Potlucks, Drag Pageants, and Kink Weekends: 6 Great LGBTQ+ Campgrounds in the U.S.

It's not every day you see a sex swing on a hiking trail. Nathan and I were in the small town of Albion, Maine, hauling our airstream back from Canada, and we were trying something new. At first glance, you might mistakeTwin Ponds Lodgefor any other campground, complete with tent sites, cabins, and wooded trails. But then you notice the hiking trail called 'Bare Run to Rock Hard,' the Pride flags billowing on the lodge, and the pool rules stating 'bottoms must be accompanied by an adult.' Also, everyone was naked. Twin Ponds Lodge was our first gay campground experience, but not our first rodeo. We've been to our fair share of gay bathhouses around the world (ahem,Amsterdam), including a bathhouse-themed party at Southern Decadence in New Orleans, whichNathan just wrote about. We've frequented the clothing-optional pool atMagnetic Valleyin Eureka Springs, and spent a week at a clothing-optionalgay guesthouse in Hawaii. But forested sex swings were new. Shedding My Shame Through Decadence We spent two nights at Twin Ponds Lodge, and it wasn't nearly as sordid as it sounds. Sure, there were sex swings and pup masks and a guy watching porn next to the billiard tables. But what we found was a close-knit community that felt safe, serene, and just a little bit salacious. It was a beautifully maintained property, manned by welcoming staffers who knew half the guests by name, where gay men could freely be themselves — clothes or not. Not every gay campground is like this, though. Some, like Twin Ponds, are exclusively for gay men, while others emphasize the larger LGBTQ+ community, and some offer dedicated space for women. Many are clothing-optional and adults-only, operating via memberships in tucked-away locales to ensure safety. The best of them still feel like 'regular' campgrounds, marked by communal fire pits and heated swimming pools, with inclusive and/or kinky events and amenities that distinguish them from the family facilities down the road. And allies are always invited. Whether you're looking for a late-season s'more, a potluck among LGBTQ+ peers, or a naked hike in the woods, here are six of the best gay campgrounds in the U.S. The Gay Lane is a reader-supported platform by independent queer creators. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Albion, Maine Our first gay campground set a high bar. Hidden away off a discrete dirt road in central Maine, Twin Ponds Lodge features cabins, RV and tent sites, and glamping-style 'Never Tents' on 82 acres of pine forests, tranquil meadows, and ponds. Open from March through New Year's Day, the gated campground — like many LGBTQ+ properties — requires a membership fee for booking, which helps weed out homophobic passersby. The campground is specifically for men over 18, and clothing-optional. Which means, yeah, you might see a gay couple having sex outside their RV over coffee one morning, or naked men in the heated indoor pool. And yes, there's sex equipment strewn along 7.5 miles of forested trails. But mostly it's surprisingly wholesome, with no pressure to be nude, and a lounge area stocked with boardgames and billiards. Day passes are available for non-guests, and recurring events include community potlucks, karaoke, kink weekends, craft fairs, and drag bingo. Season: March through New Year's Day Who is welcome: Men; 18+ Clothing-optional: Yes Cost: Day passes start at $35, membership fee is $40, and nightly rates start at $59 for tents and $84 for glamping tents Fennville, Michigan 'Campit isn't really about the pool or the activities or even the land itself, it's about who you end up talking to at 11pm.' That's according to Campit Outdoor Resort, among the first LGBTQ+ campgrounds in the Midwest. We stayed here when we were visiting thewildly LGBTQ+-friendly region of Saugatuck-Douglasin Michigan. Nestled on 33 private acres flanked by tree-lined farmland, the massive campground caters to all 21+ members of the LGBTQ+ community (and allies), with 200 camping sites, log cabins, RV spots, retro campers, a heated pool, and clubhouse. Additional amenities include volleyball courts, horseshoes, a cafe, food trucks, rental bikes, and hiking trails. Events, too, and notably inclusive, like Sweater HER Weather Weekends with drag king shows, Harvest Foodie Fest, and Cosplay Gaming. Season: April through October Who is welcome: All LGBTQ+ community members and allies; 21+ Clothing-optional: No Cost: Day passes are $15, memberships are $15, and nightly rates start at $10 for tents and $120 for cabins