At Camp Blackfoot, a cruel prank by mischievous teenagers goes horribly wrong, severely injuring the camp caretaker, Cropsy. The teens intended to scare Cropsy with a horrifically simple joke involving a worm-riddled skull and candles, but an accidental fire leaves him with disfiguring burns. After spending five years in a hospital enduring numerous unsuccessful skin grafts, Cropsy is released, his body and mind scarred by the traumatic incident. The caretaker's psyche unravels from the horror of his disfigurement and the pain of his solitude, propelling him on a path of vengeance fueled by the agony of his past.

Seeking retribution, the caretaker returns to a different camp, Camp Stonewater, which sits in proximity to the site of his fateful accident. As the campers and counselors engage in typical summer activities, they remain blissfully unaware of the danger lurking within the surrounding wilderness. The camp's atmosphere is one of budding romances and friendly rivalry, a stark contrast to the sinister plot of revenge being silently woven into the tapestry of their idyllic setting. As the violence encroaches, the tension mounts, and the once tranquil getaway becomes overshadowed by a pervasive sense of dread.