- U.S. Military Recreation Facilities
- Florida
- Avon Park Air Force Range Outdoor Recreation
Avon Park Air Force Range Outdoor Recreation
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Location
Installation
Avon Park Air Force Range, Avon Park, FL
GPS Coordinates
27.68845, -81.35989
Directions
Directions
Head East from Avon Park on Fl 64 for approximately 10 miles. The road ends at the Gate to the joint AF and Florida Prison System complex.
Contact Information
Phone Number
(863) 452-4254/4251
Mailing Address
98 RANS, 529 South Blvd, Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida, 33825-9381
Website URL
Campground Information
Authorized Users
Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retired Military, 0-100% DAV, Purple Heart Recipients, Former POW, Veteran Caregivers, DoD civilians. Read this article on Authorized Users
Season
Year round.
Reservations
Not accepted.
Campground Information
There are two dry camping areas currently open (No Facilities). The former FamCamp has been converted to a work camp (full hook-ups, laundry, fishing and access to recreation facilities) located just inside the gate. Work camp occupancy requires a 4 month minimum commitment and an approved application. As of 1 Jan 2019 MWR is accepting applications for September 2019 When the range is in use, campers in the dry camping area are required to leave. A schedule is posted every Thursday for the following week. Area includes a wide range of outdoor activities and hunting. A paid recreation permit and safety briefing is required for access to the recreation area. The office is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. ---- Recreation permits range from $10 (day permit) - to $50 (annual permit).
Big Rig Friendly?
Amenities
- Tent Area
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Hiking
Site Information
Type of site | Spaces | Hook-ups | Daily | Weekly | Monthly |
Camper/Tent | ? | None | Free with Entry | N/A | N/A |
Other Information
Weather Information
Avon Park AF Range is a bombing and gunnery range. When not in use for training, the 106,000 acre facility is open to the public for hunting and recreation. Permits are required and proceeds are used to fund the MWR program. This is very rustic and rural camping.
Map
User reviews
February 2015
Overall rating
1.6
Location
3.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
3.0
Amenities/Facilities
1.0
Value
1.0
Overall Experience
1.0
I went to this campground on a week day and the security person at the gate told me that the campground office was closed and I could not enter unless I had a permit, My DOD ID card was not good enough. He was very pleasant and called someone to help me, so a volunteer that worked at the campground office came and also told me that I could not enter unless I had a permit. He was very nice and when I asked if he could show me the campground he consented and was very friendly, The campground for persons other than volunteers is way out in the middle of nowhere and very primative, I saw 3 old campers and a big tent that looked like it had been there for a long time. The campground had no water but a pump that didn't work and a old metal cargo container that was going to be showers once hooked up. The volunteers campground is just inside the main gate and very nice. When I inquired about the campground office hours, it sounded to me that the hours were sporadic and not very regular. In order to obtain a permit you have to call or come in person, and if the office is closed the phone call will be unanswered and its a long drive from Avon Park to the gate. Once you get your name on the books and have a permit, you can come and go any time, all you have to do is show your permit at the gate and sign a log book at the campground office, but getting the permit is an obsticle to say the least. Ever tho the volunteer that gave me the tour worked at the office where you obtain the permit, he could not issue me a permit when the office was closed. He told me that the office was supposed to be open on that day, but it was closed and not really sure when it was going to reopen, because it had no set days and hours of operation. I got the feeling that the volunteers had a good old boys club going and it was difficult to gain access. As for me, I checked it out and found out that I will never go back, and advise anyone else to stay away.
April 2011
(Updated: December 14, 2012)
Overall rating
1.6
Location
1.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
1.0
Amenities/Facilities
5.0
Value
1.0
Overall Experience
1.0
APAFR is really a nice facility (for volunteers). The portion open to anyone else is a place to park (for $15). There are several (10 I think) concrete full-service pads. These are for volunteers (4 mo commit) only. The unwashed rabble get primitive (NO facilities) parking. When we went to see, there were 5 unused pads and NO! we couldn't use one for the night. This seems to be a terrible waste of opportunities for military personnel and an obvious abuse of the taxparers money.
everyday, i'm an employee
Overall rating
5.0
Location
5.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
5.0
Amenities/Facilities
5.0
Value
5.0
Overall Experience
5.0
The campground information that reads "this area is no longer controlled by the USAF" is not in the least true. Except for the few areas that are state property, which mainly is the corrections and youth academy towards the main gate, most of APAFR is in fact federal property and controlled by the USAF. I work out there, so that's how I know.
June 2006
Overall rating
2.7
Location
1.0
Cleanliness/Hospitality
3.0
Amenities/Facilities
3.0
Value
3.0
Overall Experience
3.0
This place is a joke. It is ran by civilians and they could care less about you the retiree. I wanted to go in and look around and I was told that I had to purchase a membership to just look at the place. Don't waste your time. I can only rate this place as a -10.
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