Fort Lewis Travel Camp

T.P. left this review using the Directory software: - Visited for 3 days excellent camp. Staff is very friendly and professional. It is a good thing they have cable because over the air reception is limited and due to the very wooded nature of the park there is no satellite reception. You will need to pick up a converter box when you check in to use the cable. The box is free but you have to leave a $150.00 deposit on the box. They run a paper credit card slip when you pick up the box and return the slip when you bring back the box. Will use this camp again.

Very much a 'vacation spot' vs those of us that are full-time...we had to move 4 times the first two weeks! The Adventure Center store is stocked and people were pleasant and accommodating but their reservation system sucks! 2 RV's were going to have literally flip sites for one day before one couple left!!-the RV'ers worked it out. They need to update their systems! Most sites were sorta flat but some were way uneven. The lake with fishing and party on boats was noisy some days and some military helicopter practice could be watched. I picked up trash in every site we were in but then watched them blow leaves on empty sites the last visit thru. Watch out for tree sap in many sites and you can tell they haven't ever washed a table there. You can have mail or UPS/FED-Ex delivered at Adventure Center. Our Verizon MI-FI was fine as you have to go to commons room to get wi-fi. Both sets of camphosts were visible and available and helpful. 2 HUGE dog parks on main base and the Pet Brigade offers many services like kenneling or baths etc. We would come back here again vs McChord and just try to make reservations 6 months in advance!

This camp was great. We first went to McChord AFB and it was full. We drove to Ft Lewis and they had several spaces that could accommodate our 40' motorhome. The staff who checked us in were very pleasant. They had us drive around the park and select our site. The site was full hookup with cable included. It was clean, quiet, forested. Our only negative is the location. It is 40 miles south of Seattle. We spent a lot of time driving back and forth to visit our son, do sightseeing and attend a Mariners baseball game. However, this was the closest camp and we enjoyed our stay.

Stayed there two years and both times the reservation was messed up. They use a computer method and a big book where they line out sites taken. This year, I made a reservation, then called up well in advance to modify and was told it was OK. Once I got there, checked in and looked to extend another day and was told that even my first modification was not OK. The gray haired woman behind the desk was RUDE RUDE RUDE and basically told me that their information was in conflict so I could not extend and it was just too bad for me. So in essence, their mistake, I had to cut my stay short. There is no excuse for this sort of thing. I also was hassled when returning the cable box regarding a missing piece that we never got when we checked the unit out. So, beware if you are thinking of staying here. Your reservation will likely be goofed up and you will not be treated well. I like the setting but I do not like being treated so horribly while here. The gray haired woman was unwilling to discuss the screw up with me further and basically just shut me down. There is no excuse to be this way and once there, they should do what they can to accommodate vets once we are there. Hopefully this situation will improve as I really like staying at Ft. Lewis.

This place was above what we expected after reading the posts from a year ago. The site was perfect, all hookups worked with no issues. The main common bathroom/laundry combo was clean and useful. Showered and then was able to do laundry while I caught up on my emails with the wireless. The camp was full and we weren't able to stay an extra night as we had hoped. It it was our own fault for not doing it quick enough. Will stay here when we come back to the area.

I was initially put off by some of the photos posted on this site, but as it is the nearest facility for our needs, we took it anyway. We were pleasantly surprised. The camp is clean and well kept. Access was easy and our site was spacious, paved and clean. The only problem arose when I discovered the electric hookup had only 50 AMP and I have a 30 AMP rig. I went to the camp recreation store and was able to get an adapter. Problem solved. The registration desk/store is a actually a sporting goods store. They have equipment for most anything you'd care to do. It was fun browsing. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will use this facility again when the opportunity arises.

Great park from the standpoint of privacy, beauty of surroundings, security, mostly large sites, and the overwhelming smell of pine! Be sure you have reservations in the summer as this place is packed particularly on weekends from May until October. Direct phone to camp office is 253-967-8282 and Sharon seems to be the most knowledgeable of the staff. Directions are correct in review below (make sure you go to the NORTH gate), but if you don't have a military vehicle registration decal on your windshield, you will be directed to the Visitor Center next to the main gate for a decal and/or visitor pass. My husband had to jockey our fifth wheel back and forth behind parked cars in the VC parking lot while he waited for me to go through a line of 50 people for my turn! Security here is high right now. Cost is ridiculous compared to military parks across the nation. 50AMP and lakeside is $25 a nite and if you want 50AMP, you will be on a lakeside site as there are only 3 others in the park. Lakeside doesn't mean you can see the lake, BTW. Most sites seem pretty level, but be sure your RV will fit on the site you are assigned -- some are pull throughs with plenty of space or NO space at all. One van was parked on a corner pull through and had to put up orange cones so people wouldn't run over them! Very tight, lots of curves getting through the park. Does need a field day to clean up not only overgrowth, but trash and cigarette butts. Two docks for boating and fishing, nice log cabins, plenty of woods/shade, noisy if on the road side of the park as freeway is not far either, Bistro on the other side of the lake is nearest restaurant. And you will not want to leave the base during rush hours, as the traffic on I-5 near any of the base exits and the dome in Tacoma is at a standstill then and on the weekends (expect delays wherever you go!). Did not use the shower/laundry as we are self contained. Staff very helpful to accommodate our extended time needs due to VA tests. Nice adventure rental center as part of camp office -- can rent just about anything for summer fun.

I was at first put off by the photos shown, but decided to tough it out. Surprise, Surprise! The camp has relatively recently been refurbished and is remarkable. The showers and bathroom facilities are new and spotlessly maintained. All lanes and sites are paved and well maintained. I find this campground superior to many civilian campgrounds I have used.

This is one of the best RV parks we have ever stayed at. To begin with, the sites are fairly level. The majority are quite large, wooded lots with a picnic table and grill. The combined bathroom/laundry/computer/TV building is well maintained and very clean. Cable TV reception is excellent. Fairly close access to both the commissary and PX. Definitely a great deal at $20.00 per night. We will definitely return.

We landed here without reservations - bad mistake in the summer! We moved 3 times but the staff was very helpful in locating spaces for us to park our big rig. Lots of amenities on the joint bases (McChord & Lewis and don't forget Camp Murray) and a good place to play tourist from - Seattle, Tacoma, Mt. Ranier. Staff is pleasant and helpful with accommodations and suggestions for touring the area. MWR office has discount tickets for local attractions. Facilities were clean. The only down side was the laundry - there are 2 in the park. In the 2 weeks we were there, one had all 4 washers working and only 1 dryer. The other had 2 washers working and 4 dryers. Very family friendly park and there seemed to be some permanent residents (active duty?) there. We'd certainly return.

Stayed in site 122 - very noisy with road traffic. As with prev reviews, very clean facilities, camp host, site 123, very helpful. Grounds definitely need "field day" to clean and trim brush overgrowth. Super nice restroom, showers, laundry, and common room. Disappointed it is locked at 2200hrs, difficult for late arrivals when services are locked. Agree with assessment of lake sites. Overall excellent park. Directions are lacking - didn't find any signage until we actually entered the park area.

Directions: Use exit 120 and take the ramp to North Fort Lewis. Go thru the gate, ID required, and a right at the first light. Bear right after 100 yards on to NCO Beach road. Campground on the left after about a quarter mile. We stayed three nights in space 202. WiFi is not available campground-wide. If you need it, make sure you reserve a site in the "commons". Staff is helpful. The office is staffed by competent, knowledgeable MWR employees. Did not see the Camp Host. Not sure what the duties are. Phone number has changed: We used (253) 967-7744. Rates have also changed. Facilities on post are first class. Campground has tight corners but navigable if you are careful and go slowly. We had a campsite near some apparent "homesteaders" The classic definition of "trailer trash". A real sty. Surprising that the management let this occur. Small children lived there too. The Bistro, a nearby pizza/pasta restaurant on post was not open in spite of the brochure which said that it was.

This is a great facility, it has all of the amenities you could want but the park needs trimming. It is so full of brush that the trees even lay in next to your unit. The stumps are right behind and beside your unit and that makes it easy to hit them with your rig. They charge extra for every day you stay for being close to the lake. You can't even see the lake from most of the sites. They also charge extra for 50 amp service. There is a nice BX and commissary at this base and it is close to the fam camp. We never needed the bathrooms so I can't rate that. The wi-fi don't work in the campground except for about 4 spots. Someone stated there was a discount for monthly rates but I never seen that. The staff was helpful.

E.L. left this review using the Directory software: - The recent change is fees for the campground resulted in a split fee depending on your location. 50 amp sites near the water are $25 per day. 50 amp sites away from the water are $22.50. 30 amp sites are $20 per day. There is a discount for paying for the month. Starting in May, stay is limited to two weeks, but if sites are available, you can move to another site. The folks at the Northwest Adventure Center handle reservations, and are a great group. The campground is one of the best I've visited on the West Coast. There is plenty of room between the sites so that your not on top of your neighbors. The Wi-Fi is limited to the commons area. Restrooms are always clean.

This is a nice, clean well-maintained park. The office staff sometimes act as if they are bothered by your presence--maybe it was just a bad day. Wifi works only in the laundry area in the 100 section. The main base is on the other side of the interstate which makes things a bit inconvenient going back and forth (show ID'd every time) to the commissary and exchange. I recommend this park for a great stop over to see parts of Olympic National Park, Seattle/Tacoma, and the Puget Sound area.

We spent two nights there in July and enjoyed it. The site was level, paved, and spacious. There were shrubs planted to provide privacy from neighboring campers. My granddaughter loved riding her bike along the nice paved roads in the camp. The sparkling clear lake was about 30 feet behind my camper. A really nice place to stop when going up to Vancouver. I found the staff to be helpful and cooperative.

I agree with some of the past reviews. The staff is disinterested or lack knowledge in providing services to the customers. They have two camp hosts who have homesteaded at this campground for a number of years. It appears that the rules do not apply to these people. They park on the grass in front of signs that clearly state no parking on the grass. Their sites look like they have moved in and are parking all of their belongings under and around their rigs. The wifi is not strong and only available in the commons building. Reservations are lost on a regular basis with little or no explanation. On the plus side the area is convenient to the base exchange and commissary which are both within a few miles of the park. I would stay here again because it is the only park close to the Tacoma area and the price is reasonable.

We enjoyed our two-week stay at this beautiful travel camp. A word of caution; DO NOT use the North Fort Lewis exit if you don't have a valid DoD sticker on your vehicles - you'll be turned around at the gate. The visitor center is on the other side of the exit, on the Fort Lewis exit. Signage is good except for the turn-in to the park, just look for the first left turn after the Travel Camp sign. Check in was fast and easy, but don't expect much if you get the bored-looking young man who talks in monosyllables. Sites are a mixed bag of 30 and 50A, we had a large site, but it had 30A (but worked well). Most of the back-ins are sloped, so bring blocks for leveling. The sites are generally well shielded from one another, and have tables and grills. The MWR building where check-in is located also has a good-sized store with RV supplies and equipment rentals. The sites are quiet and dark at night, and Verizon cell and Aircard worked very well. Cable TV is provided; however, because of the cable company's requirement to have a digital box, you'll only get 20 or so channels. A good place to stay, albeit a bit pricey for military location, with excellent on-post support facilities.

Exit I-5 at Exit 120 and enter NORTH FT. LEWIS. Once on post, stay in the right lane, turn right at the light and veer right at the Y. We like campgrounds where we aren't looking into the windows of the RV next to us; most of these sites are woody and spacious. Ft. Lewis is huge, with excellent facilities, including the PX, libraries and a hospital that is probably one of the best the military has to offer, at least according to the commander. We haven't noticed many long-term campers here, so if they are here, they haven't settled in with stairs, plants, sheds, etc. The lake by the FamCamp is peaceful and attracts lots of fishing. The biggest negatives are having to show IDs when going from North area to main post, and the $20 per day is a bit steep compared to other campgrounds.

D.W. left this review using the Directory software: This is a great campground that is turning into a "fulltimers permanent living area". A number of people are doing the "camp site shuffle" on a regular basis. Some oversight and some specific regulations need to be laid down. There is NO policy regarding the number of pets. They need one badly! Right now one site has 5 dogs and several large, shrieking birds!!!