Do you remember the good ol’ days? A youthful time of outdoor play, when there wasn’t a screen in every palm, and no matter what the temperature was, days and nights were spent outside with friends and family. 

That’s exactly what Stuart and Tasha Blythin, founders of the iconic Texas theme park Schlitterbahn, had in mind when they created Camp Landa, a boutique 30-acre RV park located in the heart of historic New Braunfels. Reminiscent of a dreamy 1960s ambiance, this retro-inspired, modernly accessible campground returns to an era of outdoor adventure, inviting you to reconnect with loved ones and relive the good old days once again.

Rest-Ready RV Sites and Cabins

As RV campers themselves, owners Stuart and Tasha have enthusiastically planned the perfect RV campground. Boasting over 100 leveled sites with full hookups throughout the property, there’s likely a size and spot just right for any RV. Poolside Paradise offers the closest proximity to the pool, complete with a private grill, while The Meadows presents the convenience of pull-through sites. The Bluffs are larger, perfect for longer trailers or RVs, and conveniently close to the Activity Center for your retail and grocery needs.

For those who travel without a house hitched behind you, Camp Landa offers cozy cabins complete with fully stocked kitchens that can comfortably accommodate eight people. Overlooking a peaceful, tree-lined field, each cabin features a covered outdoor dining area, providing the perfect natural backdrop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Let’s not forget the private grill at each cabin, making this an all-season escape for romantic retreats or family fun. Also, each cabin is just steps away from all the amenities — heated pool, fire pits, pickleball courts, and the camp store — ensuring you’ll never have to travel far for your campsite provisions or entertainment. 

A Refreshing Take on the Resort-Style Pool

Camp Landa’s masterfully designed mid-century modern pool is an amenity that alone is worth the travel. The resort-style pool is cleverly crafted to invoke a sense of timelessness and fun, like an ode to the retro interstate road trips of our youth. Lounge chairs surround the perfectly placed palm trees and ocean-inspired blues radiate from the pool, complemented by a pop of colorful umbrellas, all creating a tropical getaway in the heart of Texas. The pool is also heated, providing a year-round poolside destination while remaining a refreshing retreat during the dog days of summer.

Whether you’re splashing around with friends and family or lounging under a palm tree, the swim-up bar provides the perfect pairing for this nostalgia-inducing playground. As Camp Landa points out, “It’s not every day you find a resort-style heated pool with a swim-up bar while camping, but we like to be a little bit different.” The difference here shines as bright as the Texas sun. Not only does the cooling shade of the swim-up bar’s terrace bring reprieve while floating carelessly under the sun, but Camp Landa’s creative bartenders are often stirring — or shaking — up something special and unique. Seasonally driven and forward-thinking, the drink menu features everything from Cucumber Coolers in the summer to a S’mores Old Fashioned in the winter.

Libations are plentiful at Camp Landa’s pool bar, but don’t let that overshadow the exquisite food options. Delivered directly from the onsite café to your seat at the swim-up bar, you can savor local favorites while paddling your feet underwater. The Reuben eggrolls are a delightful surprise. And if you didn’t read that correctly, yes, a Reuben eggroll. Decadently fried to a golden brown and stuffed with local pastrami and kraut, this scrumptious starter combines New Braunfels’ German heritage with an Eastern-inspired favorite. Another crowd-pleaser is the Giant Loaded Pretzel, a generously sized pretzel served warm and fluffy and topped with local bratwurst, sauerkraut, and house-made thousand island dressing. Eat this satisfying course as a standalone entrée or share it with a group to sample more of Camp Landa’s café menu. If you’re here for more than one day, make a conscious effort to try something different for each course. The team has crafted this menu to complement the retro paradise that will linger in your memories.

Take a Relaxing Float on the Comal River

There are possibly two or three reasons to leave Campa Landa during the day. One is to explore the historic towns of New Braunfels and Gruene, where Western-style buildings and landmarks share space with new-age hipster burger joints and coffee shops. The other is Landa Falls.

Located less than a mile from Camp Landa, Landa Falls is known for being the longest float on the Comal River. Set aside at least three hours for this tried-and-true Texas tradition, where you can lazily drift down along a relaxing river cooled by the shade of arching canopies. Then brace yourself for a couple of exhilarating tube chutes that quickly — and safely — turn this float into an aquatic adventure of tosses and turns. Best of all, you can hitch a ride on a dedicated shuttle that transfers you from Camp Landa’s pool to the launch point, effortlessly making this an add-on option to your retro-paradise getaway.

All Your Camp Needs

Forget all the worries of daily rushes to the store for provisions or thoughts of necessities left behind on the kitchen counter. Camp Landa’s camp store is fully equipped and ready to fulfill all your retail needs for the Great American Getaway. Simply perusing the store is an experience in itself, as you can shop for everything from must-have souvenirs, such as Camp Landa-branded equipment like pickleball gear, tees, and sweatshirts, to local meats and cheeses, beer and wine, and toiletries.

What makes the store incredibly unique is the attached German café and retro game arcade. The combined café arcade offers the fun and excitement of classic games, along with ample seating space for a wonderful family meal. The menu includes all the aforementioned entrees from the pool bar, as well as familiar hits like the Landa Burger or grilled cheese for the kids. The tables and seating options are plentiful, along with enough barstool space to become a regular, so families flocking from all over or traveling couples seeking small-town adventures can take refuge here. There is even a large enough event space for movie nights and acoustic performances. In fact, with its weekly programming and shows, Camp Landa stands out not only as a getaway destination but also as a daily option for locals and travelers seeking entertainment. Follow Camp Landa’s Facebook and Instagram to stay current on all the upcoming happenings.

True Texas Hospitality

If all this wasn’t enough already, what sets Camp Landa apart from most destinations is its customer-focused approach to travel. Tasha and Stuart created Camp Landa based on a storied tradition of hospitality; it’s basically in their blood. Guided by grandparents who once operated their own small resort, Camp Landa was founded on three principles: welcoming everyone like family, creating a place where time can disappear and families can reconnect, and having a truly great heated pool.

Led by these three principles, Tasha and Stuart created a timeless escape that combines a high-end RV resort with cozy, country cabin getaways, along with a bounty of extras, including a foodie-driven café and a pool that would make most hotels blush. And the fun isn’t contained to those areas. At Camp Landa, there are pickle ball courts and fire pits. Playgrounds and play areas. Guest laundry for the clothes that will undeniably be soiled by outdoor play. And of course, wi-fi.

This all-American time capsule of retro-nostalgia is forever old-fashioned but never outdated. Here, you’re never too removed from modern luxuries. By leveraging a texting concierge, you can communicate in real-time with an actual live person, ensuring that all pre-arrival needs are met and any onsite issues are promptly remedied (not that you will have any, of course). For more information, visit their website to book your stay.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cover photo courtesy CoPilot Creative

 Martin Ramirez is a brisket-eating, Shiner-loving, road-tripping enthusiast of all things Texas. This Dallas-born writer / adventurer is ready to take his ‘78 El Camino to find the best in food, fun, and fitness throughout the Lone Star State.