22. Camp David is the last presidential retreat operated by the United States government
Several latter-day presidents have held private retreats of their own, such as Nixon’s San Clemente estate, Reagan’s California ranch, the second President Bush’s ranch in Texas, and so on. Most have preferred their own properties for longer vacations, and the public hasn’t seemed to mind. Alternative vacation options for presidents have dwindled since FDR opened Shangri La. No longer can the president enjoy an evening cruise on the Potomac, unless he is the invited guest of a boat owner. Jimmy Carter decommissioned the presidential yacht early in his presidency, and no president since has suggested bringing it back.
The Little White House at Key West, which was Truman’s preferred vacation spot (and which was used by Eisenhower and Kennedy as well) is today a museum, decorated to appear as it did when Truman was in residence. Camp Rapidan, built by Herbert Hoover and donated to the government to provide a vacation site for the president, is open for tours and operated by the National Park Service. It was restored to appear as it did when Lou and Herbert Hoover visited in 1929, the first recreation camp built specifically for the use of the president and his entourage. Today, Camp David is the only site dedicated to presidential recreational use operated and maintained by the government.
