Camp Mystic 2026 closure draws response from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
Camp MysticA Texas summer camp where 27 teenage girls and camp counselors died during a 2025 flood will not reopen this summer, with the state’s governor saying the investigation into the camp is ongoing.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott released a statement confirming that Camp Mystic had withdrawn its application to reopen this summer.
“Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones and to those who survived last year’s devastating July 4th floods,” Abbott said in a statement. “DSHS continues to work with the Texas Rangers to investigate Camp Mystic. The results of this investigation will be made public as soon as possible.”
Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference on July 08, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Governor Abbott announced that more than 160 people are still missing after deadly flooding early Friday. Heavy rains last week caused severe flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas, and more than 100 people were reported dead, including children attending Camp Mystic.
The summer 2026 closure of the camp, reported Thursday, April 30, comes after Texas State lawmakers heard two days of heartbreaking testimony from flood incident investigators who determined the loss of life could have been prevented. Family members of those killed I beg the state not to allow the camp to reopen this summer.
Days before the hearings, the camp sent shockwaves across Texas by applying to renew its license and reopen this summer. Aspect The Texas Tribune reportedThe Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) found that the application was missing 22 categories of information. The camp was given 45 days to make the necessary corrections.
The application was another point of contention; Lawmakers, among others, grilled camp owners during hearings in Austin on April 29, asking whether they were truly ready to welcome campers back.
Has Camp Mystic closed for good?
State lawmakers hinted at a hearing this week that they want Camp Mystic to continue, but not under its current owners.
The camp also sent a letter to Camp Mystic families scheduled to return this year informing them of the closure, but did not say whether this would be the end of the camp.
“We recognize that our community continues to grieve a great loss and that many families continue to bear unimaginable pain,” the letter said. “We believe that stepping back at this time is the right and responsible decision for the 2026 camp season.”
USA TODAY reporter Michael Loria contributed to this story.
Mateo Rosiles is a Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and regional newspapers in Texas. Do you have any news for him? Email him/her mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article was first published on USATNetwork: Texas governor responds to summer 2026 closure of Texas Camp Mystic
