Fort Chaffee RV Park

We stayed ON BASE as they DO take reservations for the on base site. Although I did not see the other location, I understand from the MP's they're fairly close. It was fairly difficult to find as there is NO signs. It's down a little alley, West of 23rd Street. It's full hook ups & quite a few sites next to a little pond. Very pretty setting. Cost is the same as the off site location, so the value is worth getting off I-40 for the night! The water hookup is below ground level & you need a "street key" to turn it on/off, so we just used our onboard water for the night. I'd stay there again for an overnight stay.

We had not stayed here before so this was a new experience. As long as you follow the directions, you will find the camp - new signs on some of the internal roads help. Once there at about 4:30PM we found the Camp Host gone, but two other men immediately came over to assist, one being an Army E-6. Both suggested taking an open site and just filling out a registration in the bathhouse/office, or seeing the host when he got back around 6. I said I'd like a treeless site so our rooftop satellite dish would work, and immediately the guy helping suggested a site that fit the bill perfectly. Roads in the camp are narrow and there is an open drainage ditch alongside the main road, making backing in to the sites along the road somewhat tricky, but it can be done. Overall we found the camp to be old and a little rundown, but really nice folks; an old, but clean bathhouse, newer shower enclosures, and plenty of hot water from good showerheads. Excellent local TV reception from several channels with an antenna. No wi-fi, but Verizon G3 network card worked great. The east portion of Fort Chaffee has been turned over to the local county/city (Barling, AR), and the streets have been upgraded, repaved, and the old WWII barracks now house many small businesses. Even though the campground is now on civilian land, Fort Chaffee still controls and oversees the park itself. Preference is given military, but civilians are allowed to use the park as well. Several fulltimers are in residence, but it appeared there was a set aside of a certain number of sites for military personnel. Since it was a Sunday when we checked in, the PX and Commissary were closed, and both were located on the 'Main Base' which required an ID to enter. LOTS of open land, very quiet, and a great place to run/walk if you're into exercise. The town of Barling is a 3-4 mile drive, and there is a good grocery store, CV's. Going west from Barling about 4 miles brings you to Ft. Smith with a big Wal-Mart, reasonably priced Shell gas & diesel, fast foods of all kinds, etc. I would stay here again. VERY quiet and peaceful at night.

The new host is in place and he is a really nice and accommodating gent. He seems to take care of the place like he owns it. The bath house and laundry area are immaculate with the newer type washer and dryers, 2 each, with zero cost to use. Most of the spots seemed to be taken by long term folks but there were several sites available which we were gingerly led to by the camp host. Easy back in with water, sewer and power, 30 amp service. Quiet park with designated quiet hours which are adhered to. The area is close to a number of state parks with ample fishing, hiking and wildlife watching.

Jim and Barb no longer host here. There is an interim host by the name of Harry but he is leaving soon. Really nice guy. At $8.50 a night this place is a real bargain, but VERY quiet. Seemed like a lot of empty trailers as we rarely saw anyone else. Two washers/dryers and they're FREE. A nice little clubhouse with a book/magazine/puzzle exchange and a microwave to use. The little px on post is ok but money-wise it's best to go a little farther to the nearby Walmart. They have a theater on post but we were told that they never show any movies there. This RV park takes civilians and is not on post but the area was an army post that was bought by the National Guard and many of the old post buildings are now occupied by commercial businesses. The new RV parks on post are not open yet. Something about the water tower being the holdup. There is a small post museum nearby that was interesting which even includes a barber shop where Elvis had a haircut when he was stationed here when he first enlisted. There is no cable but you can get a few stations with an antenna. My verizon aircard worked pretty well most of the time. We had a 50 amp site. You can't get USPS mail forwarded to you here-you have to go to the nearby Barling Post office and get mail sent to you General Delivery.

I concur with all the other comments, but would like to add that there is a nice lake to fish and new nature center also a great nature trail to walk to help keep the old heart pumping, all this is just down the road from the camp site. Early and late you will see deer and sometimes turkey roaming about. If traveling through or here for a visit, it's the best bargain in town.

Agree with previous post...Nice RV Park. Jim and Barb great camp hosts. Free, new washers and dryers are wonderful. Points of interest and shopping easy to find. Small PX on post has small, but well stock selection. The new "short term" (2 weeks max.stay) park looks nice, but not open yet as they are waiting on new picnic tables and grills. Half the park is occupied by regular Civilians, but it is on city land now. Here's hoping they restrict the new campground to the military..active, NG, reserves, retired, etc. New CG located on the containment area. Hopefully, all new road work will be finished soon, but the signs to the park are great and gets you right there. We'd stay again, if traveling I-40 west in the future.

Easy to find, and hosts were very friendly and helpful. RVs are parked at all kinds of angles due to there being no effort to create level sites. We had great difficulty getting leveled on our site as it was much higher in the rear. After several attempts (and totally destroying a jack pad in very soft ground) we finally got parked at a sharp enough angle to get leveled using several planks I carry, but we had to be careful entering and exiting the motorhome as even with our highest booster step the entry door was uncomfortably high off the ground -- tolerable for only a few nights. We would stay again, hopefully in a different site! :)

We stayed at Ft Chaffee RV Park for 5 nights. The park is clean, quite and well maintained. The online directions in this guide are spot on plus Park Host (CSM) Jim Burdick has posted excellent signage along the route to guide you into the park. Jim and his wife, Barbara became Camp Hosts a year ago this month and have really whipped the place into shape. Jim is extremely helpful in ensuring your rig fits into the best spot, he assists with parking your rig, will provide a map of the surrounding area and tips on area attractions. Jim helped us select the best route from the park to Branson. Jim and his wife Barbara surely made our stay enjoyable. Kudos to you both!

Agree with other posts. The campground host, Jim, is a fine host and very helpfull with information. The showers and laundry facilities are top notch. I went to see the new campground under construction and it will have 20/30/50 electric with the sites gravel pads. A few of the sites would only be suitable for small rigs due to dificulity of backing in to the site. If traveling from the west on 22, just as soon as you cross the railroad tracks, take the first right and then the frist right and follow the sighs to the RV Park. If traveling from the east on 22, take the second road to the left which will be just before you get to the railroad tracks.

Agree with other posts. The campground host is to be commended for his work at the campground. The shower/bath facilities also had a free washer and dryer. They were kept in excellent condition. Civilians are allowed, but military has priority. There are quite a few "homesteaders", but plenty of room for drifters like us. Good southern exposure for satellite TV and internet dishes is available. The new, "short term" (no more than two weeks) campground is on the main post right under the red and white checked water tower. It isn't open yet, but when it does, you'll need to go through the main gate to get there. It is within walking distance to the PX.

The Fort Chaffee RV Park is located in an area of Fort Chaffee that has been turned over to the nearby Cities of Fort Smith and Barling, but the campground remains under Fort Chaffee control. The Camp Host, Jim (a retired Army CSM) is very accommodating, willing to help, has the best interest of the campground at heart and keeps it maintained. The bathhouse and laundry is clean and well-kept. This park is a great place to stay while you see the local historic attractions. New signage makes finding the campground much easier. The host tells me a new campground (actually, two new campgrounds) are being built on Ft. Chaffee proper. Visited one of the new campgrounds - construction not completed, but should be soon. It will be nice; level, full hookup, 50 amp, pads, etc. Didn't visit the second campground. Jim should be commended on a job well done. Stop in to have a cup of coffee with him.

This campground surprised me. It is located in an area of Fort Chaffee that has been turned over to the nearby town of Fort Smith, but the campground remains under Ft. Chaffee control. Most of the residents appear to be long term in their RVs. The host, a retired Army CSM, told me anybody can stay, even anybody off the street. Contrary to the "book", some of the sites are 50 amp, and all have sewer. In some cases, water connections are shared with another camper. The park is a great place to be to see the local attractions, and Ft. Smith has a lot of interesting history. Finding the campground is not easy. DON'T go in the main gate; you'll be turned around. If you come in from the east on Hwy 22, go past the main gate and turn onto the "post" at the next street to your left. If coming from the west on Hwy 22 (Rogers Blvd), turn right about 1 mile after you pass the Hwy 255 junction (you'll cross over some RR tracks immediately before turning to the right). Whether you come from the east or west, enter (there's no gate and no street sign, but it's Mahogany Street), take the first right (no street sign there either, but later you'll see that it's Ft. Chaffee Rd). Continue for 1.1 mile, past a long row of warehouse type buildings, and turn right onto Darby Street. Continue straight to the dead end, where the campground is. The host tells me a new campground (actually, two new campgrounds) are being built on Ft. Chaffee proper. The first to open will be about 20 sites intended for short stays, like 2 weeks. It will be nice; level, full hookup, 50 amp, pads, etc. The second campground will be for longer stays.