The presidential retreat Camp David is in what U.S. state?

Maryland.

Camp David, the official retreat of the President of the United States, is located in the U.S. state of Maryland. Nestled in the wooded hills of Catoctin Mountain Park in Frederick County, it serves as a private, secluded getaway for the president and their guests. The retreat is approximately 62 miles north-northwest of Washington, D.C., making it relatively close to the White House yet far enough to offer a tranquil escape from the bustling capital.

Originally built as a camp for federal government agents and their families in 1938, it was transformed into a presidential retreat by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, who initially named it “Shangri-La,” after the fictional Himalayan paradise in the 1933 novel “Lost Horizon” by James Hilton. The name was meant to evoke the sense of isolation and peace found at the retreat. However, it was President Dwight D. Eisenhower who renamed it Camp David in the 1950s in honor of his father and his grandson, both named David.

Camp David has played a significant role in American history, particularly as a venue for important diplomatic and policy discussions. It is famed for hosting the 1978 peace negotiations between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. These talks, known as the Camp David Accords, successfully led to a peace treaty between the two countries, demonstrating the site’s utility as a neutral ground for delicate negotiations.

The facilities at Camp David are equipped to accommodate a variety of activities and needs. It includes cabins, meeting rooms, and recreational facilities, enabling the president to work, host heads of state, or simply relax. The retreat’s secure, private nature allows the president and their guests to engage in discussions and leisure activities away from the public eye and media scrutiny.

Despite its importance in U.S. politics and history, Camp David remains largely shrouded in secrecy, with few photographs and detailed descriptions of its interior and daily operations publicly available. This secrecy adds to the mystique of the retreat, making it not just a physical location but a symbol of presidential solitude, decision-making, and diplomacy. The retreat’s serene and secluded environment, combined with its rich history of hosting crucial diplomatic meetings, solidifies its status as a significant American site.