I am taking a trip to Texas to visit relatives in a couple weeks. I will be staying overnight at the Oklahoma City, Tinker AFB overnight on the way. Then at the Lackland, AFB campground in San Antonio, TX for a few nights and then will be driving to Corpus Christy Naval Air Station, TX to stay at their campground (Sheilds Park) for a couple nights. I have never stayed at a military campground before and was wondering if anyone had any experience with either of these campgrounds or military campgrounds in general. I am towing a 19' TT and have never had FULL hookups which it seems these do for the most part. The prices seem really good too. The one drawback I see is that the sites are relatively close together which I guess is fine since we will be spending most of our time out with the relatives. I am just looking for some opinion or advice regarding the campgrounds specifically or militarty base campgrounds in general.http://www.militarycampgrounds.us/texas/lackland-afb-famcamphttp://www.militarycampgrounds.us/oklahoma/tinker-afb-famcamphttp://www.militarycampgrounds.us/texas/shields-park-nas-recreation-areaThanks.

Many Fam-camps have not been cleaned up. Many allow extended stay for military members on orders to the base.We have stayed at the true reason for Fam-Camps that follow the DOD direction to limit stay to 13 days.

we have not stayed at the three campgrounds in your post but have stayed at about a dozen other military campgrounds. Not all military campgrounds are created equal. Some are very nice resorts and some are beautifully rustic and still others have not been very nice at all. However, we always feel very safe when staying on a military base. The website you listed in your post really is the best source for reviews on military campgrounds.

I agree they are not in the best of shape... Some are very nice more based on where they are. Several are connected with nice lakes and such...The ACTIVE DUTY military has priority over any stay. It is very rare but some DOD Civilians, retired civilians, or other approved non active duty types have had to leave to make room for the active military. It is very rare however but can happen...The same goes with the MILITARY Hotels/BOQs etc...The Lake Martin Recreation Area, for Maxwell AFB, AL. is an excellent place to stay. Sheppard AFB Recreation Annex at Lake Texoma in North Texas is another great place.I guess anyone with a current CAC card can gain access to these type of places....I am a DOD Retired Civilian and got my CAC card through the NAVAL BASE I retired from. When I visit these places I always have the utmost respect for the active military there. It is actually their Recreation areas...Roy Ken

You should be OK, Watch your Ps & Qs getting on and off base. Tinker FC is on the south side of the base away from most shopping and restaurants. Hopefully, you are traveling in the Fall because it will be hot if you're traveling now.

We have not been to the places you mentioned. But wanted you to know that many have a "truck gate" that you have to be inspected first prior to entry. And the other gates can be an obstacle course, and that's on purpose. Makes traffic slow down or impossible to enter/leave base when they need to lock it down.Best to call ahead or look up to see what gate to use prior to getting there. And if they say to are filled up be sure to ask about "over flow" or dry camping. Most have room for a overnight or two but spots might be taken up. Some parks good and others not worth stopping. After "qualifying" for old folks pass, we don't Fam Camps as much as we used to. Like anything else some are great and others are not do great (or down right poor looking), depends on who runs them. (Alert, Alert...) if anything is broken I bet it will be the change machine in the laundry room. Travel with your own quarters!

Military Campgrounds (Lackland, Tinker, Corpus Christy)

enblethen
Nomad
Jul 15, 2015
Many Fam-camps have not been cleaned up. Many allow extended stay for military members on orders to the base.
We have stayed at the true reason for Fam-Camps that follow the DOD direction to limit stay to 13 days.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015
we have not stayed at the three campgrounds in your post but have stayed at about a dozen other military campgrounds. Not all military campgrounds are created equal. Some are very nice resorts and some are beautifully rustic and still others have not been very nice at all. However, we always feel very safe when staying on a military base. The website you listed in your post really is the best source for reviews on military campgrounds.
RoyB
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2015
I agree they are not in the best of shape... Some are very nice more based on where they are. Several are connected with nice lakes and such...

The ACTIVE DUTY military has priority over any stay. It is very rare but some DOD Civilians, retired civilians, or other approved non active duty types have had to leave to make room for the active military. It is very rare however but can happen...

The same goes with the MILITARY Hotels/BOQs etc...

The Lake Martin Recreation Area, for Maxwell AFB, AL. is an excellent place to stay. Sheppard AFB Recreation Annex at Lake Texoma in North Texas is another great place.

I guess anyone with a current CAC card can gain access to these type of places....

I am a DOD Retired Civilian and got my CAC card through the NAVAL BASE I retired from. When I visit these places I always have the utmost respect for the active military there. It is actually their Recreation areas...

Roy Ken
LowRyter
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015
You should be OK, Watch your Ps & Qs getting on and off base. Tinker FC is on the south side of the base away from most shopping and restaurants. Hopefully, you are traveling in the Fall because it will be hot if you're traveling now.
path1
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015
We have not been to the places you mentioned. But wanted you to know that many have a "truck gate" that you have to be inspected first prior to entry. And the other gates can be an obstacle course, and that's on purpose. Makes traffic slow down or impossible to enter/leave base when they need to lock it down.

Best to call ahead or look up to see what gate to use prior to getting there. And if they say to are filled up be sure to ask about "over flow" or dry camping. Most have room for a overnight or two but spots might be taken up.

Some parks good and others not worth stopping. After "qualifying" for old folks pass, we don't Fam Camps as much as we used to. Like anything else some are great and others are not do great (or down right poor looking), depends on who runs them.

(Alert, Alert...) if anything is broken I bet it will be the change machine in the laundry room. Travel with your own quarters!
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015
There are reviews on www.militarycampgrounds.us for each campground you listed.(scroll to bottom) There are also photos. Some reviews are also on www.rvparkreviews.com
We always stay at military campgrounds if there is one in the area. They are not all the same so research is necessary. The prices are usually cheaper. Some have weekly and monthly rates.

We have stayed at Tinker AFB many times. The sites are a bit tight but once you get settled you should be fine. Nice paved sites, walking trail around small pond. Most military campgrounds have bath houses with showers and some have coin laundries.
Be sure to follow the rules at military campgrounds. Some hosts enforce them more than others. Tinker is one that does. The loop is one way. Follow the signs. Some take reservations and some don't. I would call for availability if you don't have reservations as some are booked up.
trb46
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015
Have only stayed in one FamCamp (Fort Knox), and it was super clean and roomy. Bathrooms and laundromat were excellent. As others have mentioned, active duty have first priority.
Tom_Trostel
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015
Don't forget that Fort Sam Houston also has a campgrounds in San Antonio. Lackland AFB is on the west side of town and Ft. Sam is on the northeast side.
wxtoad
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015
We have stayed at quite a few military FAMCAMPS in our travels and generally enjoy them. Here are some pictures and comments of some in Texas that might interest you:

Shields Park at Corpus Christi

Lackland AFB

Fort Sam Houston

Kingsville NAS

Have a great trip!
Ted H.
esox07
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015
Tom Trostel wrote:
Don't forget that Fort Sam Houston also has a campgrounds in San Antonio. Lackland AFB is on the west side of town and Ft. Sam is on the northeast side.

The relatives we are visiting live on the west side. So Lackland is the most convenient.