Camp Mystic Announces Major Decision Following Deadly Texas Floods
on Apr 30, 2026
Camp Mystic Devastated In Texas Floods
Camp Mystic is a century-old Christian girls’ summer camp located in Hunt, an unincorporated community in Kerr County, Texas.
On July 4, 2025, the camp was destroyed by catastrophic flooding that washed through the region. The Guadalupe River surged dramatically, rising approximately 22 to 29 feet in under two hours, sweeping away cabins, roads, and everything in its path.
Camp Mystic’s youngest campers were tragically housed in low‑lying cabins located less than 500 feet from the Guadalupe River and were among the first to be overwhelmed when the flash flood struck.
At least 27 campers and counselors were confirmed dead following the tragic flash flooding in the region. The camp’s owner, Dick Eastland, also passed away.
Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured Camp Mystic shortly after the tragedy, describing the scene as “horrendously ravaged in ways unlike I’ve seen in any natural disaster.”
“The height the rushing water reached to the top of cabins was shocking. We won’t stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins,” Abbott said.
In August of 2025, multiple families appeared before the Texas State Senate to support “Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act,” legislation aimed at implementing stricter safety standards for youth camps and campgrounds statewide.
Camp Mystic shared their support for the bill, saying while they could not comment on it, they were in favor of safer camping practices along the river.
Camp Mystic Withdraws Plans To Reopen This Summer
Initially, Camp Mystic seemed determined to reopen this upcoming summer. A least 850 campers were reportedly signed up to return this year.
Camp officials welcomed lawmakers to inspect the safety upgrades implemented after the devastation. They assured visitors that no activities would be held in the low-lying areas that were most severely impacted, and pointed out that hundreds of families are eager to return, emphasizing the camp’s lasting importance to generations of Texans.
However, on Thursday (April 30), it appears the camp has halted those plans. Camp Mystic officially withdrew its application to reopen this summer amid weeks of testimony in court hearings and legislative investigations.
“No administrative process or summer season should move forward while families continue to grieve, while investigations continue and while so many Texans still carry the pain of last July’s tragedy,” the camp said in a statement.
Abbott said in a statement that the camp’s decision means it will remain closed this year. He added that the Texas Department of State Health Services is continuing to work with the Texas Rangers on an investigation into Camp Mystic, and that the findings will be made public as soon as possible.
“Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones and those recovering from last year’s devastating Fourth of July floods,” Abbott said.
Read more about “Heaven’s 27” mission below.
