"Corps of Engineers" Camgrounds? What's that?

Sewer hookups are missing at many COE campgrounds, especially those on waterfront parks. In many cases, the low-lying land prohibits sewer lines and tanks. Also, many campsites flood regularly, which really messes up sewage systems. Many have limited systems with pumps to serve the bath houses, and maybe a close-by host site.

dspencer wrote:
Personally i have never stayed at a bad corp of engineers campground. That doesn't mean there isn't one but everyone i have stayed at is very nice and clean. I highly recommend them!

I would agree with this. We love COE campgrounds! The ones in my state are wooded and relatively private--you're not right up on each other. Lots of the sites are lake front. Bathhouses are clean. The only negative I can think of is a lot of them (maybe most of them) have no sewer hookups. But they have water & electric, and a dump station usually

The trains are a tradeoff when camping on the Mississippi River. There is no way to avoid them, and there are a lot of them. When you grow up on the river it becomes a part of your lifestyle and you really dont notice them as much. Every once in a while we will break down and take the last site just to go camping but it is always right next to the tracks and of course facing the tracks as well.

We have noticed this year after upgrading to the creek that we are able to sleep a lot better. It is alot quieter than the old Hornet was.

we have only stayed at 0ne on the mississppi river by Galena Illinois train track, clean well kept train tracks peacefully we could even watch oh wait train boat traffic oops train sorry the fishing was oh sorry another freight train really good.... Have i mentioned the freight trains going by every 15 oops duck train minutes 24/7 thompson's landing.

Don't get started on COE management. Could go on for days, and is a great way to get the thread deleted. In most cases, the campgrounds are really great, and a great value. Depends on how hard the local VOLUNTEERS work, and their dedication to keeping a good campground. Rangers all have locked handcuffs on their hands and feet.

Great campgrounds. Maybe their management team should run the whole government!

We love the COE campgrounds. They are very reasonable in price since they are not privately owned. Most sites are concrete pads, and level. The bathrooms, and showers are always clean. My only complaint is that the rangers are usually a bunch of kids with no spine to tell people to pick up their dog crap

It means you are going to stay in a beautiful campground in a fantastic location. They are the best out there in my opinion

I thought that was such a deal I got one for the wife and myself just in case one of us wanted to camp and the otherperson wasn't available

The advantage to this is that up to eight people get in with the discount per card no matter what thier age is.
The CORPS parks are nice and if you know when you will arrive you can book a specific site.Usually the best sites are reservable and a large block of sites are allways 1st come 1st serve.As was said use www.recreation.gov to find a camp and from there you can see all the spots.

...chiming in for giggles :)

Army Corp of Engineers camps are among the best federally managed around!
Some have hook-ups...