March ARB FamCamp

We did not camp here. This review is about our experience trying to camp there. We understand they do not take reservations, so we drove out there and found out there were no available spots, but we could dry camp until a spot became available. We chose not to do that. We tried calling at least five times over a few weeks just to ask about the probability of getting a space No one answered the phone and so we left a message each time. However, we never received a return call. We consider this an unfair way to do business. If you trek all the way there and then go from the front gate to the FamCamp to find out nothing is available it makes it difficult because now you have to start searching for some where else to stay. We did have a backup plan,.so we drove another 45 minutes to that location. All we wanted is for someone to return our call to get a feel for the probability of getting a spot.

According to a chart in the office, there are 17 out of 40 spaces occupied by "Homesteaders." One person is there for nine months??? When did it become acceptable for members of the military family to "screw" other members for selfish reasons? Reservists on drill weekends are using the campground as housing. Fellows, it is for recreation NOT housing. Dumpster full and will not be emptied. The good concrete and grass spaces are occupied by the "Homesteaders" leaving the narrow, tree encroached, unlevel gravel pull throughs for the rest of us. Very unimpressive.

Having read the last posts, we extended our stay for 2 more days when the rec. office was open on Friday afternoon. Luckily on Saturday we hadn't gone off to play golf on their beautiful course before a couple knocked on our door at 12:15 saying we were in their space. We showed them both our windshield notices & they went away. Ten minutes later, armed security guards showed up wanting to see our receipts and my military I.D. card. I showed them to him. [Both were taped to our windshield.] A few minutes later two of them came back & wanted to see them again. They looked, saying that the first guard had mis-read the dates. Finally apologized & left saying housing does this to them often. When my wife had gone in to pay she commented that they seem to be over staffed. I think they're understaffed by one competent person. Had we been off or site [we have a motorhome and no toad] I think we would have been S.O.L. trying to get our site back. And Riverside gate is no longer open.

I recently stayed at your fam camp and noticed what seem to be people homesteading there. I read your policies and you have alot of inconsistency's checked with some of the campers and they said the same thing. It seems like they make the rules day by day. For being first come basis with no reservations, it sure looks suspicious. It's like who you know. I left and won't be back. I'll stick to the Navy and Marine famcamps. At least they don't have homesteaders. They also have Camp Ground Hosts which you don't. Very poor facility.

This is really an example of great potential poorly executed. While the limited staff is friendly, many days no one is present, the park is poorly set up and maintained. First the upgrade of landscaping is an unmitigated disaster. Whoever did it has no idea of the usage of RV parks. The pull throughs have river rock that is difficult to walk on...read easy to trip and fall and has cinder rock where you need to kneel down for hookups etc. Pet rules are a joke. Our next door camper was long term with two vehicles and two units on one site. Now the pets. Two chihuahuas crapped all over the grass you had to use to get to the rocks to get to the tanks. Of course if you stepped back at all you had dog crap all over your shoes. While I was leaning into my truck I heard the door on their unit and the two evidently raced to my leg and one bit me to defend the homeland. Luckily no skin was broken just caught my jean leg. Of course these were darling dogs who did not need leashes. Don't get me wrong I love dogs but I love responsible owners more and a properly monitored park even more. Now lets talk about site management. When you arrive you usually will not find anyone available to meet your needs or answer questions. You will find a note to call the billeting office and they will have no idea or number to call to find help. Yes they do refer you to the host sites which are carefully unmarked and with no one available either. DO NOT follow the directions in Allstays as you will end up on a closed road near a permanently closed gate. Since it is a dead end...good luck if you are back there with any length. The positive...well it is a great location, quiet at night and priced right. But had this been the old SAC base it was in the day you would never have to put up with the nonsense of this parks management or lack there of.

R.Z. left this review using the Directory software: The campground still has a problem with the roads, luckily it did not rain during our stay. The reservation system is two weeks and IF there is anyone on the waiting list and ALL sites are full and your reservation is expiring and you get to the desk before the homesteaders, you can get a site. During the time we were there not ALL sites were filled, so there were no problems getting a site. The facilities were first class well maintained.

Full time RV Snowbird West Coast oriented but never stopped at March ARB only driven past on Hwy 215 several times....this time decided to stop in for night thinking they were First Come First Serve but if full have overflow parking for several vehicles on mixed old asphalt /grass combination - so no issue. Pleasantly surprised by Courtesy of camp host Jerry who checked me in as paid Famcamp Office staffed only in mornings so all other check-in happens via camp host. There were Four open spots when I arrived unannounced about 3 in afternoon on Tuesday with S/W/E so I picked a back-in site 25 asphalt at Western edge of famcamp on asphalt parking lot. No issues - everything worked -but be prepared for a long sewer hose requirement to Rear of vehicle where parking lot services are located. Elected not to use sewer connection for single night opting instead to use regular dump station in morning before departure - worked fine no issues. SO HERE's THE GREAT THINGS - Free laundry brand new machines 3 Washers, 3 Dryers and Ultra CLEAN AS IS the locked Men's Restroom/Shower facilities. Nice small clean lounge with clean soft sofa and working TV/remote. AND ALSO NEW I'm told as last Apr 2022 RESERVATIONS via internet https://marchfss.com/famcamp just fill out the on-line Form submit it electronically and they'll get back to you!

Big cement pads, grass & trees, quiet -- not a bad site. After being deluged with information at Davis-Monthan, we arrived at March and received no rules, maps, nothing. Certainly not the best trained staff but friendly. It works for us because of proximity to Southern California attractions -- not really close to L.A., Orange County, San Diego, etc., but within couple of hours driving distance. Good value for Southern California. Don't know if changes were made after the earlier reviews, but we had a good experience at March Famcamp in Spring 2010.

RV camp is nice however both Camp Host’s are retired Navy with one of them pawning you off to the other. Rules are being made up as you go, MSG commander never leaves their spot but everyone else does.

Contrary to other reviewers, we had a terrific experience at March. The bath house/laundry was immaculate. The sites were wide. We called early on the morning we were to arrive and were told we'd be able to get a site. The check-in went smoothly, the gentleman in the MWR Office was polite and professional. The location as terrific for visiting family in Ontario. We will definitely visit March again.

Our experience was much like the previous post - Big cement pads, grass & trees, quiet -- not a bad site. We had also been deluged with information at Davis-Monthan, and received no rules, maps, nothing from March. I had been on this website prior to arrival, so I already knew to pay at Lodging since we would arrive after hours. There appeared to be several "Homesteaders" on the sites, but there were several back-in and pull-thru sites available. I picked a site, dropped the car and went to Lodging to pay. The next morning while I was packing things up to leave, I was asked by the camp host if we had checked in yet. "Yes," I said. "At Lodging last night." Apparently, Lodging had no record of us checking in, so I showed him the receipt and then all was well again. Keep your paperwork handy.

This is a pretty good FamCamp. Easy access through the main gate. There is grass and the sites are easy to get into. There is a large commissary and exchange, though it is quite a drive to them. There are a couple points, however that need attention. The internet service is very weak and sometimes only works if you access it from the office building. They took out the dog run to make room for new sites but haven't installed a new one. There is a very good place just behind the office that does't look like it would be good for anything else. It even has a fire hydrant. The park has no designated pet walk area and does not provide doggy bags so a number of disrespectful guests let their dogs go anywhere and don't pick up after them. I was told that there is no trash can in that area for dog refuse because the staff would have to empty it. Gee that would be too bad wouldn't it. Staff seems to do enough to keep their jobs but not much more. The camp hosts are very friendly and helpful but have limited power to make any changes.