Camp Mystic officially withdrew its application for a summer 2026 camp license on April 30, 2026, confirming the facility will remain closed for the upcoming season. The decision follows the devastating flash flood on July 4, 2025, that resulted in the deaths of 28 people, including 25 young campers, at the historic Hill Country site.
The withdrawal comes amid intense scrutiny from state lawmakers and an ongoing joint investigation by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Rangers.
While the camp owners initially expressed a desire to reopen a portion of the property on higher ground, they stated that stepping back is necessary out of respect for grieving families and the legal complexities of the ongoing inquiries. The closure signifies a major pause for the long-standing institution as it faces multiple wrongful death lawsuits and allegations of inadequate emergency preparedness.
The tragedy that prompted the closure occurred in the early morning hours of Independence Day in 2025, when the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in approximately 45 minutes. According to investigative reports, the victims included 25 girls aged 8 to 10, two teenage counselors, and the camp’s executive director, Dick Eastland, who died while attempting to rescue children.
In its formal statement, Camp Mystic leadership acknowledged that “no administrative process or summer season should move forward while families continue to grieve” and while investigations into the event are still active. The camp reported that although over 800 girls had expressed interest in returning to the Cypress Lake site this summer, the owners chose to withdraw their application.
Legislative hearings held in late April 2026 revealed that DSHS had identified more than 20 categories where the camp’s safety measures fell short of requirements. Testimony from grieving parents during these sessions alleged that the camp had ignored multiple flood warnings and lacked a legally required evacuation plan.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had previously called for the state to reject the camp’s license renewal until all investigations were completed, citing “hundreds of complaints” filed about the care of children at the facility. Legal counsel for several of the families expressed gratitude for the withdrawal, stating that accountability for the “100% preventable” deaths must remain the priority.
“Today is not about camp operations,” the camp statement concluded. “It is about respect for the families, accountability to the public and reverence for the memory of the lives lost”.
In response to the statement from Camp Mystic, Governor Greg Abbott issued the following statement.
“Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones and those recovering from last year’s devastating Fourth of July floods. Camp Mystic has withdrawn its application to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) seeking to open as a camp this year. As a result, the camp will remain closed for 2026. The DSHS continues working with the Texas Rangers to investigate Camp Mystic. The results of that investigation will be made public as soon as possible.”
Full report on Hill Country flood investigations This video provides a detailed breakdown of the legislative testimony and investigative findings surrounding the emergency response failures during the 2025 floods.