Lunga Park in Virginia FINALLY Reopens!
After being closed for several years, since WWII unexploded ordinance was found, Lunga Park Recreation Area has been closed. Finally, they are partially re-opening in June 2023. Currently, the RV Park will remain closed. Tent sites, cabin rentals, the marina, and boat rentals will be available.
Lunga Park Information
Navy Starts Using Recreation.gov
The Naval District Washington has stopped using the "Navy Getaways" website (www.dodlodging.net) for reservations of their campgrounds and RV Parks. Instead, the Navy has contracted with Recreation.gov to handle their reservations. This affects making reservations at Navy Recreation Center Solomons, the Pax River Paradise Grove Campgrounds and the Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds.
While the name "Recreation.gov" sounds like a government operated website, it's not. The private company of Booz Allen was contracted by the US Forest Service to operate the Recreation.gov portal for the federal government. Several government agencies use Recreation.gov for handling recreation reservations.
Recreation.gov being operated by a private business brings additional "processing fees" to the cost of reservations at these three campgrounds. Recreation.gov charges a $8 reservation fee if you make a reservation via their website. The reservation fee is $9 if you call in for the reservation. The reservation fee is only charged once per your reservation, whether you stay 1-night or 7-nights.
Remove Ads - New Subscription Plans
Advertisements on the website are a necessary evil. I don't like them either. However, this website is privately operated and relies on the support of users to continue to operate and improve. I don't get any support from the various U.S. Military branches, or the Department of Defense. Advertisements are a major source of support for the website. When a website user visits an advertiser, a little revenue is generated for website operations.
I recently started offering "Website Support Subscriptions". These are optional subscription plans to help support the operations of the website. As a "Thank You" to subscribers, all 3rd party advertisements are removed from the website during the users subscription period. Website Subscriptions are available in monthly, semi-annual, and annual plans.
Since starting the website over 17 years ago, one of my goals has been to keep the website free for everyone to use. The website remains free, but with advertisements. With a website subscription, the advertisements are removed.
Thank you for your support!
2023 Army Post Redesignations
The U.S. Army is changing the names of eight of their installations in 2023.
The following U.S. Army installations are changing names. I've also included what U.S. Military Campgrounds and RV Parks are affected.
You can also download a graphic chart showing the Army base renaming here.
Users In-Depth Review of Tyndall AFB FamCamp (Raptor Ranch)
The following review was written and submitted in early March 2023 by website user Dede.
The overall presentation of Tyndall AFB FamCamp *** 3-5 stars. Primary buildings, office, maintenance garage, Clubhouse, and cabins were well maintained and clean. In addition, stone covers all roads and overflow parking areas.
The FamCamp has basic amenities, one hundred plus sites, with water, electricity, and sewage hookups. Each site has a concrete slab and picnic table. Several of the tables need repair and a fresh coat of paint. Other locations need shingles replaced on the canopy or the canopies removed. The park has a couple of benches and swing sets sitting at the water's edge. Again, these amenities need a fresh coat of paint and basic repairs. The estimate for paint tables, benches, and swing replacement is under $3,000.
Read more: Users In-Depth Review of Tyndall AFB FamCamp (Raptor Ranch)
Information on Tappen Springs, AZ Added to the Site!
Information, maps, and photos on Tappen Springs, located on Camp Navajo near Flagstaff, Arizona has been added to the site. This is a remote, rustic camping area. No facilities, but good views of the mountains and plenty of space among the pine trees.
Read more: Information on Tappen Springs, AZ Added to the Site!
Reservations at Military Campgrounds and RV Parks
I'm constantly asked "how do I make a reservation" for a U.S. Military Campgrounds or RV Park. This website doesn't handle reservations for our military recreation facilities.
Each military campground is mostly independently operated and establishes their own reservation policy. The Navy has been trying to standardize (Navy GetAways) among their recreation facilities, but it's been an uphill battle. Many Navy facilities use the DoD Lodging website (https://get.dodlodging.net) for online reservation or their central phone number (1-877-NAVY-BED) for phone reservations. However, this system has also had numerous problems. I talk about these problems below.
Read more: Reservations at Military Campgrounds and RV Parks
- Access for Veterans With Service-Connected Disability
- Allison Point Campground, Valdez, Alaska ADDED!
- Weems and Victory Ponds Camping ADDED
- Luke AFB Saguaro Skies FamCamp Added to the Site!
- NEW RV Park in Missouri!
- Yakima Training Center Travel Camp Added to the Site!
- Community Section
- Major Policy Changes at NASKW Campground
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