The BEST and WORST Military Campgrounds

Campgrounds
Written By Today is Someday
Ruby and Jeep in campground site with bay in background

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We're always getting bombarded with questions about our military campground experiences - where we've parked our RVs, what we liked or didn't like, you know the drill. (Dril….see what I did there) Anyway, we decided to put together a master list and dish on all of 'em. AND, to keep things fresh, we promise to keep adding to the list as we explore even more military campgrounds in the future. So stick with us - we've got all the gritty deets you need for your next military campground reservation!

Official seals of Department of Defense, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard

Are you a veteran? Did you know Veterans gained access to military campgrounds on Jan 1, 2020? For more details and to see if you qualify to use military campgrounds, head to HOW DO VETERANS GAIN ACCESS TO MILITARY CAMPGROUNDS.

I have used campground ratings from RV Life Campground Reviews, which is part of RV Life Pro. RV Life Pro also has our favorite RV route planner (RV Life Trip Wizard) and RV-safe GPS. We highly recommend this app/website and wouldn’t RV without it. If you would like to join, click the below to save 25% on your membership. You will be so glad you did!

 
 
 

Military RV Parks & campgrounds

KARS Park (2020, 2023)

 
 

KARS Park has 104 electric & water hook up sites along the Banana River. Sites are first come, first served. The water sites will fill up quickly so get there early to get in line. Sites are grass but well packed.

Best Features: This is the absolute perfect place to watch a spaceship launch from NASA. You can also watch the cruise ships come in and out of Cape Canaveral. On a good day you can see dolphins playing in the water.

Good to Knows: This is a basic campground without bells and whistles. Many RVers prestage the night before at the Elks lodge down the street so they can score a waterfront site.

Eligible: NASA employees, Military, Veterans and DOD. See site for full eligibility.

KARS PARK CAMPGROUND SUNRISE
 
 

Joint Base Charleston Campground (2022)

 
 

JBC AFB has 40 full hookup sites less than 30 minutes from the heart of Charleston, SC. Sites are paved and the campground is well maintained.

Best Features: The campground is only $35 which is half to a third of the campground in Charleston.

Good to Knows: Sites book fast. Reservations open 90 days out and can only be made over the phone. Overflow is available which is a parking lot with full hookup sites. We were able to score an overflow site and it was fine.

Eligible: Active duty, Veterans and DOD. See site for full eligibility.

 
 

Peregrine Pines famcamp, (2018, 2020)

Peregrine Pines has 105 full hookup sites on sand, grass and gravel sites. This is our FAVORITE MILITARY CAMPGROUND. You will want to visit this beautiful place.

Best Features: The base is beautiful. You will want tour the Air Force Chapel. The academy is a beautiful place to mountain bike, run and more. Want a challenge? Check out the Stairway to Heaven. Its 300 stairs up 211 feet. It is no joke!

Good to Knows: During graduation and other Academy events alumni have priority. Reservations open 90 days out for active duty and 60 days out for all other eligible RVers.

Eligible: Cadets/Preps, active duty, retired, reservists, 100% DAV, VHIC vets. See site for full eligibility.

View of Air Force Academy

Midway RV Park (2019, 2020)

Midway has 48 paved, full hookup sites. This quiet little campground is just north of Memphis.

Best Features: Campground is walking distance to the commissary and playground.

Eligible: Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retired, 100% DAV

 
 

SOUTHWINDS MARINA ON THE LAKE AMISTAD CAMPGROUND (2019)

Lake Amistad has 35 partial and full hookup sites. It is a good place to hunker down for the winter.

Best Features: Campground is next to Amistad National Rec Area with plenty of activities.

Good to Knows: Sits right along the Del Rio and the Mexico border. Our cell phones thought we were in Mexico most of the time.

Eligible: active duty, retired, reservists, DAV, CAC card holders. See site for full eligibility.

Little Creek (2019)

Little Creek has 45 full hookup paved sites. This is our least favorite military campground. It was very tight and not well maintained. We won’t stay here again. It is far from an 8.1 rating.

Best Features: None!

Eligible: active duty, retired, reservists, 100% DAV. See site for full eligibility.

Fort Belvoir travel camp (2019)

Fort Belvoir has 52 paved full hookup sites right on the Potomac River. We LOVED this military campground. This is not a cheap campground (we paid $50 per night) but it is more than half the price of campgrounds in the area.

Best Features: You will find the best commissary that we have ever been through on this fort.

Good to Knows: Only 15 minutes from the train station. Its a 35 minute drive or an hour train ride into DC.

Eligible: Active Duty, Retired Military, Reservists, National Guards, and DoD Civilians are eligible to camp at the Fort Belvoir Travel Camp. See site for full eligibility.

Deer Run RV Park (2019)

Earle has 15 paved, full hookup sites. This campground is terrible and the base is completely run down! I would give this campground a 2 only because it has full hookups and a good price. We will never stay here again.

Best Features: None!

Good to Knows: The sewer hookup is literally in the center of the paved site. If you choose to stay here we recommend not hooking up sewer until the day you leave. Close up the RV pull forward and then dump the tanks.

Eligible: active duty, retired, reservists, 100% DAV. See site for full eligibility.

Fourth Cliff family recreation area (2019)

Fourth Cliff has 11 full hookup paved and gravel sites.

Best Features: Hearing the sound of the ocean pound the rocks as you drift off to sleep.

Good to Knows: The campground is located on the shore of Massachusetts. A day trip to Plymouth Rock is only about 30 minute south. Several RV sites have been taken back by the sea.

Eligible: Active Duty Worldwide, Reservists, National Guard, Retired Military, 100% Disabled Veterans/VA VHIC Holders, DoD and Hanscom AFB DoD Contractors. See site for full eligibility.

Great Lakes MWR campground (2019)

Great Lakes has 20 electric only sites. The rating for this campground is spot on. The sites are tight and it was a total junk yard.

Best Features: It is convenient to visit family stationed on the base as there very few campgrounds close by.

Good to Knows: None.

Eligible: active duty, retired, reservists, 100% DAV, VHIC vets. See site for full eligibility.

 
 

MAcDill famcamp (2019)

MacDill FamCamp has 359 full hookup sites. They also have dry camping overflow next to the water. We named this area the “grassy knoll.”

Best Features: There is plenty to keep you entertained within walking and biking distance. There is a beach, kayak rentals, boat rentals, and more.

Good to Knows: We saw manatees in the water beside the grassy knoll. Their reservation structure is frustrating. Half of their campsites are seasonal and are booked up by the when seasonal campers arrive the year before. Usually long before they open for everyone.

All other sites are only available for 2 weeks at a time unless no one is waiting for hookups. After your 2 weeks they kick you back to the grassy knoll until another full hookup site opens. It could be 1 day or a week or more before you are moved back into full hookups.

Eligible: active duty, retired, reservists, 100% DAV, DOD. See site for full eligibility.

Fort Sam Rv Park (2018, 2019)

Lackland has 41 paved, full hookup sites.

Best Features: It is the perfect spot to park while exploring San Antonio.

Good to Knows: Many Veterans use this campground when they have medical appointments at BAMC.

Eligible: Cadets/Preps, active duty, retired, reservists, 100 % DAV, VHIC vets. See site for full eligibility.

Tower on Ft Sam Houston

Shields RV park (2018, 2019)

 
 

Shields RV Park has 103 paved, full hookup sites.

Best Features: Right off the 10 for an easy overnight.

Good to Knows: Located 80 miles East of NOLA and 75 miles West of Mobile, AL.

Eligible: Cadets/Preps, active duty, retired, reservists, 100% DAV, VHIC vets. See site for full eligibility.

 
 

Oak Grove RV park (2018)

 
 

Oak Grove has 51 full hookup sites. Sites are on sand and grass.

Best Features: This campground sits right on the beach.

Good to Knows: The Blue Angels practice every Tuesday and Wednesday from March to November. The practices are free and open to the public. Click here for their practice schedule. The Naval Aviation museum which is just down the street is amazing! Must see.

Eligible: active duty, retired, reservists, 100% DAV, VHIC vets. See site for full eligibility.

Stacy sitting on a piece of drift wood looking out at the ocean

Manatee cove rv park (2018)

Manatee Cove has 39 gravel, full hookup sites and 3 partial hookup sites.

Best Features: The RV park is on Manatee Point along the Saint Johns River. There are plenty of water activities to keep you busy.

Eligible: active duty, retired, reservists, 100% DAV, VHIC vets, DoD. See site for full eligibility.

 
 

James E Johnson Memorial RV Park (2020)

This campground is located at Camp Blanding which is a joint training facility for the National Guard. It had 29 full hookup sites and 12 partial hookup sites. Sites in two loops and are gravel and paved.

Best Features: Campground sits on Kingsley Lake.

Good to Knows: Quiet campground that is a perfect place to escape northern winters.

Eligible: active duty, retired, reservists, 100% DAV. See site for full eligibility.

Fairways RV Resort, Port Hueneme, CA (2020)

The Fairways Resort has 85 paved, full hookup sites.

Best Features: Only $30 per night which makes it much less expensive than the surrounding area campgrounds.

Good to Knows: Only 15 minutes from the ferry for Channel Islands National Park. The ferry books up fast so don’t wait to book or you will be unable to explore this beautiful NP. You can also book kayaking and snorkeling tours around the Islands.

Eligible: active duty, retired, reservists, 100% DAV. See site for full eligibility.

See all of our campground blogs here!

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Every Saturday, Phil & Stacy publish the Today Is Someday Newsletter, where they share weekly articles about all things RV and travel. Each week they scour the internet for articles that will inspire and inform you. They also share discounts, sales, and freebies! So don’t miss out! Sign up for the newsletter below.

About the Author: Meet Stacy! Stacy and her husband, Phil, are a wanderlust couple who have been roaming the great USA for an epic 5 years! They ditched the daily grind to embark on thrilling adventures and inspire fellow dreamers to chase their travel dreams. Curious about how they do it? Check out their awesome youtube channel, Today is Someday, where they're spilling all the secrets to living a life on the move. Get ready to pack your bags and join them on this incredible journey.

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