Camp David, Maryland

Laurel Lodge is the main presidential residence at Camp David, the secluded retreat for the President of the United States located in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountain Park. As the central hub of the compound, Laurel Lodge features a comfortable, rustic design that balances simplicity with functionality. It includes a dining area, meeting spaces, and living quarters, serving both as a place for the President to relax with family and as a setting for informal diplomacy. Over the decades, Laurel Lodge has hosted historic meetings, including pivotal moments in international relations such as the 1978 Camp David Accords. Despite its modest exterior, the lodge is outfitted with secure communications and amenities suitable for the commander-in-chief. Its private, forested location and low-key atmosphere make it an ideal setting for candid discussions and presidential downtime.