Reviews written by bigtom

This is second time we have stayed here. No changes since last year. Small, but rural, quiet setting on base. There are a total of 10 sites, only 8 have water. Sites 9&10 share water with Sites 7&8, so have a long water hose in case you get 9 or 10. Site 1, 9 & 10 are grass, others are paved. No tall trees so satellite should work for TV. No individual sewer hookup, but dump site is adjacent to Site #1 and easy to get to. No WiFi, but Verizon data card works fine. Must go to Air Capital Inn, on your left in 2nd block when you enter Main Gate off of Rock Road. Pay up front, and check if you need to stop by when you leave - they told me no need to so long as I left by checkout time - 11AM. Nice people at the VQ (Air Cap Inn) where you check in. If not full, ask not to be next to someone as sites are fairly close. No nearby bathhouse, so be prepared to use your own or walk/drive to Shoppette or VQ if necessary. Decent value @ $14, year round, and in-town Wichita, KS. Lots of shopping - everything - nearby. Golf course and fitness trail adjacent, good outdoor location.

If you come in the Main Gate, stay to the FAR RIGHT even if the lanes are closed. The AP will open the gate and let you through....there is a sign merely saying to stay right, but not specifically for THAT lane. Checked in 23 Nov 09 for two nights...signs on Scott AFB generally do NOT mention the Famcamp. Best to make a hard left turn once inside the Main Gate onto Golf Course Road and stay on it, around the Golf Course, past the Illinois ANG building on the left...there will be a small, low sign on the RIGHT side of the road for the Famcamp pointing to the left. Once in the camp, choose a site but be SURE there isn't a paper on the post adjacent to the vacant site showing that it is reserved. There is a phone number on the welcoming sign; call it to be sure the site you want is available because the Scott Famcamp DOES take reservations, site specific! Some are treed, some open enough for satellite roof dishes. We found the site adequate, but the bathhouse/laundry was really, really dirty. I visited the Outdoor Rec office and asked about it and was told it was contracted out. Supplies were OK, paper products OK, heat and hot water OK, but clearly no real cleaning had taken place for several weeks, if not months. Staff at Outdoor Rec were very friendly, helpful, and apologetic for the condition, but their demeanor indicated this may be an ongoing problem. Washers and dryers were old, adequate, but not speedy or really hot. Closeness to St. Louis is biggest asset for those wishing to visit the city, easy access on/off Exit 19 off I-64. Would stay here again. Private, safe, and nice rural setting near a nice lake.

We've never camped here before, but have stayed in the VOQ, so we were familiar with the base. Couple things people need to know. One-This isn't a typical Air Force Base. It has a huge swatch of land, much of which is opened for public use - hiking/biking trails, fishing, boating, swimming - an outdoor person's paradise; but there are very few USAF people--lots of civilian contractors. Hence, there is a tiny commissary/AAFES shoppette on the Main Base and its closed all day Sunday & Monday and has very limited hours and selection. If you want to grocery shop/eat/buy stuff, go back to I-24, go just three miles east to Manchester, and right at the exit there's a Wal*Mart, Murphy Gas, Starbucks, McDonald's, all the usual stuff. Setting is gorgeous - but rustic! You're outdoors - you'll see a few bugs, hear ducks, birds, peepers, and people enjoying swimming at the small beach and boating. If you're seeking a "nice" dry, sunny, inland camping experience, don't go here. But if you love inland lakes of clear water, camping where you can enjoy a fire, lots of trees and decent weather away from cities, noise, crowds and freeways, this is your place. No wi-fi at the camp, but there is wi-fi up at the visiting quarters about 2 miles back up the road. TV? There is excellent DTV reception with a simple outdoor antenna from Huntsville - all four networks plus PBS. I gave "location" a 5 because this is a rare find if you like rustic, safe, scenic lakeside camping. If not, then 'location' would, for you, probably be a 3 at the most. NICE people to deal with. Satellite TV is good IF you get a site with a good tree-free shot to the SOUTH over the lake. Pick your site! That's a nice feature.

We drove up from MacDill's Famcamp, arrived here some 330 miles later. Camp had just closed and we checked in at the designated host's site, a guy named Ray. Could not have been any nicer!! Introduced him self right away. I explained we needed to have wi-fi and a satellite connection, and he immediately told us their wi-fi was down temporarily, but would hopefully be back up as early as tomorrow. As to satellite, he said they had free cable and I was free to pick any site I thought I could hit the satellites with on my rooftop dish, and then he said "let's take a ride". He showed me the entire place, and I picked a site, and then said just to see the office tomorrow when they were open and sign up. Did that, and the Hostess-Manager also was terrific..apologized for lack of wi-fi, and said she had it at her trailer and we could sit on her chairs in her yard anytime. Also offered to let us use the office, although there was a weak signal from her trailer. Decided to go to Starbucks for free wi-fi, about 5-6 miles west on US-98, just across the street from Wal*Mart. Wal*Mart is on the LEFT heading west on US98, Starbucks is on the RIGHT across the street from Wal*Mart. A bit noisy as there are lots of F-15 and F-22 fighter missions going on, but hey, its the Air Force, so not a problem for us. Lots of trees, so satellite TV will be difficult, but cable works OK. Rooftop antenna for digital HD only brought in the local two channels, WKHG-7-NBC and WMBB-13-NBC. You'll need cable for CBS WTVY in Dothan AL and for the other usual Cable stuff. Fox, CNN, ESPN, etc. Good system - about 70 channels. The Main Base is to the east about 2 miles from the FamCamp on US98.....easy to get around. The Main Base is to the right (South) on US98, and the runways and Mission part of the base is on the left (North). BX and Commissary are good, and are on the Main Base. Camp is a little weather beaten, perhaps a little old, but community building is open 24/7 and is very nice, and bathrooms are tiled, A/C, nice showers, and very clean. The people are really terrific. My hat's off to Ray, the other man in the office and the Manager. Great people - would stay here again in a heartbeat!

This is the second time we have stayed at Patrick AFB. As it was early May, it was not nearly full, although when we checked in all the Banana River frontage sites were taken. I asked the camp host if there was a waiting list for these sites, and was told there was not, and she offered to check her list and see who was scheduled to leave - which she did. There were two that were leaving the next day, and she said as long as they didn't extend (which you have the right to do until you actually leave), we could have one. The next morning we moved across the street to Space #2. I was MOST IMPRESSED AND THANKFUL to Camp Host Lorri & her husband for being so accommodating. 3 Cheers!!! Otherwise it was about the same as last time. While the overall appearance is good, additional electrification of the dry site will add to the value. NICE multi-workstation fitness course adjacent to campground makes a light workout easy to do, plus the running opportunity to catch a 2.5, 3 or even 4-miler are right there...no need to drive! Distance to the Commissary/BX is not a walk - it is across base but easy to do, plus there's a gate adjacent to the Commissary with access to AIA......exit the gate and take your first left....it takes you to AIA. One thing to remember, if you're ON AIA, you can only access this 'side' gate by leaving AIA on this street....I recall it is called "Ocean Drive" or "Ocean Street". There is NOT an access to the side gate for traffic heading WEST on the causeway from AIA over to US #1 and Wickham Drive. Plenty to see and do here, beside a great beach, too. One major drawback is the lack of wi-fi, and campground hosts are very aware of that need. There is good 24/7 connectivity outside the Library as well as in the front parking lots of the Visiting Officer Quarters. As PC's are quickly advancing to the presence in our lives as cell phones, campground priority improvements should definitely include computer connectivity, as many RV's are occupied by active duty and reserve people who are working, as well as retirees with need to be online. Overall this place is definitely a 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5, and again, the staff does EVERYTHING to help the customers!

This is our second year...arrived Monday morning and was told it would be 2-4 days of dry camping at the Sigsbee overflow...got a place RIGHT on the water. Very nice camp hostess, although not really clear on how the 'rotation' works. There is not a published list for all to see, but you can check anytime in the RV office and see where you stand. They will let you know after 1200 on the day BEFORE you rotate to one of the 93 full hookup sites. Full hookups at Sigsbee main site and pretty close together, so you'll get to know your neighbor! Several active duty families were there awaiting quarters or out processing. Nice laundry and latrines. Keep your speed down to 15MPH...saw plenty of SP (Shore Police) cruisers, and some police were pulling people over. Barber shop is very small - 1 chair, fairly long wait time. Commissary is unusually small for such a large military presence...would suggest going to Albertson's, in the shopping center across and slightly to the right when you exit the Sigsbee main gate. Huge supermarket - clean - lots of selection. If you have friends visiting, check the "Fly Navy"...its the 6-story VQ facility at Trumbo Annex - usually plenty of rooms, clean, TV, wifi, A/C, all for $50 a night! Nice beach at Truman Annex; never crowded even on the busiest days! Excellent workout room/gym at Truman and world class gym at Main Base at Boca Chica. Weather absolutly perfect! Hi 70's day and about 68-72 by night. Would return in a heartbeat!

We have stayed here before and enjoyed it, having learned you are basically on your own for activities. We happened on it previously and just happened to grab 5 open nights. This time we wanted to be sure, so we reserved. A rigorous procedure - you call the Miami phone number; we got a helpful guy who confirmed our dates were OK, and then took my Visa to hold it, but I had to MAIL the application, because he said the Coast Guard does NOT honor a fax'd signature. OK, fine, we abided by their regs, I took our laptop to a Kinko's, printed the application from their website, and invested $.42 and mailed it. Got a cell call from Miami confirming receipt of same and we were good to go. Got there afternoon of 8 December, got our site. Five days later we went to Key West to scope out Sigsbee since we wanted to go there next, and also did laundry and went to the Navy Exchange (NEX). Headed back to Marathon and I fumbled for my gate card to get access back to the USCG Campground, and could not find it. Punched the intercom on the gate and we got in OK. Next day we searched long and hard for the card, no luck. Being the honest soul that I am, I went over the the Camp host and told him I lost my card. He flatly said, "Hope you got your checkbook, because that will cost you $250." I had remembered being warned NOT to lose the card, but $250? Scheeez!!! Decided to go back to Sigsbee the next day and look in the laundry for the key. There IS a God because there, on the shelf above the washers, was THE card!! Some good soul had found it and just put it on the shelf, rather than throwing same away! LESSON LEARNED: Do NOT, repeat, do NOT lose your gate card! It ain't a Holiday Inn keycard!! These guys are SERIOUS about the replacement cost and they said in no uncertain terms that if you walk away with it or lose it, the US Coast Guard WILL find you and you WILL pay! You have to sign a statement to that effect, which we did, to pull into your space. Final thoughts....rules is rules is rules. Would I stay there again? Certainly. Just a bit more difficult to reserve, you're on your own, and FOLLOW THE RULES. Remember this is the 'real deal'. These guys can and do go out on missions 24/7, sometimes with the .50 cal mounted on the prow, ready for whatever they might encounter. They are serious about their mission, and expect you to seriously honor their rules.

A terrific hostess, easy access to I-90 and Rapid City as well as Mt Rushmore facilities. New laundry/latrine building is excellent. Wi-fi needs following: THE ELECTRONICS PACKAGE IS MOUNTED UNDER THE EAVE OF THE OFFICE BLDG, AND THERE IS A LONG RUN OF COAX UP TO THE ANTENNA; MOST OF THE SIGNAL IS LOST IN THIS LINE! MOVE THE ELECTRONICS PACKAGE RIGHT UP ADJACENT TO THE ANTENNA - PLACE IT IN A WEATHERPROOF HOUSING - AND THE SIGNAL WILL BE FINE! Suggest campground officials cut 'n paste this and give it to Services to get the Geeks at Best Buy to fix it! I discussed this with the hostess, and she told me the install was done by the Geek Squad. I used an outdoor antenna to access the weak signal, and the service itself is OK, just need to get rid of that long transmission line. Otherwise a #1 FamCamp! Base itself is really nice, too. Excellent fitness center, pool, running opportunities, all neat & tidy!

A very small 6 space, nicely paved park with a very attractive family picnic/game area with toilet facilities behind site. There is room for two or three additional trailers, if you choose to park on the grass or pavement next to site #1 or #6. although this is not advertised, I have seen other campers do this, and "borrow", with permission, 15 Amp power and use a "Y" for grabbing some water from the adjacent power/water stanchions. Indoor rec people are very nice, and there are no camp host nazi's...you are on your own. Quiet base, it has had its share of problems (Feb-June 08) with its B-52 nuclear surety inspections, and people are very businesslike, yet very cordial. No laundry at site, but facilities are on base. Good Commisary and BX. Would certainly return.

A real hidden gem! Sits way out at the northwest corner of this cold war era B-52/ICBM base, now hosts a tanker wing, soon to become host for some of the USAF's newest UAV's. Sites are super wide, airy, LOTS of open space, and quiet as it gets. Superb fitness center plus (adjacent to park) paved walking/biking/running trails. Easy access from both gates. Cable TV, too, even though there are several good reception local channels as well. Nice, CLEAN, although small restroom/shower/laundry building. Rates are unbelievably low for what you get, and if you have an age 62+ Nat'l Park Pass, you only pay $6 a night! Have not seen a better value in ANY military RV park. Grand Forks is a beautiful small city, pretty area, home to U of ND. Lots of new shopping with all the Big Boxes, even Starbucks! Will return for sure! 5 stars!

When we arrived at Malmstrom we went to the new campground, but it was full. The host was very hepful; he told us to check out the on-base camp, which had openings. The hostess there was super nice, said we could pick any open site. Picked #21, and saw that obviously it was an old, and tired camp. But, the sites in the older camp were quite large...you had a good distance from your neighbor. The scenery was very mice - we looked out on a broad, open field. I walked over to Outdoor Rec the next morning to pay and asked about wifi, paving the site, etc. He explained the budget problems Services was having, and I fully understood. USAF is at war, and the $$$'s aren't there. He reminded me that the base was keeping the old camp open simply because the new one is often sold out. Wifi was available at the base library - very nice - as well as at the Lodging office, 24/7, and the food court at the BX, 9AM-7PM M-Sun. A great value at $13 a night. Great Falls is a nice little town. Oh yes, one problem...there isn't a base laundry, although you could sneak into the lodging guest quarters. Nearest laundry - a good one - is in town, about 5 miles from base. There was quite a bit of vacant commercial property right outside the gate - a great opportunity for some enterprising retiree to build and operate "Main Gate Laundry"!

Famcamp is wedged between a newer housing area, the TLF houses, and the Dep't of Energy's solar energy research antenna farm. Camp itself is pleasant, but its age shows. Appears to be on land that once was the base trailer park, or an older housing area with houses gone. Restrooms are minimal - shower in men's room is really old, probably 30 years or so, and not well maintained, but shower itself was fine. Sale of propane is a very nice amenity! Lady in charge of the campground is extremely helpful, and is quick to point out that a nearly 100% refurbishment is due this summer! (2008). Wi-Fi is non-existant, although campground-wide wi-fi is scheduled as part of park upgrade this summer. Commissary operates 24/7, 0900-1900, also a very nice perk! The Commissary, BX, and Shopette/Auto Care center/Class VI and new automated car wash are all in a row, easy to access, just down the road, going west, from the Famcamp. BX and Commissary are very good. Class VI wine/beer selection is excellent - lots of microbrews, impports, great selection of New Mexico wines and others as well. All the usual hard liquor selections. Base itself is very clean. Great TV reception - analog & digital - from Sandia Peak antenna farm right behind famcamp. Base is right IN Albuquerque, and easy to get to via the Wyoming Street gate, heading north. BTW you'll intersect Central Avenue, the old Route 66 - WELL worth the drive into downtown, as well as eastward. Lots of old historic motels, diners, great neon sineage. Plenty of space near Famcamp if you like to run/jog. Well equipped fitness center, though pretty old. Would definitely stay there again!

Clean as a whistle!! Huge turn around area for backing in...nice tables, private trash kiosks, and easy to find. Only drawback is that there isn't any shower, bath or latrine facilities at the camp. Commissary and BX are across the street and within walking distance. No camp host - check in and out at the bowling alley, apparently open 24 hours a day. Can't beat the value for $11. No wifi, however there is service at the library, and also there are four computers with wired access available for guest use at the base lodging office lobby. They work very well.

Just six miles west of Alamogordo on US70. We used main gate...enter on the right hand lane. If closed, beep your horn and the civilian rent-a-guard will move the cones, check your ID, and wave you in. Very nice folks on the gate! Take your first left, into base housing, then your next left, go to end of road, take right turn and then first left into RV park. EZ to find. Base people are super friendly. Base is clean, tidy, and on the grow! Certainly more happening now than last time here in 2004. New mission is takeing place with retirement of the stealths. Relatively new BX, very nice, and older but VERY clean and well stocked (wide aisles!!) commisary. Park itself very clean - paved sites, full, easy hookups including real (not satellite) cable TV with 70+ channels. Wi-fi, probably from base housing, is weak, but obtainable if you go outside or use a small wifi antenna. I'm writing this online from site #22. Very nice, easy going hostess...super helpful. Lots of comments from other patrons as to how nice Holloman is. Based on what we've seen, we decided to do a full week here rather than press on for another 300 miles to Davis Monthan where we're told there is still a 3 to 6 day dry camp wait. Right now Holloman is about 50-60% full. Would definitely recommend it!

We stayed at Fairchild for the first time Sat-Mon, 7-9 July. We had read the reviews, were aware of the previous problems, and experienced much the same as has been recently reported by visitors in July 2007. I went to the Outdoor Rec office Monday the 9th and made several suggestions, alongst them being to place a sign along with a pad of registration slips and a deposit box ON THE WALL OF THE LATRINE BUILDING, and get rid of the post-mounted "Iron Ranger".
Secondly, retain a cadre of volunteer campers who will assume the job of Camp Host as it is at most other military campgrounds...i.e., BE THERE when the Outdoor Rec office is closed, and take the responsibilities seriously...represent the Base Commander, be available, and above all, be responsive and effective. The Space #1 "Camp Host" was indeed a young Lieutenant and spouse...he had an active duty day job and presumably was there during off-duty hours. However, on Saturday and Sunday the host was NOT there. There was an ass't Host, a retired Marine and spouse, who were very helpful, but they also worked fulltime weekdays.....but again, IF the outdoor rec office is open, that's the place to obtain assistance from...otherwise, it is the Camp Host, but they MUST either be there, or be dismissed from their volunteer status. I'm planning on copying these most recent reports and attaching mine, and mailing them to the Commander of the Fairchild Services Suqadron and finding out why this situation persists. It can easily be resolved with some attention from the Services Squadron, IMHO. Otherwise, Fairchild is a great base! Good Commissary and BX...great outdoor facilities, easy to get to Spokane, good place for running, too. Very clean base. Good selection of sites at the FamCamp, some trees and landscaping would sure help appearance.