Military MWR Campgrounds

The couple I have been too were great places. I am retired DOD Civil Service and get the same privileges...

Being a retired DOD with 42 years combined AF and Civil Service time would probably would have to relinquish my stay to a active military person at those places however... Retired Active Military probably has stay rights over DOD folks as well...

I know in my work travel days always associated with us DOD types staying at government bases etc... I got moved out of Sheppard AFB TX base facilities one night around 2AM one night by an active duty Air Force type person. After that happened I would never stay at the Government bases anymore... Kind hard to find a hotel room after 2AM hehe... I slept in my truck that night...

I would find the sites you like and use the heck out of them haha...

Roy Ken

Like anything else in life, some are better than others but all feel safe and are a good value in our books. We frequent them when we can and thoroughly enjoy the privileges of using all the amenities contained on base. Here is a website that is privately run but has an exceptional wealth of info which is not currently available from government sources.

We frequently stay at Famcamps when they are in the area we want to be in. They are generally cheaper than private parks. Some are great, some not so great. Use the website to check reviews. Also, some take reservations and some don't so be aware of that. I try to stock up on groceries at the commissary while on the base. Generally, the people are great.

LittleRed586 wrote:
How are the facilities at military campgrounds?

I haven't been to too many MWR campgrounds, but I was at Ft. McCoy, WI, for a 2-week course, and opted to take my TT there in lieu of the BOQ. It turned out to be a great campground with wonderful facilities! And I saved the gov't money, as it was much cheaper than the BOQ when it came time for my expense report.

I look forward to trying other MWR facilities if my travels take me there. Headed to Hale Koa in a few weeks!

We have stayed at a couple of military campgrounds that we will not return to. Most of them are satisfactory. Some are incredibly had to get into because of "homesteaders". The prices are generally reasonable. We do not go out of our travels to find them but if we are in the area and a military campground is nearby, we stay. Check out Passport America for another option for discounted camping. Usually pays for itself on the first stay. There are restrictions though.

I just checked out Passport America and I am VERY impressed. I spend more on magazine subscriptions per year than the price of the membership. Some of these campgrounds are really impressive!

Retired 1984 and have had a MH or TT most of the time since and have stayed at lots of MWR campgrounds in all parts of the US. Most of them are as good or better than most commercial operations in my opinion and have the benefit of base facilities. There are also many military rec areas that are in prime locations and are really reasonably priced.We use this site http://www.militarycampgrounds.us/ and the book you can get at the BX on military campgrounds. Really feel safe when camping on base. There are a few that have almost permanent residents and don't want short timers around but these are the exceptions.

Some are great and some are so so.....Macdill in Tampa Fl is quite nice but very busy most of the time. Camp Blanding near Jacksonville, fl has a great campground and quiet too. On a big lake and very scenic.

Make sure you check out state and federal parks. They usually don't have the amenities of private parks, but are cheaper too. And being military disabled you may qualify for discounts.

The couple I have been too were great places. I am retired DOD Civil Service and get the same privileges...

I was under the impression most didn't accept DOD retires but it was on a site by site basis. Other question is what type of ID do you need or is it just a copy of your retirement papers?

Ask because I'll be DOD retiree in 172 weeks and would like to take advantage of FamCamps if one is in the area of my stay.

A

Most are quite good, a few are bad.

Just as MWR facilities vary from base to base, campgrounds do also.

They are a part of our money saving strategy. We also use Passport America, Escapees, federal Senior Pass (a medical retirement might qualify for the federal Access Pass) and we belong to the Thousand Trails camping club.

We have never paid over $42.24 per night - that was Fort Lauderdale at a Broward County Park.

Most years we average about $18 per night. We don't have sewer hookups sbout 1/2 of the time but do have 50 amp power most of the time.

Re: Passport America- it is a program that I love, but we only stay at their parks for a night or two most of the time. The program is designed for travelers, not for destination stays. Don't count on it providing most of your stop locations.

Map out some trips you might take and see how the various discount options might apply.