Military Campgrounds (Lackland, Tinker, Corpus Christy)

[esox07]

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-famcamp
http://www.militarycampgrounds.us/oklahoma/tinker-afb-famcamp
http://www.militarycampgrounds.us/texas/shields-park-nas-recreation-area

Thanks.

[Kit_Carson]

We have been to Mayport NAS in Jacksonville, Fla. a couple of times. It is a very nice campground. Free ice, free laundry facilities, always something going on in the clubhouse. If you are ever in the area give it a try. I would like to go back.

[W4RLR]

RoyB wrote:
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

I am curious as to how you can still have a CAC card and be retired. When I retired, I had to surrender my CAC card for a DD2AF Uniformed Services Retired Card.

As for Lackland, little shade, no full hookups (just water, electric and a dump station) but you are close to the club and to the exchange and commissary. My wife and I stayed there a couple of years ago and found it clean and well operated. They did allow for longer stays but did rotate people out after a certain time to discourage homesteading.

Enjoy.

[esox07]

Mikey:
Wow, that would be great. While you are there, tell me which sites are the best. Also, let me know how full it is right now.
Much appreciated. Thanks.
Bruce

[mikensallyt]

esox07 wrote:
My plans and itinerary are laid out right now, but with a wife involved, I know they can change at any point so I don't want to make a reservation if I don't have to and if I do, I want to wait to the last minute to do so. I will be calling all three parks today to check on how availability is looking for that time frame.
Thanks.

I can do you a great favor .... since I will be close by NAS Corpus Christi tomorrow (Jul 16), I can drive up there and take some pictures of the CG and post them here with any info. No problem at all since its in the general direction of the beaches I go to. /Mikey

[1995brave]

We have used Shields Park all the way back to the 90's when they were grass sites with water and electric only. Had one central dump station(still there) and two bathrooms, no showers, you were allowed to use the Gym showers. They now have two locations one short stay and the other extended(Winter Texans). Still a beautiful, clean park.

[jnharley]

We frequently stay in military campgrounds when they are in the area of our travel and fit our criteria. The prices are usually better than commercial and other govt campgrounds. We like the security and the base amenities available to us. We are currently in a military campground in MS. FT Sam is a great campground to stay at in San Antonio.

[Roy_Lynne]

FamCamps are just like regular RV campgrounds. Some are great, some good, some average and some just horrid. The one thing is the price is generally really great. Our up and coming bucket list trip has a number of them circled. Our stops there will be to do laundry, restock the pantry, and chill out.

[esox07]

My plans and itinerary are laid out right now, but with a wife involved, I know they can change at any point so I don't want to make a reservation if I don't have to and if I do, I want to wait to the last minute to do so. I will be calling all three parks today to check on how availability is looking for that time frame.
Thanks.

[mikensallyt]

Corpus Christi is a great Navy air base and their campgrounds are really clean. Its real close to the ocean/bay (whatever). Just call in advance to reserve. Plus NAS Corpus is very close to Padre Island with a nice sea shore.

[esox07]

wxtoad:
Very nice way to chronicle your travels. Great information for others as well.
Thanks.

[esox07]

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.

[wxtoad]

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.

[Tom_Trostel]

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.

[trb46]

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.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

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.