Presidents need places to rest, recharge, and conduct business away from the White House. But where a President chooses to retreat has significant implications for taxpayer costs. This article compares the two most discussed presidential getaway destinations: the government-owned Camp David and the privately-owned Mar-a-Lago resort.

Camp David: The Traditional Presidential Retreat

History and Location

Camp David is a 125-acre compound located in the Catoctin Mountain Park in Frederick County, Maryland, approximately 62 miles north-northwest of Washington, D.C. Originally built as a camp for federal government agents and their families during the 1930s, it was converted to a presidential retreat by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, who named it "Shangri-La." President Eisenhower renamed it "Camp David" in 1953 after his grandson.

The facility is officially known as Naval Support Facility Thurmont and is operated by the U.S. Navy. It includes multiple cabins and lodges, the primary presidential cabin (Aspen Lodge), conference facilities, a pool, tennis courts, a bowling alley, and other recreational amenities—all secured by the Marine Corps.

Transportation Costs

Camp David's proximity to Washington provides its most significant cost advantage. The President typically travels there via Marine One helicopter, a flight of approximately 30 minutes. At $16,700-$20,000 per hour for helicopter operations, a round trip to Camp David costs roughly $17,000-$20,000 in transportation.

Compare this to Mar-a-Lago, which requires Air Force One at $177,000-$206,000 per hour for a 4-5 hour round trip, plus backup aircraft, cargo planes for the motorcade, and other support. Transportation to Camp David costs approximately 1-2% of what a Mar-a-Lago trip costs.

Security Infrastructure

Camp David's security infrastructure is permanent and government-owned. The Marine Corps maintains a constant security presence regardless of whether the President is in residence. Perimeter security, communications systems, and protective measures are already in place and don't require the temporary setup needed for visits to private properties.

This means security costs during presidential visits are primarily incremental—additional personnel and heightened alert status—rather than the full deployment required for locations that aren't permanently secured.

Facility Costs

As a government facility, Camp David's operating costs are absorbed into the Navy's general budget. The President doesn't pay rent or usage fees. Maintenance, staffing, and utilities are ongoing government expenses that exist whether the President visits or not.

While exact operating costs for Camp David aren't publicly disclosed, estimates suggest the facility costs taxpayers approximately $7-8 million per year to maintain—regardless of how frequently any President uses it.

Mar-a-Lago: The Private Club Retreat

History and Location

Mar-a-Lago is a 126-room, 62,500-square-foot estate in Palm Beach, Florida, built between 1924 and 1927 by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Donald Trump purchased the property in 1985 and converted it to a private club in 1995. Since his 2016 election, it has been dubbed the "Winter White House."

Unlike Camp David, Mar-a-Lago is a privately-owned, commercially operated property. It functions as a members-only club with initiation fees reportedly at $200,000 and annual dues of $14,000. The President's use of the facility means the Secret Service and other government personnel must operate within a space that simultaneously serves paying members and hosts private events.

Transportation Costs

Mar-a-Lago is approximately 1,000 miles from Washington, D.C., requiring Air Force One for presidential travel. Based on our Air Force One analysis:

• Primary Air Force One: $800,000-$1,000,000 (4-5 hours round trip)
• Backup Air Force One: $800,000-$1,000,000 (typically flies same route)
• Cargo aircraft for motorcade: $200,000-$400,000
• Marine One operations (White House to Andrews): $35,000-$40,000

Total estimated Air Force One transportation costs: $1.8-$2.4 million per trip

Security Costs

Unlike Camp David, Mar-a-Lago requires extensive temporary security measures for each presidential visit:

• Secret Service: The GAO found that Secret Service incurred approximately $1.6 million in costs for four Mar-a-Lago trips in early 2017, including temporary duty costs for agents.
• Coast Guard: Maritime security zones must be established in the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the property. The Coast Guard incurred approximately $3.4 million for those same four trips.
• Local Law Enforcement: Palm Beach County and the Town of Palm Beach provide additional security support, with the county reportedly spending millions annually during presidential visits.

The waterfront location creates unique security challenges that don't exist at Camp David's landlocked mountain site.

Facility Payments

Perhaps most controversially, the government pays Mar-a-Lago directly for certain services. The GAO found that approximately $60,000 was paid to Mar-a-Lago for the four trips examined, primarily for Secret Service agent lodging. While most agents stayed at nearby hotels, some rooms at the resort itself were required for security purposes.

This means taxpayer dollars flow directly to a business in which the President has a financial interest—a situation that doesn't arise with government-owned Camp David.

Cost Comparison Summary

Category	Camp David	Mar-a-Lago
Distance from D.C.	62 miles	~1,000 miles
Primary Transportation	Marine One helicopter	Air Force One
Transportation Cost	~$17,000-$20,000	~$1.8-$2.4 million
Security Infrastructure	Permanent (government-owned)	Temporary (deployed each visit)
Maritime Security	Not required (landlocked)	Coast Guard deployment required
Facility Payments	None (government property)	~$15,000 per trip
Est. Total Cost Per Trip	$50,000-$100,000	$3.4 million (GAO average)

Historical Usage Patterns

Different Presidents have shown dramatically different preferences for presidential retreats:

Heavy Camp David Users

George W. Bush visited Camp David frequently, using it for approximately 487 days during his presidency. He also spent significant time at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Ronald Reagan was also a frequent Camp David visitor, often spending weekends there throughout his two terms.

Alternative Retreat Preferences

Barack Obama used Camp David less frequently than many predecessors, often preferring to stay in Washington or vacation in locations like Martha's Vineyard and Hawaii. Donald Trump rarely visited Camp David during his first term, strongly preferring Mar-a-Lago and his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Joe Biden frequently traveled to his homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with relatively few Camp David visits compared to the frequency of his Delaware trips.

Beyond Costs: Other Considerations

Diplomacy and Hosting

Camp David has a distinguished history as a diplomatic venue. The Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel (1978) remain its most famous accomplishment, but the facility has hosted numerous other significant diplomatic meetings. Its seclusion and government-controlled environment make it ideal for sensitive negotiations.

Mar-a-Lago has also hosted foreign leaders, including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Trump's first term. However, its status as a private club raises security and transparency concerns that don't exist at Camp David.

Work Environment

Both locations include facilities for presidential work. Camp David has secure communications and conference facilities. Mar-a-Lago, while not originally designed for government use, has been adapted to support presidential communications, though some critics have raised concerns about security protocols at a facility that also serves private club members.

Climate and Recreation

An obvious difference is climate. Camp David offers a wooded mountain environment—beautiful in fall and summer, cold in winter. Mar-a-Lago provides Florida's warm, sunny weather and proximity to golf courses. Personal preference naturally plays a role in where Presidents choose to spend their limited downtime.

The Transparency Question

One reason we track Mar-a-Lago visits separately on our schedule tracker is the significant cost difference compared to government-owned retreats. When a President chooses Mar-a-Lago over Camp David, taxpayers pay substantially more for what serves a similar purpose: giving the President a place to work and rest outside Washington.

This isn't a partisan observation—the same cost differential would apply to any President choosing a distant private property over nearby government facilities. Our goal is simply to make these costs visible so citizens can evaluate how their tax dollars are spent.

Conclusion

The choice between Camp David and Mar-a-Lago illustrates how presidential preferences can significantly impact taxpayer costs. A single Mar-a-Lago trip costs roughly what 30-70 Camp David trips would cost. Over a four-year term, a President who strongly prefers distant private properties could cost taxpayers tens of millions more than one who uses Camp David.

Neither location is "free"—Camp David costs millions annually to maintain whether it's used or not. But the marginal cost of additional Camp David visits is dramatically lower than trips to private properties that require full Air Force One deployment and temporary security infrastructure.

Understanding these cost structures helps citizens engage more thoughtfully with debates about presidential travel. Our schedule tracker provides the data; what conclusions to draw are up to you.

Related Articles:
Understanding Mar-a-Lago Travel Costs • Understanding Air Force One • Analyzing Presidential Schedule Patterns