Maxwell/Gunter AFB FamCamp

We stayed here two nights in route to Brunswick GA. A very well kept campground. Will try and stay there anytime we are going through Montgomery.

Maxwell Fam Camp is a hidden gem waiting to be polished. We called ahead and talked with Rick to acquire reservations. On our previous visit in 2007, I failed to be impressed with the operation of the camp or its amenities. Fast forward to 2013; today we have new management and a new addition added to the park. With the energy and desire to make this Fam Camp the best it can be Rick is making a difference. The new addition offers several pull-thru sites. True some have the patio cover over the tables. And true for some the sites might be too close together. It all depends on how well you can manage your rig. There are few trees in the newer area, but then we can’t have everything.
In addition to the historical history of the city of Montgomery, there is more to offer the Rv’r who wishes to sit back, enjoy nature. Adjacent to the park are two six acre ponds. If you prefer an afternoon of fishing or just sitting at one of the many benches enjoying the sounds of nature this Fam Camp is a hidden hide-a-way. Many of our veterans Rv’r opt to stay in the newer addition of the park. There are several units set aside in the older section for those going to school at Maxwell. So they do have some homestead type units. But as long as the Fam Camp has plenty of room for the retiree to set up for a few days I have no qualms making room for those who need housing on a ‘short’ term bases. I did discuss with Rick the ambiance of the park and the impression it makes as you drive into the camp. Especially with the homestead family having laundry hanging on the cloths line adjacent to the unit. The laundry facilities were adequate with four washers and dryers. One addition that we have not seen in other Fam Camps was the addition of an ice machine in the laundry room. There were several guests stocking up on ice before they headed back out on the road. This is something you don’t often see in a Fam Camp. Bath facilities were very nice, with each bath having its own separate shower room attached. In conclusion this Fam Camp had a lot to offer. It has several historic sites to visit. The visitor’s center is downtown in a renovated train station. The camp itself offers the traveler fishing and boating on site for a reasonable fee. No license required for fishing ‘catch and release’. Maxwell AFB Fam Camp is a well worth the value for your camping needs. The PX and Commissary are very small, but adequate.

I would agree with everything the previous writer wrote. We stayed in the new section, and my dog which is a guardian, was barking all the time, because of the close pads. It seemed that every camper had a dog and walked them by our site. I had to put her inside. The free wifi was a plus, but I was surprised at the amount of campers, the place was almost full.

Great camp. We stayed here for two weeks on each occasion. The sites in the new section are very easy to maneuver into; all pull through FHUs with level concrete hook-ups. They are a bit closely-spaced, but no worse than some resorts that charge a great deal more. The old section - mostly long-termers - could use some policing; big rigs could have difficulty getting into them because of the narrow roads/sites and the canopy over the picnic tables in that section. The amenity rating is for the bathhouse, which is made up of individual rooms rather than being communal; did not use the laundry. Great water pressure; make sure you use a regulator to connect to the water hook-up. Commissary conveniently close by. GPS may route you through Kelly or Day gates; recommend coming in through Maxwell Gate instead. Nice little air park deserves to be explored. The nearby lakes make for a nice place to stroll, with benches and swings along the rim. Fast wi-fi (free). Very easy access to downtown Montgomery.

We stayed here for 3 days Thu. thru Sunday. We came in the Maxwell Gate which was an easy go to the CG. Go to the end of Maxwell keeping to the left as you go. At the end or T junction turn left and follow Kelley St. passing the BX and Commissary which will be on your left as you travel. Nearly at the end of this street and just before the gate you’ll make a right and follow the road as described on the web site. The park is nice as described. We stayed in the newer area. Wi-Fi was great. The water pressure was high with a warning on the window at the office. The office, we couldn’t catch open which was a negative. The attendant was gone a lot. The laundry’s need serious attention. One of the machines we use, new area, would only fill about a third of the way. We put a sign on it. The trash in the lower laundry area was over flowing when we got there and was worse when we left. Venting seemed to be a problem in both laundries. Cleaning behind the machines hasn’t happened in quite some time. Other than that we had a pleasant stay.

After calling a number posted on the door a call was returned almost immediately and we met the host at the office within 10minutes. We had already chosen our site and he said that was fine. It was a very nice area and enjoyed even playing golf at the base. Overall we were very pleased with the campground.

We spent a weekend in this park. Tried to call in on Saturday to inquire about space and got voice mail and no call back (didn’t expect one because it was the weekend). Pulled in and checked at the office and found that there was a list of open spaces. We took Space 59, one of the newer pull thrus. The space was nice and wide with a level, concrete hardstand, picnic table and full hook-ups. The WiFi antenna was next door so reception wasn’t an issue. The park is set up with two areas, one older which appears to be longer term residents and the new area with more of a transient population. Recommend that when you are entering the base to go through the Maxwell Gate, past the Visitor Center. This gate has the commercial vehicle entrance and it is a straight shot through the entrance. As we exited on Monday morning we were able to exit the Kelley Gate, which is open on weekdays. While you are in Montgomery take some time to see the city. Downtown is surprisingly pretty and there is a wealth of history to see. We had dinner in “The Alley” in a pretty good BBQ joint; it is located across the street from the Montgomery baseball team field. My thanks to the staff for keeping the park so clean and neat.

Spent one night while on the road. Called in the afternoon and asked if there was space. They said yes, gave us a spot and said if we get there after they were closed to drop the money in the drop box. This works like a lot of the other parks that don't have Camp Host. We used the lat long to get there. It took us to one of the gates, the gate guard gave us quick instructions on how to get to the Fam Camp. It was a long way but his directions were accurate. However he didn't mention that as we passed the Exchange there would be an Active Barrier. So when we got to the barrier I wasn't sure if I should go thru. I turned at the BX and ended up at the Gas Station where I saw a AP and asked him where the Camp was. He confirmed I should go thru the barrier and around the end of the runway. We did, the road was a little rough, bumps but slowing down helped. As said before it would be a lot easier in the light. Park was great as everyone has said. Antenna TV was pretty good wish they had cable. But park was nice and big rig friendly for sure. I have a Class B. $20 isn't a lot but it wasn't any better then other camps that charge less.

The RV park has a lot of sites filled with students in schools on base. Rick, the park manager was very nice and we had one of the new sites, (#60). The free WiFi worked great and the private, bathrooms with a shower were very nice. They had a free ice machine and .75 washers and dryers. BBQ grilles were installed at the sites while we were there. My wife said the water didn't taste great. and, we both noticed a smell that Rick said was from a nearby pulp mill.

Base is on opposite side of expressway from downtown Montgomery which is convenient, but not a lot of shopping in immediate vicinity of base. Major shopping area about 10 miles north. FamCamp itself is very nice. Spots are close together, but did not detract from our visit. Area is lovely, quiet and pretty. Dogs loved the adjacent grassy area and we didn't experience the dog or doggy waste problem mentioned earlier. Older of the 2 bath facilities is dated, but clean. Manager is very helpful and nice. Stopped going and coming from Tiffin in Red Bay. 2nd visit could only get dry camp, but manager took the time to 'look around' to see if anyone had vacated early. Unfortunately no one had, but it was nice of him to make the effort.

R.L. left this review using the Directory software: I called on 2-14-2011 for a reservation on 2-28-2011. Rick took my reservation, and was very cordial and friendly. He told me there would be no problem if we arrived early or late. Arrived as scheduled, but after sundown, and found the site difficult to find in the dark on our first visit. Daylight would have made a big difference. Flashing lights at the Kelly St. gate and on the end of the runway tend to intimidate if you're towing; you like to know you won't be driving into a dead end somewhere. On your first visit, try to arrive in the daylight; it will be much easier to find (This is true of arriving anywhere, not just here). The park itself is well laid out with lots of wide open grassy fields adjacent to the sites, a playground at the end, and a small, man-made lake at the other end. It is very clean and well-kept. It's a great place for our two grandsons to play! At the other end, they are expanding, putting in 13 new sites. Their WiFi network works great, with a very strong signal at our site (56). They are planning upgrade to the WiFi network, anyway. (Being a computer guy, I prefer when networks are secured, but open networks are fine, if you are careful; i.e., banking should not be done on an open network. Hopefully, they will install security as part of the upgrade.) Rest rooms and showers are in individual small rooms with excellent privacy. Laundry room could be better - there is no place to sit or fold clothes. But, rates were very reasonable ($.75 per load in washers and dryers). We found our stay here to be such a pleasant experience that we decided to stay a whole week instead of the four days originally planned!

G.P. left this review using the Directory software: We were en-route to FL. Stopped here for one night. We called about 4 hours prior to arrival and were given a site number by phone. Staff very friendly and helpful. Several new concrete pads were under construction as we arrived.

We stayed here on our way to Biloxi & again on our way home. We had no problem leaving a msg & having the mgr return our call to make a reservation. The campground is expanding. Nice concrete pads, level lots. Great wifi. The shower house is exceptionally clean. Separate restrooms with showers. Laundry was spotless. Also has an ice machine. The mgr was helpful with info on the area. There's no cable but plenty of TV off antenna. We'll stay here again so we can see the Montgomery area.

We're on the road and have tried to contact host and left several msgs several days in a row and no calls were ever returned. Guess we'll bypass this park and look for one that will answer calls and take reservations. US Navy retiree

G.M. left this review using the Directory software: The office phone is hardly ever answered and they don't seem to return phone calls on a timely basis. The sites are decently laid out. The base facilities are typical (excellent) for an AFB.

Second time here, and the addictions of sites are greatly improved over old sites. The old sites have permanent canopies installed which can present a problem with slide outs on door side. The new ones have no such interference. Nice level sites with large connected patio pad, all concrete. I enjoyed the jogging trail on side of road, just great for jogging or riding a bike. Facilities on the new addiction all have private one person bathrooms. Laundry has three washers, three dryers, costing 75 cents. Free ice machine.

OK...Great campground. Problem is, it is saturated with senior officers going to school and they don't think that they have to be responsible for their pets (dogs). We are full timers (senior officer retired Navy) and checked in for a couple of days. Just touring around..spot was a little tough but nothing we couldn't deal with and knew in advance that we would need extensions. No problem. Had been on the road about 3 hours so our pups (2) need to do their "thing". We got positioned and parked and took our pups out for a stroll (poop bags in hand). First thing we noticed was MUCH dog crap in the grass around the RV's and then one dog charged ours because "it" was not on a leash. I think that a leash is required but not sure because we were never given any rules for the park. Maybe it's OK for your dog to crap where people walk (and no human pickup) and not be on a leash. Don't think so...then later another dog (bulldog) came into our space (at our RV no leash) and our border collie (on a leash) went nuts. Now I know that dogs should be socialized but when an aggressive bulldog charges...anyway we will definitely NOT be back because of the dog issue. Could be a GREAT park for retired (they know dog etiquette). Park host, or whatever he is, SHOULD enforce pet rules and he doesn't. Overworked..?? I think not. Leaving 2 days before we should. SUCKS man!!

Follow the directions carefully as the area adjacent to Maxwell is under construction. Base is guarded by Air Force SP's who provide a map and directions. Camp is on far west side of the base, adjacent to golf course and running track. Outdoor activities abound, although BX and Commissary will require a vehicle as they are about 2-3 miles back to the main part of the base. Very helpful camp host. Arrived mid afternoon and camp was 100% sold out, but there were four overflow sites (no sewer) and we got the last one! Most sites were back in, and about half the camp had little or no tree cover so rooftop satellite dishes work well. Plenty of local TV channels with an antenna are available. No wi-fi, but Verizon 3G card works fine. Camp Manager said half of the camp sites are reserved for students who attend one of several schools - Squadron Officer School, Air Command & Staff, and Air War College, and a few others. These are virtually always sold out except for between school times. The other half is your basic FamCamp for retirees, TDY's, military on leave, and a handful of assigned personnel awaiting housing. Because the camp allows all eligible users to make reservations up to a year in advance, and its central location on I-65 & I-85 the camp stays near sold out all the time. Wise to always make a reservation. Will definitely stay here again. Lots of good facilities on base, although the usual local stuff - fast foods, shopping, etc., are several miles away on I-65 & US-231.

It is a very nice campground with some minor drawbacks. Some of the newer sites do not have any shade and I can imagine that would be a big factor in the summer. Not so much while I was there. They have added a "trailer" type building that has six new shower rooms. Each with sink and toilet. Across the end of this is a new laundry room with three washers and dryers. 75 cents in each. i used the older laundry facility which is the same price. The newer bathrooms could use some better cleaning, but when I checked them it was early in the day and maybe had not been cleaned for the day. I think the spaces are too close together, but most were occupied although I did not see that many people actually coming to their rigs at night. Water pressure is very high and with a pressure regulator inline on my hose, it kept shutting the water flow off. The only way to get it back was to checking around, visual, I did not see any regulators on the hoses of other rigs. I put my gauge on it and was reading about 100 PSI. I gave everything a four because it is a nice place. As stated, some minor drawbacks.

As mentioned before, very popular and usually full with students/active duty. Strongly suggest calling for a reservation. Office is not open on weekends and the instructions posted on door can be confusing to newcomers, but Rick leaves his cell phone # posted and can be called during the weekend and after office hours. We were very fortunate as we were coming in on the weekend without reservations and only thing left was overflow. But this turned out to be great as the overflow has a beautiful view of the lake and with the E/W hookups we were just fine. The lake has a nice walking path all around it with lots of egrets and heron. Although the base has no designated paved bike paths, we found on weekends it is quiet enough to enjoy a very nice bike ride all around the base. The Selma Montgomery national historical trail with its almost new Visitor Center proved to be very informative and enjoyable.