A Georgia property began as a military academy summer camp; after 30 years as one family’s retreat, the 280-acre estate with a 10-acre lake and six miles of trails is asking $7.5 million

The grandparents of current co-listing agent Ashley Altenbach purchased the property and gradually expanded it by acquiring additional acreage from neighboring landowners.

A property once filled with the regimented routines of a military academy summer camp has taken on a very different rhythm. According to a report by the Mansion Global, in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, a sprawling 280-acre estate known as Camp David has spent the past three decades as a private family retreat, where summers revolved around horses, hiking, fishing and long days outdoors. Now, the expansive property is on the market for $7.5 million. Scroll down to read the details of the property.

From summer camp to family retreat

As per Mansion Global report, the estate was originally owned by the Georgia Military Academy, which was renamed Woodward Academy in 1966. In the early 1960s, the property operated as a summer camp with tightly scheduled days that began with reveille and ended with lights out at 9:30 p.m. And camp activities included arts and crafts, field games, archery and campfire gatherings, giving generations of students a structured outdoor escape. Decades later, the same land became a much more informal gathering place for one Atlanta-area family.The grandparents of current co-listing agent Ashley Altenbach purchased the property and gradually expanded it by acquiring additional acreage from neighboring landowners. Over 30 years, Camp David evolved into a multigenerational retreat where their 10 grandchildren regularly spent holidays and extended summer visits.

A private estate built for outdoor living

As per the online report, the centerpiece of the property is a custom-built three-bedroom, three-bathroom main residence. A renovated guesthouse adds three bedrooms and two bathrooms, while a historic two-bedroom cottage provides another potential living or rental space. Beyond the residences, the estate is designed around recreation and open space. A 10-acre stocked lake provides opportunities for fishing and kayaking, while roughly six miles of riding and hiking trails wind through mature forests and pastures.The grounds also feature a large swimming pool, a three-stall horse barn with a riding ring and former football and baseball fields. A sizable gymnasium has since been converted into garage and storage space, preserving another reminder of the property’s earlier life.

A rare estate near Atlanta

According to Mansion Global, Chattahoochee Hills sits about 25 miles southwest of Atlanta and was incorporated in 2007. The city developed around sustainability-focused planning principles, including restrictions intended to preserve open land and limit the intensity of development. Camp David sits directly across from Serenbe, the well-known sustainable community centered around a main street of shops and gathering spaces. The estate’s history is also tied to the formation of Chattahoochee Hills, with the former owner among the city’s founding members.That combination of scale, history and proximity to Atlanta makes the property unusual. Large private estates are increasingly difficult to find within easy reach of the city, particularly those offering extensive trails, water frontage, equestrian facilities and multiple residences, adds the online report.After serving as a military academy camp and then a cherished family getaway for 30 years, Camp David is now entering its next chapter with 280 acres of Georgia landscape, a 10-acre lake and a remarkable collection of recreational amenities offered for $7.5 million.Images Courtesy: Mansion Global