Don’t Miss These Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds
Searching for the best Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds is difficult. Each place has its own amenities and personality. The nice thing about COE campgrounds is they are usually very clean and well-managed. There are over 450 Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds in 43 states; you can easily find them while searching RV LIFE Campgrounds.
Below are 5 of the most popular Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds. These COE campgrounds usually cost around $12-50 per campsite depending on the location and amenities.
1. Maumelle Park – Little Rock, Arkansas
Most Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds are located near water because the agency’s primary purpose is to protect waterways. The COE oversees the construction of dams, flood protection measures, locks, waterways, and canals throughout the United States. These are considered military and civil construction projects. During the Civil War, they built bridges, forts, and routes for the armies to travel. Now, they oversee hundreds of lake and river projects and recreational areas.
If you’re a history buff, check out Maumelle Park in Little Rock, Arkansas. Here you can learn about historical and engineering details on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.
Maumelle Park. Photo: Maumelle Park in Little Rock, Arkansas
2. Potters Creek Park – Canyon Lake, Texas
If you want a scenic campground in Texas (and who doesn’t?), check out Potters Creek Park in Canyon Lake. The water here is as blue and clear as in the Caribbean—something you don’t expect to find in Texas.
View from Potters Creek Park. Photo: RV LIFE Campgrounds user W & B
This COE campground welcomes you to the Fort Worth District in Central Texas. It is about 20 miles west of Corsicana and 35 miles east of Waco, Texas. They work on flood control and water supply to local cities, so this opens some great fishing spots.
Pecan Point Park is located on the north shore of Navarro Mills Lake and offers 35 campsites, 5 of which include water and electric hookups. Fishermen come for all over for the crappie, but the lake also has largemouth bass, channel cat, and yellow cat that are very popular. Try catches around the dam when the water is being released.
Great size lake area for all kinds of fishing – around the dam area too – (Photo from U.S. Army swf-wc)
4. Downstream Campground – Fort Peck, Montana
If you are a fossil hunter, plan a visit to Fort Peck, Montana. Here you can see unique displays at the Fort Peck Interpretative Center, which is located on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Just steps away, Downstream Campground offers 86 spacious sites, most with electric hookups.
Downstream Campground – Photo: RV LIFE Campgrounds user Caronair
5. Brooken Cove Recreation Area – Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma
Unlike other butterflies that can overwinter as larvae, pupae, or even as adults in some species, monarchs cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates, so they head south for the winter. Some fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home! They are also the only butterfly to make two-way migrations.
On the shores of Eufaula Lake, Brooken Cove Recreation Area is a great COE campground to visit and watch the migration of the monarch butterflies. Monarchs migrate through Oklahoma (and the southern plains) in spring and fall and reproduce in the state during these two time periods.
Next time you are looking for the best Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, ask yourself this question: which COE campground has a cool feature that I like to do? You might be surprised at what some of these campgrounds have to offer!
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Related articles:
- Army Corps of Engineers RV Campgrounds – RV LIFE
- 10 Scenic COE Campgrounds With Beautiful Water Views
Since 2019 Lucinda Belden has been a full-time RVer and travel writer specializing in topics such as living on the road, working while traveling, RVing with outdoor recreation toys, and discovering unique location experiences. She is also the Program Director for MyRVRadio, a non-stationary radio station for RVers broadcasting news, events, culture, expert advice, humor, and entertainment. As a skilled entrepreneur, promoter and travel industry consultant, she and her husband Will Belden organize national events for the outdoor industry, such as the Direction Wide Open RV & Motorcycle Rally. She draws daily inspiration from the full-time RV lifestyle, motorcycling and world travel expeditions.
I would add to this list,,
Kendall Campground at Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, KY. Near Jamestown,KY. Beautiful COE location .
Hi Tom, thanks for the bonus COE information! Love Kentucky and will have to check it out.
I have been semi RV’ing for 10 years and work on my trips. I only go as far as Indian Springs NV and HB state beach and the Azusa’s up in Burro Canyon. I love reading and watching what ya’all are doing. I know that someday I”ll be full-time.
Hi Timothy, thank you for sharing those additional sites to check out. I hope you get to full-time soon!
You mentioned in your COE, campgrounds post about the volunteer work but I did not find the link
One great feature about Maumelle campground in Little Rock is that there is one section with full hook-ups that is strictly for people who are receiving treatment for ongoing medical conditions at local Hospitals. All the hospitals are located very close to the campground, just a couple of interstate exits away. There is an application for the spaces. The staff is very friendly and helpful and the application process is very easy. I don’t know of any other Corp campgrounds that have that provision.
We have used the medical site for a few months. May use it again in near future when I will be hospitalized at the VA facility for upcoming surgery.
Great inside info Tanya – I know a lot of us can use medical info around hospital stays.
Great thanks for the tip. I use FAM Camps.
Glad there was new details for you Jerry and thanks for the tip.
Love Ives run in Tioga Pennsylvania
Thanks for giving us a new location Theresa!
Downstream campground in Montana has a wonderful museum in the interpretative center about the building of the dam which is one of the largest earthen dams.
Just stayed 3 days at Maumelle COE campground outside Little Rock. Of the 50 or so COE’s I’ve stayed at this campground was the dirtiest, worst condition and layout of the campgrounds I’ve been at. Maumelle may be very busy and popular but it’s a wreck as COE campgrounds exist! Bolding Mill Gainesville Georgia on Lake Lanier is like a country club and is my top choice!
Too bad some of our COE’s are overwhelmed with us campers who should be doing a better job with your nature areas. Thanks for the report Dan.