Reviews written by firepup47

First the good news, the sites are concrete and you can level easily, there are two free washers and dryers, the staff is friendly but not involved, you are close to Denver, you can walk to the commissary/BX (1.5 miles)on a paved walking path. The bad news: 1. the showers were dirty, used soap and shampoo was never removed even though they do have a cleaning team but no one checks on them and they do a terrible job, the toilets are like prison toilets (all metal with no toilet seat), it takes forever to get hot water in the showers; 2) the last reviewer was kind saying that the grass couldn't grow because of the drought, there is very little grass and what they tried to plant has been washed away by rain and snow onto the roads, 2) there are deep ruts were it appears the snow removal truck or RVs ran off the road when the roads were snow covered, 4)there are 2 dumpsters at the west end of the campground so the campers on the east end apparently use the trash cans outside of the bathhouse/laundry building and no one empties them, 5) there is a camp host but they have no duties and do not receive any compensation so they are really not camp hosts so it appears no one cares what happens at the famcamp. The famcamp is located at the end of the runway so you will hear "the sound of freedom" but they do not fly at night. There is no lake (it is being drained because birds and airplanes do not get along well), the wind blows all the time and there are no windbreaks (again trees and bushes attract birds), the near by playground consist of two swings. So if you are looking for anything other than a place to park you camper and visit Denver or the mountains you might want to go to the Air Force Academy. However, if you just need a place to park while visiting or exploring the area this famcamp is OK, it is safe has full hook ups, and I think is a little cheaper than commercial campgrounds and the state parks around Denver.

This is our second stop here to visit family. I first thought this new famcamp was on its way to be a very good famcamp. I think the first reviews (including mine) were optimistic. All the grass is dead (experiencing a severe drought) except around the restrooms/laundry where it is sprinkled. The camp host situation as I was told by Jeff has changed...they are looking for a camp host but there are no benefits to host here except you can stay as long as you host. No commitment, no compensation and no defined duties. Hopefully there will be a commitment from the base to put some trees in to break the wind, to replace the grass, and to do something with the pond area over the winter and next spring. Signage is still a problem, as is the check in procedure. The only famcamp signage is when you have driven the entire length of the base. If you have anything bigger than a class b van you can not go to outdoor rec to sign in and get a site because their parking lot is small and already had many vehicles parked in the parking lot. So you need to go to the campground and find a site, go back to outdoor rec and only to find out that you must move to another site since they reserve a specific site when you call in for reservations. Even with the lower ratings I gave the famcamp, it is better than local campgrounds. If you are using this as a home base to see Denver you would do well to stay here, if you are also traveling to Colorado Springs. The Academy is cheaper and has more to offer.

We are leaving in a couple of days and I wanted to add a few comments before I forget them. As others have said the Famcamp is experiencing the new RV park growing pains (the reason for the 4 rating),i.e., letting the grass grow too long (it will be mowed very soon according to the staff) signage,no shade trees,one dumpster only, hosts to help with checkin and letting the staff know what is needed in the campground. Many pluses: near I-70 and I-225, located in the greater Denver metro area, 4 miles from a world class hospital complex including VA, washer and dryers are new and free, clean bath facilities, large sites with hardstand parking (almost level), a lot of space between sites, new lake and playground facilities, BX and Commissary close, miles of walking paths located at the famcamp, outdoor rec center staff are very helpful and friendly (a major plus). Negatives that will not go away: flightline is close (but they do not fly at night, so far), windy (nothing to break the sometimes strong winds), a firing range not far from the famcamp (little popping noise only but constant during the day), the base does not have a golf course or auto hobby shop. One other plus IMHO is the 30 day stay policy from April to October (no homesteading! Although Jeff did say the 30 day limit can be extended if the campground is not full (again they are flexible but once this famcamp gets to be known we expect it will be full in the summer). It is very quiet at night and the security people do patrol periodically. As the famcamp matures this will be one of the best in the system if they can keep up with what they have started, definitely on the right track. We hope the future plans call for planting trees to break the wind and add shade, both are needed.

I have stayed at the Academy on numerous occasions since I have family in Denver area and for medical treatments in Denver. I also have been critical of the management of this famcamp in the past. I am very happy to report that everything has improved since my last visit. John and his staff strive to accommodate all RVers. They have added speed bumps because of the people who think it is a 25 MPH instead of 5 MPH. That has helped to keep the dust down (now if the base contractor would obey the speed limit it would be nice). Yes there are still trains but nothing can be done about that and you will get used to it very soon. I wish the sites were more level but every year John brings in more gravel to level the sites, I think the people who spread the gravel might need a class on leveling (IMHO). John is installing a propane tank on site (Really a nice feature) and Harold (?), the maintenance guy is always around and extremely nice. The bathrooms and showers are always clean and kept in great shape. If you come during football season, the stadium is within walking distance and you will see some very good football. FYI there is a new security post on Stadium road so there is one more chance to show you ID if you are driving to the south gate or BX/ gas station. If you need to use the Auto Hobby shop -- the guys there are friendly and know their stuff if you have a question. The golf course is outstanding and Wednesday is retiree day with $25 green fees. I think the famcamp is getting better every time I come back here!!!

We arrived at Pine View after we left Fort Tuthill in the rain. Fort Tuthill's hotel clerk actually recommended Pine View. We planned on staying 4 days but ended up staying almost two weeks. The Camp Hosts are just outstanding, Steve and Audrey will bend over backward to ensure you stay is the best it can be and they are very knowledgeable of the local area. There are no sewer connections but there is a dump station (it would get all 5's if they had full hookups). Plenty of space between sites so you will not be crowded regardless of the site. The bathrooms and laundry were the cleanest we have seen in over 3 years of fulltiming (military, national parks and commercial campgrounds). You do have fire rings and wood is laying all over due to a tornado a few years ago (one of the few military campgrounds that you can enjoy an evening fire). Our Verizon card worked great as did our dish tv. Steve and Audrey are continually upgrading the facilities, with a self help gazebo with a new propane BBQ. They brought in an ice bag storage unit so they could offer bags of ice for about $2.00. They also brought in mountain bikes to rent. The warm days and cool nights, plus the attractions in the Flagstaff area warranted our longer than planned stay, plus Grand Canyon was only 50 miles away. We stayed here in a 36 foot motor home.

If you are camping here in anything over 20 feet you need to go need to know that the sites are not level, many have only 20 amps (which I heard was going to be upgraded to 50 amp) and if it rains you will be in mud. The clerk at the lodge was very nice but I think they cater to those who will be using the lodge or yurts not campers/RVers. We had reservations but when we arrived our sites were axle deep in mud and only 20 amps...the clerk was very nice and recommended that we go either to the fairgrounds or to Pine Valley (just 13 miles away but so much nicer). We did get a full refund which I heard was not always done for other rvers.

We travel with our friends so always try to book two full hookup sites. The real camphost, Howard sent us an email and said that all he had was overflow (electric and water only). We arrived and was assigned to the overflow. Did not see Howard again until the next week when he told us we could have full hookups. We both decided that the overflow was better than some of the full hookup sites so decided to stay in overflow. (Actually the only down side to this famcamp is the full hook up sites in the old part of the Famcamp - they range from really good to OMG bad) If you get a full hook up site ask for concrete pads or you will not like it). Never saw Howard again as he went on emergency leave but Deputy Don was always available, friendly, and knows the area very well. Deputy Don told us about a local repair facility for our generator and also one of the best steak houses in Utah (Prarie Schooner). He was always on duty and made sure every RV that came into the famcamp was personally met by him regardless of the hour. Deputy Don made this stay GREAT! We will come back if only to visit with him.
Hill AFB is an outstandy base and we agree with all the other comments, they are doing something right by the airmen stationed at Hill. We were so pleased with everyone we met, at the top of the list is the golf course --- is one of the best in the Air Force (for sure the best maintained) and we have played some of the best including the Air Force Academy; Hill does not take a back seat to any of them.

From making reservations to leaving this was a very positive stay. Thanks to the entire staff at the park office this was one of the most enjoyable experiences we have had in the military campground system. Two examples of the outstanding and friendly staff were the gentleman who provided us with a 7 blade connection tester and the young lady with the hat (Namoi) who was always ready to help anyone who walked in the door of the office (and believe me I need a lot of help). The park like environment, the facilities, and the post all were immaculate. The only negative comment about the campground I could make was site #43 is not very level but that was only a minor problem. The only negative about the post was - no driving range for the golf course. Fort Meade should be very proud of its RV park and its MWR staff. I would recommend this campground to anyone who wants to enjoy the Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington DC area. The cable tv worked fine, we did not need our satellite since cable was so good and the antenna is even better with so many Baltimore and Washington DC channels in HD. I would rank this campground as one of the best in the military system and I have stayed in quite a few over the last two years of fulltiming.

Update to my last input on the USAF Acacemy's famcamp. I stated that the famcamp has not had any improvements since 2004; however, there has been maintenance and they have added gravel to the campsites for the last two springs and the last two weeks has seen a steady improvement to the campsites. Tons of gravel have been distributed to the RV sites and they seem to be in alot better shape now. I talked to the Famcamp Manager after my last input and was told that they were trying to get enough road rock to also cover the roads into the campsites and it also appears that the registration office is being redone. During the summer there will be someone in the registration office during duty hours but no one to talk to after duty hours if there is problems or questions. The base has one of the best golf courses in the military system and is worth a visit just to play the two 18 hole courses.

I would not say that this is the best managed famcamp in DOD! There have been no improvements to this famcamp since 2004. The roads into the sites are dirt and therefore muddy whenever it rains. They are raising the rates to $20 starting April 1st. Someone said the sites are level - I don't think you can not find a level site anywhere in the park. On the positive side - Linda at the Rec Center is outstanding!! The bathroom facilities (upgraded in 2004) are always clean and kept in good shape. The maintenance man does a good job but I can't say that he cleans the grills as soon as someone leaves. It is set in the woods which gives you that "camping" experience but it also has the trains and uneven gravel sites. The famcamp setting is great not the management, except Linda! The area is a great place to visit with many many things to do and see but I do not confuse the famcamp as being outstanding just because it happens to be at the foot of the Rockies and locate on the beautiful Air Force Academy. All that said, I like the famcamp, just not enough to say it is one of the best and I really do not like the rate increase (btw - the rate increase is to pay off a 2004 loan to the Air Force).

Hugh improvement over our last visit to Kirtland AFB. The east area with their very large gravel spaces, sewer, and electric connections are a vast improvement over the older west area. We hope they continue to improve this park, as this park could serve as a hub for the many attractions of the Albuquerque area. A host drove up as we were sitting up in the rain/snow mix of early March and volunteered to go to the registration office and mark our spot on the sign in board, the lady who registered us the next morning was very nice and informative. Some areas of improvement are: the bathroom facilities need updating and expanded. They are woefully inadequate for the size of this famcamp with only one shower. The registration office is very small and does not have the room to have the informative brochures and other amenities of other famcamps. It would be a little better if they would compact the gravel sites but we did not have a real problem with sitting up because our jack pads compacted the gravel and we were able to level without too much effort. There is no shade or landscaping in the east area and that will help this summer for those sites. With a few more improvements this would be a very nice famcamp. With all that said we will continue to stop here and hope they continue to improve the famcamp.

From the moment we arrived until we left this was a very positive experience for us. The staff was very friendly and helpful even the post police stopped an chatted with us when we took a walk out of the campground. The bathroom/showers/laundry were clean and when on of the shower heads malfunctioned the staff had it fixed by the very next morning. The sites were level and the campground clean. If you golf, FSH has two pretty good 18 hole courses. The 2 billion dollar construction effort on post presents some problems but you can still get around the post pretty easily. The bridge construction has helped considerably and now the campground is very easy to get to from Ritterman. If you bowl - $1.00 a game = a very good value. All in all FSH campground is well worth the price and we will use it again if we are in the area.

Great location, close to Padre Island, Corpus Christi and its attractions. Staff was friendly and the sites were level and power was adequate. We stayed on the beach side of the campground - it appeared you needed to be staying more than 30 days to stay near the marina but that was not a problem. The laundry room was not maintained as 3 dryers, vending machines were out of service the month we stayed and although the hosts said someone was going to fix them, they only put out of service signs on them. A couple of things you may want to know - if you walk on the grass you will get those little stickers on you shoes and they mean business, the wind blows and blows here and if it doesn't blow the mosquitoes will keep you from enjoying the outdoors. The upside is almost everyone we met on and off base were very friendly, found some very good restaurants (especially Andy's kitchen for breakfast) in the area and the ITT office has some really good discounts for the local attractions. Overall rating of three is because of the maintenance and wind! The hosts were friendly but I don't know what they do besides ride around on their golf carts and wave. We stayed here in a motorhome.