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tenspeedret360's avatar
tenspeedret360
Explorer
Apr 21, 2018

Military campgrounds and ID

Good Morning, everybody, and thank you for your service. I have a quick question, and did a few searches, with negative results. A dear friend is returning from the mideast after her difficult service there. I know it would very much make her day if I took her out for a few weeks in the rv and just travelled around this great country. My question is, not to want to get anything I've not earned, but I assume she'd be eligible to stay at military campgrounds. Is that true, or would the rv have to be in her name, as compared to just having her with me as a passenger. I simply don't want to step on tows, and feel I'm getting something someone else earned.

Thank you, and again, thank you all for your service. None of us would be able to enjoy this beautiful country if it hadn't been for your sacrifices.

Kevin
NYPD (ret)
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Apr 22, 2018
    The above discussion tells me one thing for sure ... call ahead if you have any questions about eligibility or availability, particularly if it's important timing for you or your family regardless of what you believe about the potential for camping at an MCG.

    When we're traveling, Genie always pops up the site and calls a day or so ahead just to make sure we haven't hit in the middle of some special event. Then, we can make alternate plans ... doesn't happen often, but once is enough. :)
  • jerryjay11's avatar
    jerryjay11
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2018
    There is an ALLSTAYS app you can add to your cell to find military campgrounds and their eligibility for stays. You can also at home use the site to do the same. I've used it while crossing the U.S. a couple times.

    Also any NG/Reserve base would let you know before hand that a UTA weekend is coming up thus avoiding being bumped from those bases.

    I didn't think this was true, but we discovered that at some active base CG's there are, at times, some permanent or extended stay military members who begin to think they have more rights than those of us that just stay for a few days. Just need to shrug your shoulder and enjoy your stay in spit of them. Just remember they are required to follow the same rules as you are.

    Some CG's have host campers (funding available) that ensure the rules are observed as well as providing any help you need while there. Overall we enjoyed our stays at military base campgrounds and enjoy the security, and conveniences of an exchange, commissary, package store, etc.
  • Wadcutter's avatar
    Wadcutter
    Nomad
    Apr 22, 2018
    monkey44 wrote:

    That one is news to me - I thought NG have to be on the active weekend, or the training weeks program, unless activated for a crisis.
    Welcome, of course ... just new info. :)
    Most MCGs are great - and all the comforts of a commissary and PX/BX if you need it.

    NG and Res have been allowed at military campgrounds for quite a few years, at least 25 yrs. They have BX and MWR authority regardless if on orders or not. DOD Instruction 1015.10, Enclosure 3.2.1
    There are some campgrounds on NG training sites that are just for those members who are there on training status. Instead of being put up in billeting they have an area where those there doing training can park a camper.
    The Ft McCoy NG training site near Sparta WI is open to anyone including those who have never been in the military. It's located on post but anyone from the public can use it. They don't even need a military sponsor.
  • PawPaw_n_Gram's avatar
    PawPaw_n_Gram
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2018
    Re: National Guard.

    Some National Guard bases campgrounds are only available for National Guard members. One near Austin, TX is that way.

    When we inquired about staying at an Oregon NG base near the mouth of the Columbia River we were told trying to stay there on a drill weekend was a bad idea because we might be bumped by drilling NG members. Heard the same thing at NG bases in other states.

    While campgrounds at almost all US military bases are run by recreation departments, many NG base campgrounds are built and maintained with state funds for the benefit of drill weekend or annual training members of the guard.

    Which is fine with me.

    Larry does a fantastic job with the military campgrounds web site. Just read the details about eligibility. And remember that the individual base commander has a lot of decision authority over campgrounds on his/ her base.

    We’ve enjoyed staying on bases or detached recreational areas like Fourth Cliff near Boston or Canyon Lake near San Antonio over the years.

    USN-Ret Senior Chief.
  • Gonzo42's avatar
    Gonzo42
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2018
    There is a campground near San Onofre State Beach available only to active duty with ID.
  • CALandLIN's avatar
    CALandLIN
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2018
    CALandLIN wrote:
    Wadcutter wrote:
    monkey44 wrote:
    Basically, camping at military campgrounds is restricted to Active Duty, Retired military, and 100% disabled veterans. Any one that fits in those categories can access the campgrounds and bring guests.

    And National Guard and Reserves. Doesn't matter if they are on active duty or not.
    Usually DOD employees but not always.


    That's all up to the base commander. There are no standardized rules or regulations for anyone other than active duty, retirees and 100% disabled vets.
  • CALandLIN's avatar
    CALandLIN
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2018
    Wadcutter wrote:
    monkey44 wrote:
    Basically, camping at military campgrounds is restricted to Active Duty, Retired military, and 100% disabled veterans. Any one that fits in those categories can access the campgrounds and bring guests.

    And National Guard and Reserves. Doesn't matter if they are on active duty or not.
    Usually DOD employees but not always.


    That's all up to the base commander. There are no standardized rules or regulations for anyone other than active duty, retirees and 100% disabled vets.
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Apr 22, 2018
    Wadcutter wrote:
    monkey44 wrote:
    Basically, camping at military campgrounds is restricted to Active Duty, Retired military, and 100% disabled veterans. Any one that fits in those categories can access the campgrounds and bring guests.

    And National Guard and Reserves. Doesn't matter if they are on active duty or not.
    Usually DOD employees but not always.


    That one is news to me - I thought NG have to be on the active weekend, or the training weeks program, unless activated for a crisis.

    Welcome, of course ... just new info. :)

    Most MCGs are great - and all the comforts of a commissary and PX/BX if you need it.
  • Wadcutter's avatar
    Wadcutter
    Nomad
    Apr 22, 2018
    monkey44 wrote:
    Basically, camping at military campgrounds is restricted to Active Duty, Retired military, and 100% disabled veterans. Any one that fits in those categories can access the campgrounds and bring guests.

    And National Guard and Reserves. Doesn't matter if they are on active duty or not.
    Usually DOD employees but not always.

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