Ten Awesome Campgrounds for Military Veteran RVers
Military RV parks are just what you would think. They are generally open to military retirees or their dependents. Or, if you are an active duty service member or spouse. National Guard or Reservists are welcome, or their minor dependents. Disabled veterans, too. Surviving family members of service members killed in action also qualify.
Some parks allow retired Defense Department civilian workers or guests of ID cardholders. The base commander sets the rules at each park.
Some military RV parks allow civilians. If the park is physically located on the base, you will need a military ID or be escorted by someone who has one.
“My husband and I have been to a few of these parks and they are great,” said Kelly Fitzwater, Navy wife of a flight student. “A lot of the people that utilize the parks are retired military and they love coming back, meeting other retired military and enjoying the base life again. We loved hearing the stories and making new friends too.”
Military FamCamps consideration:
- Does the campground have full hookups, trash disposal, or other amenities?
- Arrival and departure times
- Wildlife considerations
- Access to commissaries
- Seasonal considerations regarding weather
Where to Find the Best military RV parks
1. FamCamp at MacDill Air Force Base
FamCamp at MacDill AFB is so popular reservations need to be made at least one year in advance. This RV park is loved because it’s so close to the Gulf Coast. Golf courses and many family-friendly, outdoor activities are there too.
Some 359 sites include everything you might want. From electric and water to cable TV and phone service, they have it all. There are also partial hookup sites, a designated tent camping area, and 40 dry campsites.
2. Eagle Hammock RV Park
Located at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia, Eagle Hammock RV Park wins awards for being the best military campground on the East Coast. It also has an excellent 9.5 average rating on RV LIFE Campgrounds.
The park is located around a wooded 220-acre lake. It’s a stunning spot in the heart of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. Camp close to historic downtown Saint Marys and Cumberland Island National Seashore. You get easy access to I-95 for day trips to Georgia’s Golden Isles and Savannah. Or head south to Florida to visit Jacksonville and St. Augustine.
Campers enjoy the park’s bowling center, racquetball, basketball and tennis courts. Biodiesel is available at an on-base gas station.
3. Pelican Roost RV Park
Another park in high demand is Pelican Roost RV Park, located at the Mayport Naval Station. The park overlooks the jetties along the St. Johns River. The 47 sites park offers planned activities and use of the Roost clubhouse services.
Photo courtesy of Pelican Roost RV Park
This scenic park welcomes recreational vehicles as well as primitive and tent campers, 47 additional full-service sites (50 amp only) are also available at Osprey Cove.
4. Davis Monthan AFB FamCamp
The Davis Monthan AFB FamCamp is located at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Operating year-round, the facility consists of 197 spaces with full hookups, modern restrooms, laundry facilities, a pet wash station, lobby, and office. The park is open to all military, retired military, and DOD civilians with base access.
Photo courtesy of Davis Monthan AFB FamCamp
5. Fort Sam Houston RV Park
Fort Sam Houston RV Park is at the Joint Base San Antonio near the heart of the city. It’s close to cultural activities, professional sports venues, and outdoor adventures.
Fort Sam Houston RV Park – via RV LIFE Campgrounds
The 74 full hookup sites feature electric, concrete pads, grills, and more. Enjoy a playground, golf course, equestrian area, fitness center, pharmacy, car wash, hospital, a tent area, RV storage, propane, and more.
6. Ellsworth AFB FamCamp
Ellsworth AFB FamCamp is the perfect stop for anyone visiting Mount Rushmore or Badlands National Park. The park has 51 full hook-up sites. Enjoy using the park’s auto hobby shop, arts and crafts area, recreation equipment rental, pool, and movie theater.
Ellsworth AFB FamCamp. Photo via RV LIFE Campgrounds
7. Patterson AFB Bass Lake FamCamp
This FamCamp is a 54-site RV camping area near Bass Lake in Dayton, Ohio. The military campground has fun activities for families, like rental kayaks, canoes, and aqua trikes.
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base FamCamp. Photo via RV LIFE Campgrounds
Considered one of the top military family campgrounds, Wright-Patterson AFB Bass Lake FamCamp is quiet and secluded. You get lots of amenities, too. Choose from partial or full hookups along with tent and dry camping.
8. Peregrine Pines FamCamp
Peregrine Pines is located in Colorado Springs at the USAF Academy. The campground is surrounded by nature and includes a visitor center, chapel, hospital, playground, and museum. Choose from more than 100 RV sites and 10 tent spaces.
Peregrine Pines FamCamp – via RV LIFE Campgrounds
9. Hill AFB FamCamp
Located in Ogden, Utah, Hill AFB FamCamp is near mountains and close to water sports and snow sport activities. Enjoy ranges for shooting trap, skeet, sporting clays, and archery. The campground has 28 RV sites and six sites for tent camping.
Hill AFB FamCamp – via RV LIFE Campgrounds
10. Desert Eagle RV Park
Desert Eagle RV Park is located just north of Las Vegas at Nellis Air Force Base. The park is open year-round for Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retired Military, 0-100% DAV, Purple Heart Recipients, Former POW, Veteran Caregivers, and DoD Civilians.
Desert Eagle RV Park. Photo via RV LIFE Campgrounds
Amenities include full hookups, laundry, showers, a playground, picnic area, fitness center, and access to several more facilities. Enjoy a game/TV room, pharmacy, movie theater, museum, clinic and hospital, post office, library, golf, and more.
Get military RV park reviews and tips
Each branch of the military has a Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program. The program supports military members and their families at home and overseas. Many campgrounds require reservations, but some operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Some are seasonal and others have year-round access. Calling ahead is the best way to know the rules of a particular park.
You can find military FamCamps at the Military Campgrounds website. Search for FamCamps on RV LIFE Campgrounds or when planning your route on RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
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Terri and her husband, Todd, are full time RVers and work campers. They have been living full time in their RV for nearly three years with their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Newton, and their Mini Aussie puppy Remi. They are currently wintering in Arizona with plans to continue their travels next summer. Writing is Terri’s passion but she also loves hiking, kayaking and anything she can do outside.
You didn’t mention one important thing, the COST. I am a 90% service connected disabled Vietnam Vet and have found the cost to be no great bargain. Privatization strikes again.
Don’t know what you mean about “privatization”. These military campgrounds are run by the respective Service’s Morale, Welfare and Recreational (MWR), Branches. They are all Non-Appropriated Fund activities and must generate their own funds to operate. We’ve used quite a few USAF, ARMY & NAVY campgrounds and found them on the average to be 20% cheaper than comparable private parks, plus no taxes or occupation fees.
Been to all of them and the best winter camp is Sigsbee down in Key West. Open to retirees, DoD retirees and veterans with a valid “Service Connected” VA health card.
NOT Second Amendment Rights friendly. How ironic……and sad….. that the warriors, having signed a blank check “up to and including their very lives”, dedicated to protecting all of our freedoms and serving on these bases are rendered defenseless, as well as any visitors. Will visit these parks as a victim in waiting status…..NOT!!!!
StLPro2A…..Are you a veteran?
no military facility allows personal firearms, and never have, most facilities do have armories, where they will store your weapons while you stay. Has nothing to do with 2A, it is DOD policy, and has been since the 70’s that I know of. As with everything, there are exceptions, but usually require a preapproved permit (hunting, shooting events, etc).
Something tells me that you have never served in the military. The DOD and all of its subordinate agencies are the most anal when it comes to weapons controls.
Some installations allow a limited amount personal weapons and ammunition to be stored in military family housing. Everything else must be stored in the armory. No exceptions. Most are so strict that when you draw your weapons from the armory you must proceed directly to the nearest gate and exit the installation. No stopping at the BX/PX/NEX, commissary, shopette, class VI, or even the gas station.
In 40 years of criss-crossing the United States we have never carried any weapons. State laws on firearms are all over the chart and you can become a felon merely by crossing state lines. Not once have we ever wished that we had a gun available.
Finally, you are probably safer in a military famcamp than anywhere else. Random criminals simply don’t bother trying to get on base with much softer targets all around. The only criminal activity that I’ve ever observed was drug abuse and domestic violence.
I’m not sure if I can qualify for this Military camp ground group.
I am honorably discharged from the USArmy, have a VA ID. Receive disability monthly payments. Do I qualify for the Military campgrounds?
This article makes me realize what the military campgrounds could be in the Virginia Beach area. You cannot even get a reservation to Oceana, Dam Neck or Little Creek because they have so many people that just live there. These campgrounds are marketed as a “Navy Getaway” but they are nothing more than trailer parks. Imagine my surprise when I was sitting behind a school bus watching a group of 5 or 6 kids get off and make their way inside the campground. And these “residents” are now complaining that the monthly fee went from $500/month to $750/month, which includes rent, water, sewer, electric and cable. The entire MWR campground system needs to have a policy that is enforced of no more than 30 days a year at any particular campground. And that should include the camp host.
Anyone with even a zero percent VA rating is eligible to go on most bases and use most campgrounds. Keep in mind each base has it’s own rules. On your VA ID card just below your mug shot it needs to say ‘Service Connected’.
There was no mention of California military campgrounds. Let me just say they are SPECTACULAR!
These campgrounds are for MILITARY.
They are not for those who have NOT served.
(….neither is the Bx/PX, commissary, or other on base services…the campground should NOT be open to them )
Do you qualify with 17 yrs Oregon National Guard. No Active duty
With honorable discharge
Do you qualify with 17 years OR National Guard, No active duty
With honorable discharge
The Fort Sam Houston is awful! The spaces need a lot of TLC. Also the Lackland AFB lot doesn’t even have someone working at the check in. Not to mention every lot is “taken” but no RV is in the spot.
I am a five year US Army veteran. I am not retired, I am not active, I am not disabled and I did not see combat, but I was drafted, re-upped for three more years and gave five years of my life to this country.
I’m tired of being ignored. There is no mention of regular active duty veterans in this article. I was on a flight recently and the pilot said to let the active duty military off first and I watch pimple faced kids from basic get off ahead of combat veterans. Let’s start giving all veterans equal appreciation, if only just for the TIME we gave up.
I guess as a retired military person I feel famcamps are for military DOD retired etc. I don’t feel it’s right for general public who have not served the government in some way to have access.
Yes if you have a service connected disability you qualify. You do need to check in with base security for proper credentials, which I find to differ from one location to another.
Mr. Prendergas
Find the campground you wish to stay at then call to ask if you qualify. But you must be 100% DAV. For the most part. Good luck Sir
I’ve been to most of these and one of my favorites is Blue Angel RV Park near Pensacola. Has two sections, one full hook-ups and paved, the other electric and in the woods. Park has boat and sailboat rentals.
Militarycampgrounds.us is an awesome website listing all the Military CGs along with (for each): eligibility; costs; reservation policy and POCs; weapons rules; what gate to use and directions; reviews; and more. Great article here. The websites addresses the questions asked here and covers all the military campgrounds.