Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Planning & Advice Wedding Venue Ideas 21 Summer Camp Wedding Venues That Are Perfect for Your Casual Celebration By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over seven years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 24, 2023 Close Firelight Camps in Ithaca, N.Y. Alexandra Elise Photography The safari-style Firelight Camps are located on the grounds of La Tourelle Hotel, so guests can choose between the 19 upscale tents and traditional accommodations in the hotel. Each tent comes with phone-charging, battery-powered lanterns, and the bathhouse provides the comfort of hot showers, hair dryers, and toiletries. Campfires are maintained morning and night, local coffee, wines, and beers are available, and the prettily-lit bocce court screams after-party. What We Love: Right beside the campground sits Buttermilk Falls State Park—plan a pre-wedding excursion there to bond with your guests over waterfalls and gorges. Book It: The camp can be reserved exclusively for weddings with up to 125 guests from May through October. What You Need to Know to Pull Off an Outdoor Wedding 01 of 20 Camp Pinnacle in Flat Rock, North Carolina Olivia Griffin Camp Pinnacle accommodates up to 200 guests, and some of its cabins have treehouses attached! There's an amphitheater-like area overlooking the water for your ceremony, a retro, open-air basketball pavilion for your reception, and tons of water-based activities. What We Love: The camp chef is a well-known ice carver—cocktail hour decoration, anyone? Book It: The rate to rent the entire camp (with accommodations) starts at $10,000. 02 of 20 El Capítan Canyon in Gaviota, California Nirav Patel Photography Located just 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara, El Capítan Canyon combines a beach and forest wedding in one. 300 guests can be accommodated in the tents, yurts, and cabins (with private bathrooms), and there's plenty to do on-site or across the street at El Capítan State Beach. What We Love: The nearby Cold Spring Tavern makes a great day-after brunch location. Book It: For weddings, booking at least nine accommodations, with a minimum two- to three-night stay (depending on the season), is required. Get the Best of Beach Weddings 03 of 20 The Suttle Lodge in Deschutes National Forest, Oregon Natalie Puls Photography On 15.5 acres of Suttle Lake shoreline, The Suttle Lodge hosts up to 150 overnight guests, who can pick between authentic (read: no running water) and deluxe cabins. Hospitality is run by the team at Ace Hotel Portland, and a top Ava Gene's chef planned the hipster-chic lodge's menu. What We Love: Make a unique ceremony entrance with one of the lakeside lodge's watercrafts. Book It: The lodge offers two customizable packages with site fees starting at $21,150 for 60 guests and $27,900 for 150 guests. 04 of 20 Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New York Heather Waraksa Once a summer camp, the Cedar Lakes Estate just 70 miles from New York City is now a luxury destination geared toward providing an unforgettable wedding weekend. What We Love: With 500 acres that come to life with activities, swimming, gourmet dinners, and spa treatments, every whim can and will be catered to for you and your guests. Book It: Fees upon request. How to Plan a Wedding at Cedar Lakes Estate 05 of 20 Leonard Lake Reserve in Redwood Valley, California Sabine Scherer Take the plunge at the Leonard Lake Reserve. Exchange vows beneath majestic California redwood trees, then celebrate all night by the water at this family-owned property, located within a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of San Francisco. What We Love: Turn your nuptials into a weeklong vacation. Rent the entire property for several days and keep the party going. Book It: The reserve can accommodate weddings with 30 to 60 people from late spring through early fall. Go Inside a Wedding at Leonard Lake Reserve 06 of 20 Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing in New Castle, Virginia Courtesy of Wilderness Adventure With exclusive access to the 500-acre Wilderness Adventure grounds, located 35 miles north of Roanoke, Virginia, you can choose from several venues, including a rustic 1800s farmhouse or a lookout over the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. What We Love: Although guests can stay in the expansive modern lodges for the weekend, the facility offers up tents to attendees who want a real camping experience. Book It: The camp offers two customizable packages: Fees start at $16,000 for a one-night rental, including lodging, ceremony, and reception for up to 80 people, and the two-night package starts at $28,500. The Most Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Touring Wedding Venues 07 of 20 Camp Wohelo in Raymond, Maine Nina Westervelt Tippecanoe and say "I do!" At Camp Wohelo, a traditional all-girls summer camp located an hour's drive from Portland, have a weekend wedding complete with lobster cookouts, hikes, and lounging on Little Wohelo's sandy beach. What We Love: You can go for a canoe ride after your waterfront ceremony among the pines. Book It: Contact the camp for booking inquiries. Check Out a Wedding at Camp Wohelo 08 of 20 Colorado Mountain Ranch in Gold Hill, Colorado Julia Vandenoever Just 11 miles west of Boulder, the Colorado Mountain Ranch offers sweeping mountain views at its outdoor amphitheater ceremony site and a turn-of-the-century log lodge for rustic receptions. What We Love: If any unfortunate weather arises, there is an indoor venue ready to go for last-minute changes. Book It: Packages start at $7,500. There is no overnight lodging at the camp. Explore More Rustic Wedding Venues 09 of 20 Camp Korey in Carnation, Washington Daniel Kiyoi Get a two-for-one deal at Camp Korey, located just 25 miles east of Seattle, where couples rent out the enormous hippodrome for both the ceremony and reception. Hang out in outdoor teepee lounges with cocktails between the I dos and the bash to follow. What We Love: Every cent from your wedding goes back to the camp, which runs an entirely free residential summer experience for children with disabilities. Book It: Contact the camp for inquiries. Go Inside a Wedding at Camp Korey 10 of 20 Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn, Wisconsin Jaclyn Simpson Camp Wandawega is not just any old campsite. It also was a Prohibition-era speakeasy, mob hideout, and Latvian church camp! Owners Tereasa and David bought it and renovated it for their own wedding, featured in the 2009 travel issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. Now they lend the site to family, friends, and lucky renters who want to experience the beauty of the grounds, located just under a two-hour drive from Chicago. What We Love: The guys can get ready in a refurbished motorcycle garage—make sure they take some photos on an antique motorcycle with a sidecar! Book It: Rental prices for up to 50 overnight guests upon request. Check Out a Wedding at Camp Wandawega 11 of 20 Camp Waldemar in Hunt, Texas Taylor Lord It takes a village to put on a wedding, so why not bring everyone with you? Camp Waldemar, located less than two hours from both Austin and San Antonio, can lodge up to 180 people to create your own full-size summer camp. What We Love: Although you may be at a summer camp, the venue creates an absolutely glamorous atmosphere that could rival a big-city wedding. Book It: Rates upon request. Go Inside a Wedding at Camp Waldemar 12 of 20 Ohana Family Camp in Fairlee, Vermont Amy Donohue Photography Ohana means "family." So what better place to gain a whole new set of in-laws than at Ohana Family Camp? Enjoy your first family vacation together (okay, a few friends can come too!) with a wonderful weekend at Lake Fairlee, located a little over two hours from Boston. What We Love: Since there is no cell-phone service or Wi-Fi, take advantage of the grounds to go apple picking, swim at the waterfront, or challenge your father-in-law to a friendly game of tennis. Book It: Wedding bookings are available from May through October that can accommodate 175 or 180 guests depending on the package. Get More Wedding Venue Ideas 13 of 20 Camp Westwind in Otis, Oregon Courtesy of Camp Westwind Located on the Oregon coast, just 85 miles from Portland, Camp Westwind's secluded riverside location is mainly accessed by ferry, giving it the feeling of a private island. What We Love: Plan a pre-ceremony hike with your wedding party within the 529-acre wildlife habitat and end with a celebratory beach bonfire. Book It: The rate is $6,250 per night with a two-night minimum stay that can accommodate up to 145 people and includes full use of the camp. 14 of 20 Camp Blodgett in West Olive, Michigan Harrison Studio All vows on deck! Have a beachfront wedding at Camp Blodgett's Lake Michigan property, then dance the night away under the stars. What We Love: This venue is located just a two-and-a-half to four-hour drive from Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee. Book It: For wedding weekend packages, the booking rate is $15,000 for peak season (May to September) and $9,500 for off-season (October to April). Check Out a Wedding at Camp Blodgett 15 of 20 Camp O-At-Ka in Sebago, Maine Feel like you stepped into a Wes Anderson film at the charming Camp O-At-Ka, located a short 45-minute drive from Portland. This all-boys summer camp on the shores of Lake Sebago in Maine provides the perfect environment for a DIY wedding experience. What We Love: The nondenominational chapel in the woods only needs a touch of local greenery to become wedding-ready. It may look quaint, but the venue can seat up to 200 guests. Book It: Contact the camp for the most up-to-date booking information. 16 of 20 Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, Texas Michelle Boyd Photography Get the best of both worlds at this Texas Hill Country venue just 45 minutes west of Austin. Choose between a charming nineteenth-century French Colonial wedding chapel for a traditional indoor ceremony, or a grove of illuminated oak trees for a magical outdoor venue. What We Love: Camp Lucy's executive chef Andy Knudson's impressive résumé includes working for celebrity chefs Daniel Boulud, Bobby Flay, and Marc Forgione. Book It: Contact the venue to inquire. Get Inspired By Stunning Church and Chapel Venues 17 of 20 Wonder Valley Ranch Resort in Sanger, California Courtesy of Wonder Valley Ranch Located a three-and-half-hour drive from both San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Wonder Valley Ranch Resort provides all you need to have an idyllic ceremony and a load of fun for overnight guests who have full access to the recreational facilities. What We Love: We can't get enough of that stunning lakeside gazebo. Book It: There are three customizable packages that can accommodate 85 to 125 guests. See More Rustic Wedding Venues to Book for Your Big Day 18 of 20 Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, New York Briars Atlas Whiteface Lodge, a luxury resort in upstate New York, is sure to keep wedding guests active and entertained all weekend. In addition to a top-rated spa, sports and recreational activities are abundant no matter the season. For fun, there's nightly bonfires, plus a movie theater, game room, bowling alley, ice cream parlor, and ice skating rink. What We Love: Rustic scenery abounds–the resort sits within Adirondack Park, a six-million acre, protected area of woodlands and mountains, and within walking distance to Lake Placid Village. Book It: The lodge offers three customizable wedding packages—with a variety of venues to choose from, whether fireside or by the shore—for the ceremony and reception. The venue fee is $4,500 with a $25,000 food and beverage minimum. Check Out This Retro, Camp-Themed Wedding at Whiteface Lodge 19 of 20 Costanoa Lodge in Pescadero, California Delbarr Moradi Photography One hour south of San Francisco on California's scenic Highway 1, sits Costanoa Lodge, a scenic eco-adventure resort on an overlook of bluffs and secluded beaches. Accommodations suit a wide range of comfort levels, from luxury lodge suites and cozy cabins, to glamping bungalows and pitched tents. What We Love: Surrounded by four state parks and a wildlife preserve, there's plenty of nature to take in by hiking, biking, kayaking, and horseback riding. Group activities like wine tastings, star gazing, and yoga classes can be arranged, and there's an on-site spa. Book It: Costanoa offers several wedding packages with a variety of ceremony and reception site options. See This Couple's DIY Outdoor Wedding at Costanoa 20 of 20 The Retreat at Balcones Springs in Marble Falls, Texas Jenna McElroy The Retreat at Balcones Springs, a Texas Hill Country property just 45 minutes north of Austin, is set on 250 acres with 45 luxury cabins surrounded by junipers and live oaks, hiking trails, and a spring-fed lake. Wedding guests will have a hard time choosing from the multitude of things to do, the grounds are stacked with tons of activities and recreation—from pickle ball, to yoga, to horseback riding, to archery. What We Love: The retreat is female founded and family run. Owner Christine Baskin bought the sparsely developed property in the '90s from ranchers and transformed it—with her small, dedicated team—into a children's summer camp, and wedding and event venue. Book It: The retreat offers eight ceremony and reception site options, from an amphitheater overlooking the lake to a climate-controlled grand hall. Check Out a Wedding at The Retreat at Balcones Springs Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit