Kirtland AFB FamCamp

Stayed in new section, very large gravel sites. No trees. Quiet. Close to I-40 so very convenient for sight seeing around Albuquerque. Eubanks Gate is EXTREMELY narrow, suggest using a different gate, the base is very easy to get around from the other gates. Will stay here next time we are passing through.

This is a nice place to stay. WiFi would be nice and could be installed easily. Otherwise, no complaints. Janet is very nice and helpful.

The expansion to the east has greatly increased the capacity of this FamCamp, not only in number of spaces but in the size each camper has - some of the best sites you'll find if you have a big rig or more than one vehicle, or guests. All have full hookup, with 50 Amps. One error in construction was not burying the water pipes deep enough to prevent frequent freeze-ups and more than a few broken pipes. We experienced this in this visit as well as in past visits during New Mexico's occasional very cold snaps, which can happen anytime from November thru March. We had a pipe burst adjacent to our trailer, and were showered in spray for over an hour from 9PM into the night, while contract civil engineers were called to shut off the water! Lots of ice formed on the trailer, and the site resembled an ice rink by the following morning! No damage done, everything melted when it hit 32 degrees about 10AM. But campers should know to ALWAYS disconnect their water when there's a prediction to go below freezing. Helpful staff - Janet, the host, is great to work with. Always accommodating with pay-as-you-go, because they'd rather not refund, unless really necessary. Credit cards welcome, and late arrivals and early departures are never a problem.
Still no wifi because of concerns about interference to the mission at the Sandia National Labs, yet there are mo restrictions on using routers if you connect via a Verizon or Sprint card. Go figure - but a minor inconvenience, because the cards work just fine. The laundry facility is fair, and the shower and toilet facility is pretty poor. No issue with cleanliness, but these are old-old-old! Really in need of replacement, and better heating in the winter. Otherwise, a super 'user-friendly' place to stay. Would not hesitate to stay here anytime. Great Commissary and Good BX. Nice gas station/Class VI, and they sell cheap diesel! Fairly good, but older fitness center, convenient to RV park. Good Post Office. Excellent TV reception with line-of-site to the transmitters on Sandia Crest. Lots and lots of things to do in Albuquerque, right out the main gate.

I think we stayed in the newer area. Nice with rocks etc. The only complaint I have is the showers/restrooms. They were clean, but it was FREEZING cold in there. I couldn't get the hot water to work, so I went to the office to see what was going on. She said you have to turn it this way and then back that way and it will work!!! That was CRAZY! Plus only one shower? We were really surprised for the size of the camp. Since they have added the new sites hopefully there is a plan on updating those shower facilities as well. At least fix the heat! I mean it was like a "girl scout" shower.

Another nice stay at Kirtland. Came and went through the Eubanks Gate with no problems. When calling ahead to make sure there was sites available, Janet, the manager is always helpful. We'll be back!

We stayed here a couple of months ago (on the newer side) and had a very nice time. The camp host was very cordial, the area clean, and RV spaces are nice. We got here this visit after the office was closed for the day so I filled out the envelope at the office per posted instructions. The space I selected in the new section was not marked off on the space chart, so I marked it on the chart and we pulled our RV into that space. There were two traffic cones sitting next to the electrical box (they were not placed in the middle of the space to look like someone might be using that space). I got out of out truck and a woman from the adjoining space came around the corner of her RV and said in a loud non-cordial voice "don't you know what the cones are for?" Not sure why she would think I knew what the cones were for -- the office chart showed the space as vacant and the cones were off to the side of the space. I told her no I didn't know what the cones were for and she continued in her loud non-cordial voice to tell me that the space was reserved. I told her the chart at the office showed the space as vacant and she again said it was reserved. It worked out well that we didn't stay next to her because her dogs barked continually from the minute we pulled into the space. I then realized when I saw her vehicle that this same woman was in that same space when we were here a couple of months ago. During that stay, I had taken our dogs over to the dog park. She was there and actually called out to me to not bring my dogs into the park until she took her dogs out!! The space outside her RV looks like she is set to stay there permanently, just as it did when we were here before. Not the best person to run into for a good first impression of the famcamp.

Good place to stay. Good weather while we were there but whatever it is (wind, sun etc) the east side is open to it. East side has enormous sites, wide enough for two vehicles with room to spare but they are 100% gravel. With plenty of dry camping space no need for reservations but you'll probably start on the east side. Rest rooms clean, laundry inop while we where there. Overall, I thought the place was being well maintained. Nice folks working there, especially the host. Would stay here again for sure.

W.J. left this review using the Directory software - We stayed at this campground from Sept 15th - 20th. Stayed in spot w21. This famcamp is doing a good job. They have tried to answer all bad comments. Yes, for a military camp ground it is a little expensive. The best famcamp in the west only charges 17.00 where as this one charges 18.00. The camp manager is doing her best to satisfy everyone but of course, can't satisfy everyone. The fam camp is in a good location to see the upper east side of New Mexico. The new addition is now looking good. Rock and gravel have been put down and some trees planted. There is no wifi because Sandia Labs is afraid someone will hack into their system. Sounds like a problem with their security. Guess they have not heard of people bringing their own. There is no need for cable TV as Albuquerque has many local tv stations. The old FEMA trailers are still there. Problems here need to be addressed with WMR. By the way, a new restroom facility is being added in the near future to east side park. No plans for a new laundry room. I found all pf the facilities very clean, and staff very friendly. Will definitely will stay at this famcamp again.

We visited for three nights and had enjoyable time. We were located in the new area; all sites are 50 amp with full hook-ups; this area is pretty barren but sites very large, windy conditions will bring up the dust. We did not use the restrooms or laundry but in walking the older section of CG it appeared that general maintenance is falling behind. $18 per night is a great price for the area. Will use again.

D.K. left this review using the Directory software: - Mens shower was dirty when we visited 6 years ago and at least once a year since. Condition is now filthy. Bad soap scum on walls, exhaust fan missing, mold on floor. Feces on wall of toilet stall. No latch on toilet stall. Womens shower exhaust fan inoperative. Have been telling on-site person, Janet Marchi, about showers for 6 years. Condition only gets worse. I will send email to Wing Commanders HOTLINE as they have an ORI first part of Sep 2011.

We stayed for a full week, and will certainly do so again when next we have a chance. Weather was great and the campsite was most comfortable. This campground has two sides: The new East side is spacious, gravel surfaced, 50-amps, pull-throughs. It seems that the "big rigs" are more comfortable over in the newer East side. The older West side is more attractive, although some sites only accommodate 30-amps. Our trailer is a convenient 22 ft, 30 amps, back-in capable, so we were able to thoroughly enjoy our week's stay in the West side with shade trees around. Outdoor Rec decided to park three rent-able FEMA trailers in parking sites that I would like to be able to use. I wish they would have put those FEMA trailers over in the East side where there a many more sites available. The campground manager and the host were very gracious, knowledgeable and helpful. They made our stay very pleasant. The bathhouse and laundry is older but kept clean everyday. When the East side was built, more than doubling the number of sites, they did not build a new bathhouse or expand the existing one. I heard that plans are in the works for installation of one of those new modular bathhouses on the East side. But we will have to wait to see if that happens....it is needed though. No Wi-Fi in this campground. Base facilities are nice - one of the best. There is bus transportation from the base to most areas in town. One of the bus stops is a 15-20 min walk from the campground. We made it from the trailer to the center of Albuquerque on the bus in one hour.

J.C. left this review using the Directory software: Price is 18.00 and all the dust you can eat! Works as a "pass through", but not much else. Would not want to try to stay if raining!!

I did not have any trouble with the directions at all and came in thru the Gate on Gibson Ave. I would use the Eubanks gate next time as it is easier and closer to the RV Park. We stayed in the newer section which is open and dusty. All the sites were huge pull thrus and had new stone which helped with the dust. Great location to explore the area and nice facilities on the base. The wind was terrible while we were here. We did not use the showers or bath rooms so cannot comment on them. We did use the laundry which only had 3 washers and dryers and several of them were out of order. We stayed in a 5th wheel. Janet in the office is very knowledgeable on the area and can give you tips on where to go.

Nice campground with two very different sides; the nice wooded side was full including the FEMA trailers mentioned before which were empty, I assume they are rentals for the airmen on post to use which is a nice program, this facility is here primarily for them but these trailers look like they have seen better days. The other side is very open with soft gravel and huge spots, they are very nice but the wind was HORRIBLE and there is nothing to block it if you stay on that side. The post is very nice and in a great location, there is a lot to offer within a short drive from the base so it is defiantly worth the visit. They don't take reservations but with so many sites on both sides I doubt it is ever completely full except maybe during the balloon festival. If you are coming this way it is well worth staying here especially for the price and central location.

Came in through the Eubanks Gate without any problems. Surprised to see several old, beat up and very ugly FEMA trailers in some of the nicer sites on the east side. None were used while we were there. Janet assigned us to a site on the west side. Nice huge pull-through. Visited ITT and saved some money on Isotopes and Tram Ride tickets. We’ll be back.

G.S. left this review using the Directory software: - Stayed in the old section, many back in sites and some crossed utilities. If they have money to invest, I'd recommend a new bath house. We have a 40ft RV towing a car and made it through the gates with care. Initially went through the recommended Truman Gate, was quite an adventure trying to find the camp from there. Need better directions, gate guard at that location not really helpful.

W.R. left this review using the Directory software: - A couple of notes. The gate issue is VERY confusing. We carefully followed the instructions for entry listed and ended up at a VA Hospital. You have to be VERY careful of the lane you are in when turning on to Gibson Ave. It forks 3 ways, only one of which takes you to the base. The water pressure in the new wing of the family camp averaged 70 to 80 psi.

Overall a nice experience, stayed on the west side which is nothing but an open area with full hook-up sites, wide and long. There were many open spots to choose from, reservations are not taken and were not needed. We arrived after 1600 and did not have access to the bathroom until the next morning due to needing a combination to get in them. We were able to enter through the main gate. We are 36 feet with a tow vehicle. It looked tight. We would stay here again and recommend it when visiting Albuquerque.

Since it was a Sunday we had to go through the main gate vice the Eubanks gate. Our rig is a 38’ 5-wheel pulled by a long bed 3500 GMC so I was just a little apprehensive about going through that gate and the maze. It’s a very good thing that I pulled into the visitor parking lot as I don't believe we could have gotten through the main gate. The maze has been tightened up since the last time we were here. The Security Police checked our ID’s and told us that the gate guard usually sends big rigs to the Truman gate. They then had to remove the barriers to let us through. I called the Police Desk this morning and they said that the “prefer” large vehicles use the Truman gate. Here are directions: From I-40 East or West, take Exit 161, San Mateo Blvd. Go south on San Mateo Blvd NE. Left on Gibson Blvd SE After entering gate, go to Wyoming Blvd and turn right. Left on F Ave Then follow directions above. We stayed in the East section. Very large pull-throughs with 50 amp and 30 amp service. This sections is just a very large parking lot with hookups but it works. 10% discount for Officers/NCO Club members.

If I hadn't talked to the host this morning I would have rated this famcamp higher in hospitality and overall experience. They do not take reservations here and have a 14 day stay limit. I have no problem with that and think it’s fair. Albuquerque has a popular balloon festival that starts next week. When I checked in yesterday, the female host, (Kelly) asked me how long I wanted to stay and that would determine where she’d put me. I told her just till Monday and she put me in the new section. I did wonder why my duration of stay, if within their 14 day limit, made a difference. My wife today suggested we stay another day. I stopped by the office and asked about extending one day. The male who was in the office when we checked in and I assumed was Kelly’s husband was there. Right off the bat he was rude. When I told him I was in the new section he said the base commander told them to have that section emptied of all guests by September 30th. I asked why it had to be emptied and he became visibly upset, saying he had no idea, he was only a volunteer and he’s tired of people gripping at him. I told him I wasn’t gripping, I just asked a question. He never extended my stay, even though I’d be vacating before Sep 30th, and just stormed off. The base commander can do what he wants I suppose. This section that has to be emptied is 40, fifty amp spots – more than half the capacity of the campground that is now not available to the active duty/retired population this recreation site is supposed to serve. At a bare minimum, the folks dealing with customers at the campground should be courteous (as Kelly was) and have an explanation as to why the campground is not available to it’s customer base during a popular event.