Camp Tahuaya opens to public after upgrades

March 6, 2025

By Daniel Moctezuma

The Belton Journal

Camp Tahuaya, located at 2603 Tahuaya Drive in Belton, is now officially open to the public after traditionally being limited to Scouting programs.

Longhorn Council, Scouting America, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the camp on Saturday, March 1, to mark the completion of several upgrades aimed at welcoming families, schools, church groups, and other community organizations.

Traditionally, Camp Tahuaya was only available to Scouts and typically operated on weekends and during the summer. Now, with modernized facilities and expanded programming, the camp will be open year-round to the public.

“We’ve created accommodations that are comfortable for all generations of people,” said Michael Cawood, a volunteer with Longhorn Council and the council’s Vice President of Strategy.

New accommodations include family suites, family cabins, RV sites, wall tents, and traditional campsites. Families and visitors can also participate in a variety of outdoor activities such as archery, climbing, hiking, fishing, and paddleboarding.

Cawood said the decision to upgrade and expand access came after the council noticed more families looking for ways to spend time outdoors.

“We knew families were going into the outdoors, and we also knew our property needed to be upgraded,” Cawood said. “We started this process four years ago to make this camp something everyone could enjoy.”

The Community Preview Day held on Sunday, March 2, gave visitors their first opportunity to see the upgrades for themselves. The event offered guided tours and outdoor activities, giving families a chance to experience what Camp Tahuaya has to offer.

Camp Tahuaya’s location also carries historical significance. The property sits along the Chisholm Trail and once served as a waystation where travelers could grind grain at a mill.

To mark the occasion, Longhorn Council leaders chose to tie two Scouting neckerchiefs together instead of cutting a ribbon, symbolizing the connection between the camp’s history and its future.