Eglin AFB FamCamp

We landed at Eglin in Dec 16,and didn't depart until the end of Feb 17. This was our first full-time winter stay, but not our first rodeo staying in an RV park. We've been RVing for 20+ years. Campground is nice with larger than average sites. No issues with electric, water, or sewer. Wish they'd spend some funds to pave the roads and add more FHU sites. The sound of freedom waking you up is welcomed by most veterans, but be aware your on an Air Force base and the campground is at the end of the runway. Shower house was clean with good water pressure. Maintenance on the shower house took longer than it should have. Handicapped shower head broke and it was not fixed 5-days later when we departed. Laundry rooms were in good repair with 4-each washers and dryers that cost $1.25/load. Staff was mostly friendly and they were always responsive to Facebook communication. This was very important because the phone system didn't work to contact the office the entire time we were there. So broke in fact, you couldn't even leave a message for the staff. This is a known problem MWR has failed to resolve. Contracted management also doesn't care for the campground as well as others we've stayed at that empowered camp hosts to be the local presence. There was trash littering the sites that persisted until a camper picked it up. I spent the entire stay policing cigarette butts left behind by previous occupants. The waterfront area is a work in progress. It's getting better every week thanks to efforts of CE workers. They've been cutting back grasses to allow access to Choctawatchee Bay. Walking and bike trails nearby are in need of repair. Cut trails were nice, but paved areas were in need of repair due to heaving and large cracks. I believe the price exceeds the value of what the campground offers. There were no planned activities, even during holidays, there is no central clubhouse or like venue in either campground, there is no WIFI throughout the campground (you can get WIFI if you go sit in or near the office), no fire pits or campfires allowed, and no cable option. This was simply a decent place to park with FHU available. I'd expect a park of this type to run $30/night or $375/month. One major drawback is no reservations allowed. This is a first come, first served park. It's even more troublesome because of all the homesteading folks due to lax stay policy. Folks are turning Eglin into a family housing area. Forcing a departure for 10-days is a ruse because residents call a buddy to pull in as they pull out, so they can swap back when the minimal time period has passed. We saw at least four different rigs due this to keep their spots. Issues related to the homesteading movement make it difficult to get a spot and folks seemed to keep to themselves more than you'd experience in parks with more turnover. 

We were thankful to be able to get a camping spot at Robins when we arrived. The campground was full the whole time we were there, it appears that people have figured out how to work the system to save spots by placing a tent in the spot to hold it but never occupying the spot until they return. Also notice tents were being allowed to rent RV camping (concrete) spots. Many folks with RVs would come in looking for a spot and find numerous spots with pop-up tents with no occupancy that were being saved. All other Famcamps I believe require the RV with occupants to be there. Not sure if there is any priority system applied for Active Duty, Retired, or DOD Employees. Also, not sure how DOD contractors fall into this priority. Campground sites were larger than average sites and there were no issues with electric, water, or sewer. Wish they'd spend some funds to pave the roads, or fill the pot holes. Unfortunately I would not call this a clean campground. Pet owners are advised upon arrival to pick up their pet droppings, however we observed several folks ignoring this requirement. In addition, we noticed a lot of pet droppings while walking around the campground. The area around the trash dumpster was very trashy, to include box springs, pallets, bedding, etc., which were dumped outside the dumpster. These items were not picked up the whole time we were there. We did not see any staff checking the campground for rules being followed or any other issues like the dumpster, etc. It appeared that the campground was under staffed, and we didn’t notice any maintenance or cleanup being done. Finally it appears that people have figured how to stay in the campground for lengthy stays, more on a full time basis. This campground is conveniently located and has the potential to be a beautiful campground.

We tent camped at Postl Point for a week. There are two tent only sites located next to the small inlet, just before exiting on Desoto Circle Road. I would recommend against tent camping on either of those two sites. Rent an RV site closer to the beach and camp there because the no-see-ums will eat you alive if you pitch a tent at one of the tent only sites. Otherwise, it is a great location being right on the beach. The only other problem was the RV that was parked on the last site before you exit Desoto Circle. The couple that resides there believe that one-way signs and speed limits do not apply to them. Additionally, their site (and several others) are messy and give the entire RV site the look of something out of Deliverance.

The rules have changed. Currently the rule is first come first serve but management is holding slots for Tindal AFB displaced persons. There is still a 180 day limit (paid month to month) with a 30 full days off and you can NOT return to the same site you left. They are holding some sites (between 4-8) to a 14 day 'reserved' plan but the sites seem to change daily. Reservations made through management by phone. Best to call management for current rules and occupation plan. I currently reside in this park.