Keesler AFB FamCamp

We stopped by Keesler RV FamCamp after driving around for half an hour. We missed a turn and went on base. Big Mistake. The FamCamp is not on base and hard to find. We entered the FamCamp and found the office closed. The sign said to see the Camp Host but no site was listed. We drove around the campground and a woman came out of one of the bathrooms and unlocked the office. Not sure who she was. She said that there are no facilities there but suggested that we go to Shields nearby, which we did and are glad we did.

L.S. left this review using the Directory software: - This campground is almost all homesteaders. Very obvious. Nice place, but hard to get into with all the "permanent" residents. What happened to no homesteaders????

We had no intentions staying here. Last time we stayed here we said never again. But the weather changed our minds. We have been staying in Ocean Springs at the Gulf Islands National Seashore campground but couldn't find a suitable site this time. We called Gulfport Seebee Base and they had an opening so we headed there. By the time we got to the Ocean Springs-Biloxi bridge the weather had changed drastically. We go caught on the bridge in what I found out later to be 60 mile an hour winds. It was very scary. On the coast road thru Biloxi we were pelted with more winds and blowing sand. We decided that we would try Keesler to get off the road. To our surprise they had two sites to choose from. The host was new since our last visit and seemed a lot nicer than previous ones. We had a nice site but the overall appearance of this park is not nice. I would guess that about 70 percent of the sites are taken up by people who live here permanently. There are trailers on cement blocks. One old beat-up Winnebago was still there from our last visit. For the ammount of units here at the time, we saw very few people. Regardless, we enjoyed our visit. I just wish that the next time they will have cleaned the park up some, but doubt it.

We found an attendant sitting behind the desk with his feet up on the table. We visited for more than 30 minutes with the attendant Joe, and a co-worker. He didn’t move the entire time we visited. Not that impressed with the help or the park. Joe told us they had only one site and it was intended for a small 28 ft trailer or less available. He had no idea when there would be an opening. He pointed us in the direction of the overflow for the night but after driving through the park we chose to go onto the Shield RV Park for the week. The park is well used and run down and has several homestead occupants. We found one unit with rusted wheels and body that looked as if hadn’t moved in years. According to one of the fellow RV’rs the occupant had not moved in over 7 years. Wow what an operation. The park is not intended for large units as it has several concrete back-ends with 2 ft or more drops off. We found this park very difficult to park our 34 ft Allegro. This park is run down and needs a facelift of buildings, park facilities, and a general weeding of homestead occupants and employees. This unprofessional operation is a site to behold. If you desire trees, and crowded sites packed together on concrete pads with 2 ft drop offs, enjoy. Price might be inviting but the amenities are far less than expected for an Air Force Base operation.

Talk about a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde experience! After being greeted by Joe and made to feel right at home, the second evening when I came back and parked (in an overflow spot) as I had been directed by Joe to park, this mad woman from Hades came screaming across the road to my rig telling me I had to turn around and accusing me of having only paid for one night! I tried to calm her down to tell her that I had been directed to park as I was, but she couldn't stop yelling long enough to listen. A thoroughly distasteful experience. Joe came the next morning to apologize, but I assured him none of it was his fault in any way. Had the woman been polite and respectful there would have been nothing about which to be concerned. The head of the entire operation came and apologized, so I will probably return when I'm in the area again. Being self contained I didn't use the restrooms, but it was the first military laundry I've ever seen that didn't sell detergent nor softener.

A little hard to find, we had to call Camp Host who was awesome and willing to take the time to help us find park. Park seems a little run down and looks like there have been some long term residents. Bath house is pretty weathered but was clean. Over all a decent over nighter for the price.

We had an unexpected sewage problem while camping in front of the Hard Rock Cafe (yes, you can dry camp in the front of the Hard Rock), & Joe was outstanding! He directed us to several RV mechanics, one of which was on-property. Our situation wasn't completely resolved but we sure appreciated his help in getting us assistance to survive for the night. Camp spot was readily available and reasonable considering we needed the toilet/shower house for 2 days. The park is pretty far off of the beaten path (casino's/restaurants) but pretty reasonable if you plan to stay in Biloxi for a few days.

We spent the night here after staying two nights at Shields RV park at the Navy CB Battalion in Gulfport, not far away. Cleanliness was like night and day. Keeslers Fam Camp needs a desperate "spring cleaning." We have stayed here many times before and the cleanup is well overdue. We talk about "homesteaders" and this is one of those places where it really shows. The area we were in was run down, utility's were in need of repairs. The bath house is old but clean so this proves that the area could be cleaned up. The Fam Camp is off base nestled among base housing located off main base. The base is nice, we use to enjoy the club at the marina but the new club is up and running so they closed the bar at the marina. After parking our rig we walked a few miles thru the nearby park to a nice restaurant. Beaches are not in walking distance and there is not a lot around the RV park. Reservations can't be made but we had no problem this time of year. Pictures look better then park.

We stayed there for a few days while we were on our Grand Tour. The park host was courteous and helpful. The facilities clean and orderly. There were a lot of homesteaders but plenty of spaces for actual RV travelers. No WiFi, still, and that was a headache for those who want to stay connected. The BX has WiFi but you have to pay for it, it's not free. Kind of a ripoff and not what I expected from the Exchange. We connected at the hospital but that's kind of our of the way. The nearest McDonald's worked out OK, but still inconvenient. Otherwise, the place was acceptable.

We are Fulltime and we stay at Keesler FamCamp every time we are going through the area. We try to schedule our travels to stay there at least a week. The area is normally quiet except for the occasional flights from the base. But I have always looked at those little noises and things as our price of freedom. Joe and Bobi are great people and will always help you when you need it. All you have to do is ask. Even though they do not take reservation we have never had an issue getting a spot. Call ahead and see what is available. I wish they had wifi available, but I understand it is in the works along with the possibility of turning one storage lot into additional RV spaces. Great Idea. Hope to see it soon along with the WiFi. Easy access to the base if needed and great local eateries. Bootleggers Pizza, the best around, will deliver to your site and they offer a military discount.

R.B. left this review using the Directory software: - Lovely spot! Host Joe Clark was ultra-helpful and friendly and got us right into a pull-through site. Wish they had WiFi but understand that is in the bidding process now. Would go back anytime.

Directions to this camp are good. They take you through a residential area with narrow paved streets. There is no guard gate to go through to get to this camp. It is just a street off a residential area with a sign. When we left Panama City base, I called. They told me to call back when we got within an hour of the base. So I did, but no one answered. I called every 15 minutes, but no one ever answered the phone and no answering machine. We arrived during office hours as posted on the door. But the door was locked and CLOSED was showing. We called the security office as phone number listed. The base security said they had nothing to do with the FAM CAMP. While we sat there wondering what to do, a man (later found out he was Joe) came out of his camper, got into his golf cart and drove down to meet us. He said he was out of the office because he was parking another camper. He said they were full but we could park in overflow at $10 a night. We said the book said overflow was $6 a night, he said the book was old. After taking our money and giving us a receipt he said he wrote the code to the bathroom/showers on the receipt. Neither code worked for us. He said the phones were out. He showed us where to park, which was on the grass right next to another RV. The electrical box had 2 places to plug in, and the water had 2 spigots. So we had water and electric and cable tv if we wanted it. No Wifi. Joe didn't seem all that friendly. When he left us he said that if we needed anything to call. How could we if the phones were out? We never saw him again. We will never stay at this FAM CAMP again. I didn't feel safe here. It doesn't seem like it is on a base at all. We only spent the one night.

We've been here a week & really like the campground. There may be a couple homesteaders, but not an over abundance. We're in the open area, and it seems to have more space between sites. It has nice big pull thrus & level. Our area doesn't have cable but we have satellite so that's not a problem. We have a dog, so I've walked thru the whole park many times already & it's clean & well kept. I think the man who runs the office is Joe & he's very nice & helpful. There were a few open spots when we arrived, but it looks like it's full now. The base is less than 10 minutes away & so is the beach. I would definitely come here again.

I'm not quite sure they enforce the 6 month max stay. Too many long timers with permanent porches, etc. Too few sites to choose from. They have a nice short term site but no cable tv hook up. We had full hook up with cable. MIFI 2200, cell worked well. Excellent location.

It was good to be able to stop here for awhile, the VA Medical Center is right next to the Famcamp. This park offers both long and short term spaces and there are a few, mostly active duty assigned to the base, living here. The staff were very nice and helpful, I had no trouble getting in initially nor in moving to a long term spot when I got sick. I can understand that this is a premium location in the wintertime, but they do have a large overflow area. I'm sure the camp is nearly empty in the summer. Biloxi was a great place to visit, and the base has many amenities. A very friendly community. The casinos offer great military discounts on meals to retired as well as active duty, but each one is on a different day of the week so call to check that out. I also thought the buffet lunch at the Bay Breeze Club on base was great food and a good value too. Yoga classes are offered free at one of the fitness centers and the instructor was a cut above those I've encountered elsewhere. The on base marina offers a lot of activities and I got a sailing class in while I was here. All in all this was a great extended vacation.

This Fam-Camp could be one of the best in Mississippi. But the first thing is they need to move the people that live there full time out. The Host was great. Great park to do the beach and casinos. Remember to stop at the Mississippi welcome center when first coming into the state and get the buy one get one free buffet coupons for the casinos. The RV park doesn't have them any longer.

Host at check in was Joe and he was very accommodating, he offered us a site in the back but realized it was too small, then he put us in an electric and water site next to another big rig. According to the board his next offer was a big enough site opening up on the 19th. Well the morning of the 19th rolled around and no indication folks in the site were leaving. Different host this day said they had until 11:00 to extend their stay so at 11:45 we asked if they were staying and she told us she had no idea and they did not enforce the 11:00 rule. I told her we would like to know ASAP as we would need to make a reservation someplace else for the next day. Well at 12:30 the people drive out in their truck and we again asked the host what they were doing, she said she had no idea again. This is an example of homesteaders who pretend they are hosts and do not perform the duties of a host, and speaking of homesteaders there had to have been at least a dozen there as many had so much stuff around their RV that looked like it had been there a very long time. In conversation with folks we found some have actually been there 3 years and they move them around to different sites, another person there 6 months and one other 3 months. We are true RV'ers and follow rules so now find this to be a place we will not be quick to go back to.

Stayed for a week in blistering heat and humidity. Very nice park. I am not sure why previous reviews are so critical about homesteading at this place. We saw no evidence of it. The camp hosts were pleasant and helpful. There were several open spots every day we were there. Everyone had their air cranked up high but power was more than adequate. Nice plus with the cable TV. Keesler is a short drive away. Has essentially been rebuilt since Katrina. Very nice PX. Took out 17 year old son with us. Plenty for him to do on base: beautiful pools, great marina with rentals, amazing gyms better than most YMCAs, and an incredible Teen/Youth Center. Could not say enough about this facility and the folks that work there. My son loved it and it hard to find things he even likes, much less loves. Place has a full gym, every video game, cool field trips, and even serves hot food for the kids. Most kids there lived on base but welcomed my son like they had known him for years. Highly recommend this RV park!!!!

Visited area during the BP oil spill 4th July weekend. We didn't have a reservation but they had space. The trees are low so watch your rubber roof and air conditioners. The pads need some leveling especially the ones on the back of the park. A few homesteaders still there. Great spot when you want to visit the local casinos and see the sights. The park could use a little cleaning and work on the hookups. They were repairing and/or installing the CATV but ours worked. I will return on our return west.

As mentioned by others, this is a homestead campground; it is definitely not a FAMCAMP. Really seems that the Air Force has more problems of this type than any service. Some get cleaned out every so often, other never, and some clean house for a while and then go back to the same old ways. Office has a big board with all sites listed. Just take a look, we're here in March 2010 and several on board show check in early 2009 months; that is surely not a 6 month stay on one of the 42 Long Stay sites! Also, every site is filled right now, dry camping only and yet when I was at the office this AM one of the long stay campers came in to extend stay and no questions were asked by the staff, just make the added payment and all set. This situation really stinks and should be corrected. Maybe if enough of us "travelers" give such reviews someone at Keesler AFB will take note and make corrections. Not much in amenities also, no internet, no TV, etc. Bottom line - great for homesteaders, not what FAMCAMP should be.