Ah! Military Campgrounds

Wayne M · 04-20-2009, 09:06 PM

We spent the last 2 nights at Shields Fam Camp. It is in a brand new loactions just inside the gate at the Navy SeeBee base in gulfport. Not much in the form of amenities. Just a small office, but the sites are very, very nice with a lot of room between sites that are 70 feet long, 30 feet wide. The between space must be at least 40 feet.

Tonight we are in Site #4, Oak Grove CG, Naval Air Station, Pensacola Florida. When the Blue Angels are in town they practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. They are in town. We will get up early and be at the flight area by 0800. If you are in the area, drop by and say hi in site #4. This CG is very nice. DW really likes it here and a big plus is we have friends that live in the area and it gives us a time to visit at life catches up and passes us by each longer year.

On the 27th We'll be at Mayport Naval Station CG, Jacksonville, FL.

In any of the places, if you are in the area, drop in and say Hi.

BigSkyBob · 04-20-2009, 09:29 PM

We have stayed at the FamCamp in Nellis AFB in Las Vegas and it's very nice. This was our third stay there. Also have stayed at the Navel Air Station in Fallon, NV which is fairly new and very nice. The RV park in White Sands Missile Range is kinda old and small but the setting is awesome. We were not too impressed with the park in Kirkland AFB, Albuquerque, NM as it's old and the sites are in bad shape. We like the security that is offered by restricting entrance to military and former military personnel plus the storage is cheap and secure.

Sammie · 04-20-2009, 09:49 PM

Question? Do you need to be retired from service in order to use the camping or will a copy of my DD214 be enough. I was in the Air Force for 4 years.

Sammie

Spikester · 04-21-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammie

Question? Do you need to be retired from service in order to use the camping or will a copy of my DD214 be enough. I was in the Air Force for 4 years

Here is the authorized user statement that appears with the majority of the Military Campgrounds "Active, National Guard, Reservists, Retired, 100% DAV, DoD civilians, guests.".

Spike

Sammie · 04-21-2009, 06:27 PM

I guess I'm outa luck!

Thanks Spike

ChiefJohn · 04-21-2009, 06:46 PM

We are avid "FamCampers" and try to use whenever possible -- sad to say, IMO, the worst FamCamp we have visited is our home-base, Scott AFB, IL.

Fred and Bonnie · 04-21-2009, 06:56 PM

We have stayed at Nellis' FamCamp on several occasions, great campground. Another gem is Camp San Louis Obispo, located on Hwy 1 half way in-between SLO and MorroBay along the CalifCentralCoast. The biggest down side is only 20 amp service and only 4 sites are FHU

Wayne M · 04-21-2009, 07:44 PM

Sammie,
There is hope!

Befriend one of the above mentioned requirement personnel and stay as a guest.

Stanbnv · 04-22-2009, 07:26 PM

Adm Baker in San Diego is pretty nice. Last time we stayed there we were backed right up to the golf course fence.

ItstheTrip · 04-23-2009, 11:10 AM

For all things military campground related: www.miltarycampgrounds.us

We've seen good ones, we've seen bad ones. Many are really not much of a bargain.

Whaler · 04-24-2009, 06:58 PM

ItstheTrip,do you ever look at the camp ground reviews at that web site,do you find them accurate?
I have only been to 2 camp grounds,New Jersey National Guard,and Fort Story,Va and you are rite about some not being a bargain.

Pubtym · 04-24-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whaler

ItstheTrip,do you ever look at the camp ground reviews at that web site,do you find them accurate?
I have only been to 2 camp grounds,New Jersey National Guard,and Fort Story,Va and you are rite about some not being a bargain.

It's all about funding...and use of your tax dollars by the Installation Commander and the Base Staff.

a. If the base has a lower mission priority than competing service bases...it's already two rungs down on pecking order for annual overall mission budget funds from Department of Defense.

b. On many installation...family (fam) camps funds compete with golf course funding on the base...golf courses are more politically correct..resultant...less funds for fam camp maintenance and development. Andrews AFB Fam Camp...terrible !!!..Andrews AFB Golf Course ...big time nice place...that's where the power player military brass and their civilian big time guests golf in the Washington D.C. area. Makes sense.?

c. Installations like Pensacola, Tampa, McDill...Nellis, the ones that are commonly known as "resort" areas...always get good fam camp funding support. Those installations have their own priority mission personnel who frequent the fam camps.....and the tourist military retirees that love to stay there while resorting.

GeorgiaGallaghers · 04-24-2009, 08:03 PM

BOb and I have stayed at Camp Pendelton, the Marine Corp campground that was AWESOME..Right on the beach!! There was a train that ran thru the camp periodically but it was not loud or annoying.. THE Restrooms were PRISTINE!! We stayed there a couple times and loved it! The Exchange wasn't too far from the beach...for supplies.

Pubtym · 04-24-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGallaghers

BOb and I have stayed at Camp Pendelton, the Marine Corp campground that was AWESOME..Right on the beach!! There was a train that ran thru the camp periodically but it was not loud or annoying.. THE Restrooms were PRISTINE!! We stayed there a couple times and loved it! The Exchange wasn't too far from the beach...for supplies.

Marine Installation priority there...combat training...very high priority= abundant Depertment of Defense funds available for troop entertainment-family relaxing=Fam camps.

Location: Resort area...beach scene....lots of retired military tourists and family guest opportunities = fam camp funds abundant..