Guide to Military Campgrounds
Are you a currently serving, veteran, and/or retired military? Then military campgrounds make the RV lifestyle even easier for you!
Military bases offer much more than most people realize, even those who have lived on many during their years of service.
Let's narrow it down to the top 6 benefits of military campgrounds – really, military life period!
1. Security
The first one seems easy with gates and guards being common base appearances.
Security on military establishments is hard to beat! But don't imagine barbed wire and parking lots only.
Many military campgrounds, often called FamCamps, offer as many amenities as the fancy civilian ones with the extra bonus of safety and security.
For those traveling with firearms, a downfall of this tight security is that you may have to check in your weapons during your stay on base. Check ahead with the campground and base website and ask again when arriving at the base gate.
But who is privy to such security and privileges? Most military campgrounds are accessible to those with base access: active duty, reservists, retired, and 100% disabled veterans and their dependents.
Sometimes, DOD civilians and contractors are able to stay as well, depending on the base and their current status.
However, each base and RV park addresses each group separately by when they can book their camping trip. Usually, active duty members are given the longest reservation period, such as 6 months in advance.
Retired veterans often have a shorter booking period of 60-90 days out.
Many FamCamps are so popular that no one can reserve more than 60 days out.
Since each park and base is different, plan ahead, read the “Authorized User” guidelines, often found on park/recreation websites, and always try calling the facility to verify details.
2. Military RV parks also save you money!
People assume the RV lifestyle is relatively cheap until they truly research or start camping.
Staying at a military campground will save you sometimes more than 60% when compared to civilian RV parks.
The average FamCamp runs $25-$35 per night, again with Full Hook Ups and other great amenities. Be careful to research each military RV park for rates based on your military status.
Active duty service members will pay less than retired veterans, while civilians with base access will pay the most.
Some FamCamps, such as Peregrine Pines FamCamp in CO, change the nightly rates based on your RV's length so that can further affect your budget.
Military campgrounds also allow monthly, even 90-day stays, at varying locations for excellent rates.
3. Rentals, Rides, and Recreation
Want to save even more money? Then remember rentals, rides, and recreation!
Most military bases have an Outdoor Recreation office/department. This resource might also be called ITT–Information, Ticket, and Travel.
Websites and Facebook links may include the base name followed by ITT, while others stick to using outdoor recreation such as JB Charleston Outdoor Rec center.
Camping reservations at this beautiful Charleston, SC, hub can also be made through that website.
At Outdoor Recreation Centers, you can find discounted tickets to local attractions and excursions.
While camping at Desert Eagle RV Park, check out sky-diving and rock climbing trips near Las Vegas through Nellis AFB Outdoor Recreation.
These centers may also offer discounted tickets to non-local tourist destinations such as Disneyworld and Universal Studios to help you plan and save on your future camping adventures.
Beyond great ticket deals, Outdoor Rec, and/or FamCamps directly, may provide kayak, boat, and many other water sport equipment rentals.
While camping right on Onslow Beach at Camp LeJeune Marine Corps Base, venture to their marina, rent a deck boat for the day and enjoy the fabulous intercoastal waterway.
You can even rent an RV from many Outdoor Recreation Centers and head to any amazing Fam Camp!
4. Discounted Groceries and Gas
But don't stop there with saving dough because the best camping experience requires great food to eat and gas to get you there!
Shop at the base commissary for majorly discounted groceries. Paying zero sales tax alone will save you more than shopping in town as many popular travel spots have higher taxes.
Buy gas and snacks before leaving the base at the shoppette or “C-store” to continue saving. More money means more travel!
5. Location, Location, Location!
Military RV parks offer location, location, location! FamCamps can be found on every ocean coast, many lakes and rivers, and close to some of the most beautiful attractions our country has to offer.
With base access, camping can be on the quiet bayside like in San Diego at Fiddler's Cove or in the popular Florida Keys at Sigsbee Campground.
If you want to see big cities such as Boston or San Antonio, check out Fourth Cliff Recreation in MA or the Fam Camp at Lackland AFB, TX.
What if you like less-popular, more unique travel destinations?
The military still has you covered! You can camp in the desert at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico or right in the middle of the USA at Offutt AFB Base Lake FamCamp.
Bases may also offer money-saving transportation opportunities to popular sites such as catching the subway at VA's Fort Belvoir Campground to visit DC for the day (Transportation & Mass Transit :: FORT BELVOIR (army.mil).
6. Community
Lastly, while the RV lifestyle alone provides a great sense of community during your travels, the military life heightens that to a closer-knit community and camaraderie among service members, past and present.
Your campsite neighbors will always have something in common with you at a FamCamp! Talking about your military branches, duty stations, and tours brings together campers from all over and can lead to lifelong friendships.
These conversations may even provide better travel tips than these!
We hope your military experience does not end with only an honorable discharge but, instead, continues on in combination with the RV lifestyle for many years of travel and leisure!
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Having served 3 times in a European military and also twice in the UN forces I would like the US military campgrounds be open to those who now ,like me, are US citizens. It should be noted that the campgrounds are not open to US citizens who through our taxes are paying for the military and its campgrounds. We need a change.
The FamCamps, and all of the services on base, are a benefit to those who have served. There are plenty of other places for everyone to enjoy camping. If they want the benefits that the US military bases provide, they can also choose to serve.
Do FamCamps allow tents also?
From our past experiences camping at military campgrounds at least most of them did allow for tent camping, but not all of them do so when making your reservation I would ask before planning your trip. The campgrounds are usually very nice !!!
To utilize a military campground, you must be a veteran or active member of the armed forces. But most campgrounds also accept military dependents, such as a person killed in battle, a disabled veteran, or a minor in immediate family or spouse of an active member.
Find more: [Link deleted]
why can’t I find a place to contact someone to get more info or sign up
There are several links in the article you could click for more information – Team RV Lifestyle
Please recheck the links. I found several (e,g. Camp Lejeune) that went to inoperative sites.
I just read an interesting article on Military Campgrounds. I am a veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy ( navy diver ) I have a question about these military campgrounds. Are they only open to veterans and military members of the USA.
If other veterans from Canada can camp here what security cards or information is required to use these campgrounds.
Thanking you in advance
Bill
Thanks for posting this article. FamCamps have been our first choice for years. Have never been disappointed. Retired Navy.