Camp David

Camp David is a military compound and presidential retreat in Frederick County, Maryland. The facility spreads across wooded terrain in Catoctin Mountain Park at an elevation near 560 meters, enclosed by security barriers and surrounded by dense forest.

Franklin D. Roosevelt established the retreat in 1942 under the name Shangri-La to create a secure refuge outside the capital. Dwight Eisenhower renamed it in 1953 after his grandson, giving the place its present identity.

The compound blends into the woodland through its low-profile architecture and avoids ornamental display. Access remains restricted to the president and invited guests, making it an invisible presence in the surrounding park.

The compound is not open to visitors and can only be seen from within if officially invited. The nearest public area is Catoctin Mountain Park, which surrounds the restricted zone.

Diplomats signed the peace accord between Egypt and Israel here in 1978 after lengthy negotiations. Other international talks have taken place on the grounds, giving the retreat a diplomatic role beyond its function as a refuge.

Location: Frederick County

Inception: 1935

Architectural style: National Park Service rustic

Elevation above the sea: 564 m

Address: Park Central Road

Website: https://whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/camp-david

GPS coordinates: 39.64833,-77.46361

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:35