5 Gay Campgrounds in the U.S. for Summer Fun
It’s almost summertime! Time to make plans, but if you don’t have the budget for that summer share, consider camping. Make a reservation or look into membership at several gay campgrounds located across the U.S.
From clothing-optional to female-friendly, we pulled together a short list of gay campgrounds you may want to consider visiting. Yes, we know there are probably several more queer-welcoming campgrounds, but these are just a few thought-starters and ideas for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Campit Outdoor Resort (Fennville, MI)
Membership: $15/basic membership | $225/social membership (better option for locals)
This campground is located near Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan, which are two towns that made our list of 22 Small LGBTQ+-Friendly Cities in the U.S. So, that bodes well for queer campers looking to stay here! And different from some LGBTQ+ campgrounds, Campit Outdoor Resort also welcomes women touting that “every weekend is a Women’s Weekend” and that they are committed to making it a vacation destination for women. The resort features a clubhouse, rec hall, game room, heated in-ground swimming pool, volleyball, horseshoes, nature trails, and a “Toy Store” for men and women.
Just driving distance from Lake Michigan beaches, this 33-acre property has an array of accommodations, including log cabin rentals, a five-bedroom bunkhouse B&B, and vintage trailers. Campit Bear Weekend, Fire & Arts Weekend, Octobeerfest Weekend, Leather Bear International, and Haunted Weekend are just a few examples of fun events scheduled during the year. Want to know more about Campit Outdoor Resort? Click here for more information.
Copper Cactus Ranch Men’s Retreat (Queen Valley, AZ)
Membership: $25/per year
Owners Bobby Cook and Rich Homan wanted to create a retreat for men (21 years and older) to bond regardless of sexual orientation. It’s a place where “a man can become a better man, find his own truth or learn how to pass on tolerance and compassion all while enjoying a comfortable, safe, fun environment.” Located less than an hour’s drive east of Phoenix, the 40-acre Copper Cactus Ranch features Private Ranch House Rooms that range in price between $85 to $135 as well as Bunkrooms that range from $60 to $85.
Guests must have a yearly membership to make a reservation and a two-night minimum stay is also required. Events on the calendar for this year include a Relax & Reset Weekend, Drum Circle every 3rd Saturday of the month, Fall Equinox Body Painting Weekend, Labor Day Toga Blackout, and a Military Weekend which includes a chili cook-off. Get more information about these events and more on Copper Cactus Ranch’s website.
Roseland Resort & Campground (Proctor, WV)
Membership: $25/per year
Roseland Resort and Campground has received multiple accolades. TripAdvisor ranked it as the #1 Specialty Lodging and featured Vacationers of the Week, the Nomadic Boys, call it the “#1 Gay Campground!” Book a newly renovated Sleeper Cabin with covered decks overlooking the pool. Deluxe and Junior Deluxe Cabins as well as tent and RV camping are other options for guest accommodations. The campground also has a heated swimming pool, two hot tubs, a spa steam room and sauna, a gym, a game room, and 11 miles of hiking trails. The Pool Shed Bar + Snacks are onsite to provide guests with a little sustenance and The Male Pouch sells swimwear, sunglasses, and more just in case you forget the essentials.
M & N Fun (Men Naked for most of July), Bear Fair in September, and Nude Year’s Eve are a few events on their annual calendar. Plan your getaway to this campground located near the West Virginia-Pennsylvania border just a two-hour drive southwest of Pittsburgh and near the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border. Check out the Roseland Resort and Campground website for more information.
Vitambi Springs (Clewiston, FL)
Membership: $30/year
A primarily all-mall wilderness camp and resort, Vitambi Springs is approximately a 90-minute drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. But if you’re looking for a secluded getaway to commune with nature and bond with LGBTQ campers, you may want to consider staying here. This resort camp has hook-ups for trailers and RVs, a clothing-optional pool at the Garden Quarter, and the on-site Bongo Bar and BOLO Café are open during the weekend.
Currently, Vitambi Springs is not able to handle weekday-only reservations, but vacationers can add weekdays to their existing weekend reservations. Onsite accommodations for rent include cabins (sleeper and resort cabins), cottages, homes, a bunkhouse, inn-style rooms as well as tent and RV sites. Outdoor enthusiasts who are fans of leather, bears, women, naturists, sports, or the holidays will enjoy fun activities and a calendar of theme weekends and events to keep these campers engaged, including Vatambi Pride in June, Harness in July, Babes in the Glades in September, and Bears in Buff in December. Visit Vitambi Springs’ website for more information. Sawmill Camping Resort is also another popular option for locals or vacationers in Florida.
The Woods Camping Resort (Lehighton, PA)
Membership: $45/full season | $25/single visit temporary membership
Vacationers on the East Coast are probably more familiar with this popular LGBTQ+ campground nestled in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. The campground features “161 private acres with streams, a four-acre lake, and spacious campsites. Full disclosure… this gay campground is members-only and clothing optional. As far as accommodations go, guests have a choice of renting one of 30 cabins (various styles), three-park model resort homes, or securing a spot on the property for seasonal campers, trailers, and tents.
The Woods has no shortage of activities for members, which include theme weekends such as Gay Geek Fest, Bears in the Woods, and BIPOC Fusion Fest. Other onsite activities to keep guests busy include hiking, pool parties, volleyball, and hiking. Click here for more information about The Woods Campground.
