.
Coastal hideaways and desert sanctuaries that spark play
Costa Palmas in Baja California Sur offers sun-soaked camp vibes by the sea—guests can deep‑sea fish, dive in marine reserves, hike to waterfalls, or enjoy alfresco sunsets. The all-inclusive setup fosters easygoing exploration and nightly bonfires under stars.
Other Baja and desert lodges bring salsa dancing nights, wellness rituals like cold plunges and yoga, local chef-led cooking classes, and immersive cultural programs that feel camp-like in freedom—minus the rough edges.
Why grown-ups are swapping luxury resorts for campfire nights
These adult‑camp resorts answer a deeper need: the desire to unplug and reconnect—with others, with nature, and with self. Instead of high‑rise amenities and pressure to perform, they offer intentional play, analog joy, and emotional recharge.
A growing number of guests say these breaks help them feel younger at heart, rediscover simplicity, and shed layers of routine stress—often within just a few days. Guided camp skills like archery or baking become rituals of renewal, not competition.
Camp for adults is the new luxury retreat
In a world awash in digital demands, these resorts remind older travelers that play isn’t childish—it’s restorative. Whether under cedar canopies, desert skies, or beside campfire embers, adults can find wonder again. Summer camps for grown‑ups are quietly redefining what real luxury means: connection, creativity, and the freedom to play.
