Shields Park NAS Recreation Area

We have stayed here 6 times now and we have always had a great experience. Clean park with nice buildings. The aundry is good. I would recommend it to anyone.

A.M. left this review using the Directory software: - Very nice CG with cement site and full hookups. Was close to the sea wall and when the wind (always) came out of the north we had a lot of salt water spray on the RV. Luckily the MWR personal (very helpful) allowed us to wash our unit as long as we did not use any detergent. Will return.

Campground has no lighting in much of the area. The fishing pier has been closed past the steps coming up from the beach on the east side of the pier due to storm damage to railings on west side of pier. According to MWR, Security Police, Public Works, repairs may be some time in the future. No Camp Host has yet been assigned but they (office personnel) are asking for one. The map for the campground (above) needs updating. All site numbers have been changed. Office personnel advised me that reservations can now be made by calling 1-877-NAVYBED and to be assigned to a site with a concrete pad, you must ask for a "RV50" site. For those that may not know, there is a "Family Health Clinic and Minor Emergency Room" located at 10102 SPID just outside the main gate on the frontage road and they accept TriCare for Life and Medicare. Special thanks to MWR Personnel Donica, Mary Kay, Robert and Richard. All have done everything they could to make our stay here enjoyable. We plan on returning later on next month.

Wonderful campground, we stayed in the grass area. A lot of space between sites. Only fault was the showers, no facilities in this area and showers were located in the other area (a car ride away) and in need of upgrading. The base is located close enough to Padra Island which was wonderful. We even spent a few nights camping on the beach (great fun). Will visit again.

Stayed from January 10th until 19th of 2013. The first day the wind was not bad, but the next 6 days it was terrible. Not sure how how fast the wind was, but the camper moved around all night. The last couple of days the wind was much calmer. The restroom / shower was ok. The laundry room was very clean and all four washers and the four dryers were working. Looks like they must have replaced two of each. Again all was free. There is a new fellow (Joe) working in the office since our last stay and he was excellent. They advertise wifi but I could not get it to work for the entire 9 days. I ask Joe and he said it was hit and miss. I guess mostly miss. We do always enjoy this campground even with the wind (no control over this) and the lack of wifi. We will be back in March.

The navy personnel operating the campground were quite courteous. They were unable to accurately send us to an unoccupied site – some problem with their management software. We were initially sent to site 28 which was occupied. I called the office and was sent to site 31 which was occupied. I called in and told them that sites 32 and 33 were unoccupied and we would like site 33 which they approved. Site 33 had the power/water and sewer on the wrong side which was not a big problem. I just drove in, parked the trailer and drove the tow vehicle out over the grass. For some desire to submit to torture, I decided I wanted to watch the Dallas Cowboys sew up their non-playoff status, so I checked out the Direct TV remote and proceeded to bring up satellite TV and our Activity Center. The receiver could not find the satellite, probably because of the 50-MPH winds the night before. I returned the remote to the office and was told I could probably watch the game at the other park Activity Center. The person at the desk said, no, I forgot we just lost the power transformer for the Activity Center. I returned to my trailer and settled for watching the Packers play using my TV USB dongle on my laptop and tuning in the only usable TV channel. This is probably not the staff’s problem since most military facility restrooms are extremely clean. I hiked to the shower on the 31st and showered. There was a turd in the shower obviously deposited by some highly considerate camper.

We arrived on a cold rainy day, after we paid for a 2 night stay, we were told that the electricity was out in the campground but they were working on it. The electricity was down for about 3 hours. the campground was very nice, concrete pads wide enough for our 5th wheel and our truck to park side by side. The bay side sites were very beautiful and right along the beach and pier. Very nicely located near commissary, NEX, and VA Hospital. The laundry facility was free, however only one washer was working and 2 dryers. The washer took an hour to run and several people were wanting to do laundry. The lights kept flickering in the laundry facility and in the womens restroom, which can be disturbing after dark. The wind is very strong there this time of year and the temperature was only in the 40's, and we found it hard to sleep due to the wind rocking our camper. But the campground was very clean and nice, and in an isolated area, but we felt it was overpriced for a military campground. The traffic around Corpus Christi was terrible, we saw several wrecks. We probably won't return.

Grounds maintained but lots of pricklies in grass, clean shower and laundry facilities, but lights in ladies shower, flicker off and on like some horror film. Four washing machines in one facility and only one works, four dryers, two work, but they are free. Nice big spaces, all utilities included, garbage, wifi (when it works), water, electricity. NO trees. They fees are rather high ($540 mo) but i guess they figure you are right on the water, so you pay accordingly? I would think that a military RV spot would be the same no matter where you go. The wind can be almost unbearable at times. So mix the wind and salt=rust! The base is adequate. Decent commissary and exchange. Nice gym. Have looked for other places to stay off base, but winter Texans have taken them all.

Our 4th visit- we love it here (except for the cockleburrs!) Big sites, good value. Not an RV resort by any means, but just the ticket for us. Fishing and bird watching are both great. Worth mentioning that there is a new DOG PARK here, next to the Paradise Cove (grass sites) between the campground and family housing. It was the old ball field- new privacy fence up, doggie bags available and places to sit. Very nice. Thank you, MWR!

Our very first ever camping (RV) trip. Access to the base and actual RV site very comfortable. Personnel behavior at check-in, very friendly and much knowledgeable. Cable TV still not operational. Access to facilities, like BX, laundry, fishing area, etc., very convenient. Look forward to return.

As usual, this time of year, the campground has many open sites and even though we had called ahead of time and made reservations, requesting a site near the restroom/pier area, found that we had been assigned to site 45. However, after arriving and talking to one of the office personnel, they changed our site to 49. Ms. Angela has experience on the computer and is not afraid to make adjustments while others claim, "The computer assigns site assignments and if we make a change, we have to move everyone else...". Site number 57 has damage to the 30amp connection and has been that way for quite some time. The camp host and office personnel have been aware of the situation but for some reason repair has not been accomplished. Pet owners should be aware that the campground DOES have poles with bags to pick up droppings from their pets.... The big drawback of the park is FIRE ANTS and sticker burrs. The Fire Ant problem can be controlled with a light application of Amdro (sold in the Exchange) around your site (might have to reapply in four or five days but is does work). Overall, the campground is one of the very best! One suggestion I have which would make things a little easier for the office personnel is, do away with reservations and make it a first come, first served basis. That way campers could come in, take a site and go to the office and advise them of the site taken.

Location is top notch - close to town and can get to Kingsville to see King Ranch in less than an hour. Drove of to Padre Island and drove around easily for the day. Park is quiet and right on the water. As with most of Texas wind blows all the time but that keeps heat from Rest rooms/laundry clean. We would definitely come back. We came in South Gate all the way to the end, made a right and took us to the park, had to go up to marina to check in (this was easier for us to maneuver our 40 ft coach with car in tow). Thanks main gate for hint.

Easy to locate, no obstructions at the Main Gate. Receptionist at check-in lacked people skills, very unfriendly. Sites are large, and plenty of space between sites. The big negative is the wind! Water heater wouldn't stay lit the last morning there. The free laundry that we were informed about when we called for reservations was a bust - 2 washing machines and only one worked. Good location easy drive to Padre Island National Seashore, also to King's Ranch. Fresh large Gulf shrimp for purchase at the T-heads. Ask the local for directions. Great seafood dinner at Snoopy's (cash only).

Wonderful campground with lots of walking areas. We stayed in the Shields Park portion of the camp. Good access, plenty of space on both sides of the rig. Very little shade, but plenty of wind to cool things. The young man the checked us in was polite, but clearly in over his head. Couldn't answer any questions about the campground or the base. Went in the next day, to find out that he hadn't even checked us in properly, there was still an open space with my name on it. There are NO campground hosts, and very little in the way of rule enforcement. There is a pier for fishing, but it needs a LOT of work. Shows that the camp is not maintained well. We did not use any of the showers or club room, so can't comment on that. Our experience with the wi-fi was great, easy to log onto, and relatively fast. With all of the problems and discussion of the way the camp is run, we will still be coming back.

P.L. left this review using the Directory software: - I was under the impression that the Military CG ran under the MWR were meant for everyone active duty, retired, etc. Seems this does not apply to CC Shields RV Park. Seems you have to belong to the GOBN and once in, you are in forever. I have seen rigs parked in the park without any activity for weeks, as if it is a weekend retreat from San Antonio or other parts of the state. Those running the desk most of the time have no clue as to what is going on and trying to make a reservation in this century is almost impossible. It appears to be a decent park, but then again who except a select few can find a spot to stay. It does make sense in slow seasons to allow some long termers, but in the peak seasons, give everyone a chance. Take a clue from DM in Tuscon where I have seen two Generals in overflow awaiting their turn.

J.B. left this review using the Directory software: - The Shields RV Park is a wonderful place for a relaxing and restful stay among some great travelers, as well as some who have not yet developed their greatness. Among the latter are those who, during early morning or late evening hours of darkness, let their dogs out the rig doors unsupervised and unleashed to defecate at will wherever. I do not travel with a dog, nor am I an opponent to them traveling with their masters, as long as dogs remain on a leash and doo-doo is clean up by the person at the other end of the leash. Incidentally, the park has no designated dog run area. MWR authorizes dogs in the RV Park, so why no designated dog run area where leashes can be removed?

We didn't know what to expect after reading the low ratings from others. We were delighted and so surprised. This is a clean camp ground with spacious sites. We were in the Shields overflow area which is rather new. It was converted from a trailer park and has only RV's. Lots of space. Lounge area, clean laundry facilities, very good wifi and best of all were the people who run the place. They organized a Christmas Potluck for us and furnished the meat. They decorated, organized games and best of all gave us a wonderful chance to meet new friends and enjoy Christmas. We'll visit again and recommend highly to all.

This review is a bit late. We have visited this RV campground 6 times . Mostly during the winter, but one summer also. As stated many times by others the winter wind will get to you. We love the beach, and made it a point to walk the dogs down there at least twice a day. The people on the base, and in town can not be beaten. There are also about a dozen more positive points. Due to a couple of factors we have decided to stay in Rockport, Tx this year. First point is the base has priced themselves out of competition with the civilian campgrounds. The price for my 30 amp trailer, would be $18 per day,or $580 per month. The campground in Rockport is $320, incld. WiFi, and cable TV. True I will have to pay electric, but that should not run more that $40 per mo. Next point is the lack of organization, at the base. Our last stay was riddled with changes that affected us, and with little or no notice. The poor people in the office had no idea of what was going on. I believe that the powers to be are more interested in making money than servicing the Active and retired military people that it is their mission to do. It is a shame that I have to write this type of review, but in my opinion this facility has been lowering it standards of service for the few years.

This is the fourth year we have visited this facility. Increase in prices, decrease in overall experience. In the last two years they added considerable spaces. In the past they had two camp hosts (overkill). Now there is not a camp host, so rules are not enforced. While there a week I experienced loose dogs, barking dogs being tied outside, ladies bathhouse could not be entered by code, cars parked on the grass. No way this is allowed in the past with camp hosts. Hot water in shower and bathroom just warm enough not to be cold. WiFi was frustrating at best unless you go to the community room. I don't know, perhaps all the wind just left me a little cranky this year.

Campground is at a great location. Convenient to shopping on base and off. Rated lower for cleanliness and amenities compared to other parks. No camp host at this park. Everything is handled through the office. Great tv reception with antenna. Wind..Wind... and more wind. Great temps but the wind is almost constant. Wifi is hit and miss. Its okay in the community room. Would stay again.