Hanscom AFB FamCamp

Very nice campground close to Boston area. Site is beside the airfield so you will get noise from aircraft. Not really too bad. The airfield shuts down at night so sleeping was not an issue. Other then the airfield noise, it was a very quiet place. We stayed for 10 days while family was in hospital in Boston. Ann-Marie (Camp Host) was very awesome to deal with and she will go out of the way to help you. We had to stay three extra days and that was not an issue with her. The Famcamp is located off the secured area of the base, but that is not an issue. Never seen anyone going through the area that was not staying there. Very dog friendly. Getting onto the base for shopping or anything else is easy. They do have a bunch of rules while staying, but its not a big deal. If your not doing anything stupid then there is no issue. They have sites as you first come in that are hardstand and out in the open with full hookups. There is also wooded sites that are FHU and are 30/50 amp. We stayed in the wooded area. If you need to get into Boston area its real easy. You can drive to Alewife station and take the train in. Parking is $9.00 for all day on weekdays and 3.00 weekends. The parking garage there can be a little tight, but not impossible. I was able to get in with a 1-ton dully CC longbed. The max height for the garage is 7ft 2in. Alewife is about 20 min depending on traffic and simple to get to. There is a VA located about 5 miles from the camp also. Water pressure was good and drinkable. No issues with the power. On site laundry with fairly new machines 1.00 to wash and dry. FHU sites were 26 and W/E were 24.They do not take reservations, but you can call ahead to see what is open. I was told they have never had to turn anyone away due to being full. If you arrive after hours there is a map on the office door showing what sites are open, just find a spot and check in the next morning. You will need current registration for vehicles and current shot records if you have pets. If you bring a firearm, let the Ann-Marie know. She has the forms at the office you will need to fill out. 30 day max stay, but if no one is on the waiting list then you can extend past the 30. Overall we had a very good experience here and will return. 

We arrived on 8/9 and on way in saw a vacant site. At check in the person said they only had W/E and I told her about the site. 1st she said she hadn't checked them yet then she said she just gave it out so I took a W/E site. When hooking up I noticed the 50 Amp plug was upside-down. We checked the bathhouse and the men's shower were discussing. No one has cleaned the stalls with any cleaners because the walls had black dirt imbedded in the walls and floor. We checked the Laundry room and it has not been sweep or really cleaned in some time. Tried to find a camp host and no signs reflecting the host or who was on duty. The basic overall appearance of the park is very disappointing for an AF Famcamp. The place is seedy looking and the overall management of the park by military or civilian is very poor. We drove by the 1st vacant site noted in the beginning and on the 3rd day it was still vacant and that afternoon they called and offered it. I told her that was the same site we asked about 3 days ago and she had no answer. This tells me that no one checks the park daily for openings. No one checks each site after they leave because our spot was not, at least, blown off and the power switch was still on. My question still is, What does the Camp Host Do, just get paid? While there we noticed power flickering and on the 4th night power out and on and brownouts. Camper next to us experienced the same. Contacted the Office a person came and opened the main power box and said the breaker is rusted and they would call. We had no power and the fear of damage was to great so we let the CG early. This place should be shut down until they find proper management, camp host with job descriptions, the home build RVs removed (not NFPA Certified) unless the AF is willing to accept the risk of all damage. The poor quality of this Famcamp, its' management is a reflection of the poor quality leadership at the Senior Officer and Enlisted ranks. 

The park is easy to access off the interstate. It is not on base but just a short distance away. The full hook-up sites are very nice and look like very easy to get into and out of. They were full so I had to stay in a 30 amp W/E only site (19). I was allowed to pick my own site. Had good water and electric and was able to pull in stations using my antenna. We used and were favorably impressed with the laundry facility. As others stated the centrally used fire pit is nice and you will meet some excellent folks there. Although my site was easy access, in my opinion most of these W/E sites can be difficult to maneuver into because of trees. Other campers advised me there are a lot of trees dropping acorns onto their RV, but only a few dropped on mine in the site I picked. When I arrived I was advised I could check daily to see if anyone was vacating a full-hook up site and I would be number one on the wait list. I was told that there were three of these sites that were scheduled to be vacated the next day but the occupants had until 1130 to let the office know if they wanted to stay and she was expecting at least two of them to extend their stay. Apparently, they are staying there for the season and the manager lets them renew on their last day to stay longer even though the receipt I was given states if there is a waiting list they have to move to another site (common requirement). All three decided to stay. My biggest concern was the central dump site. First, it's location will not allow you to dump as you leave the park because it's on the left side of the road as you to pull into the park. You have to pull back in front of the office through the entrance. Instead of having a "clean-out" pipe sticking up it is a large opening (larger than a toilet bowl) that you stick your hose in to dump and the waste was close to the top and almost full. It has a thin medal lid covering it that is supposed to be bolted down but the bolts are missing. Thus, you slide it out of the way to dump and then slide it back. This setup is very dangerous and a child/pet/adult could fall into the hole. There were some empty sites and dump pipes around the area that could be used but one of the ladies that works in the office was adamant I didn't use those but use the central dump. Don't know why. Again, overall this park is a good place to stay overnight and longer if you can get one of the full hook-up sites or easy access W/E only sites. The base has an excellent commissary and BX as well as other amenities that are impressive. The nearby town of Lexington has a lot of history and really nice shops/restaurants along main street. Diesel fuel in Lexington is way cheaper than nearer the base. Notified wing safety of sewer issue. They advised me later that they visited the site and DR created a work order to fix the dump site to meet required specs for a dumpsite. Future users should hopefully see an improvement soon.

While the campground is a quick train ride to Boston, there is not much to rave about.  The biggest issue I have is the lack of organization in the office.  We knew before calling they don't take reservations, so we called 4 out of 5 days to see what availability there was and if any openings would be coming.  We were looking for a full hookup site and were told each time calling there was nothing open and to call again tomorrow.  We finally had to make reservations at another campground but stopped at Hanscom for two nights since we still needed a place to stay.  I called two hours before we were set to arrive and again was told no full hookup sites were available.  Fine, we could deal without sewer for two days.  When we arrived, we were given the three sites that were open, all water and electric only, and walked over to pick the best one.  When we picked a spot and started walking back with the manager, we found that three full hookup sites were open.  When we asked the manager, he said they must have left and not checked out with the office.  Considering everyone checks in and gives the dates they plan on staying, we could have easily received more information than we did.  Now for the plane noise; its not as bad as say NAS Oceana or any other fighter base, but the air traffic is constant.  Even starting at 7:00 am on Sunday morning.  No matter where in the campground you are, you will hear it and, in some cases, feel it.  Be prepared.  We also had a group of people out at 1:00 am talking three sites down.  I would expect this at any commercial campground and certainly have never experienced this at any military campground, but was shocked when the drunken talking moved further down and continued for about 45 minutes.  We also had people driving by at all hours with thumping stereos.  We expected better behavior from an older crowd.  It does give the impression that the regular seasonal's feel inconvenienced by anyone else showing up at the campground and really don't care how they act. On the plus side, the water, electric and sewer were solid.  Aside from that, we have no reason to return.

Hidden Gem close to Boston and surrounding things to do. Site is actually OFF the base, but you drive through a nice neighborhood to the FamCamp. If you follow the directions on this site it is easy to get to site (be aware that the drive is thru a housing tract and there is a slight left turn where YOU have to stop and allow traffic from the right to turn without stopping. FHU sites with great OTA channels. Was able to camp under the trees. You are next to the runway with Lear jet and personal plane traffic. Little traffic on the base when going there for shopping. Commissary is good and BX is convenient. 

This is a great stopover to tour New England! Boston is a short drive but I highly suggest driving to the Alewife Station which is appx 7 miles away. The subway is cheap and easy to negotiate. Driving to Newport Rhode Island is easy and worth the drive to see the fantastic Mansions. We toured Gloucester and Salem plus all the little seaside towns between on the scenic highway. The park takes no reservation but don't worry. Ann Marie the manager told me they never had to turn anyone away. During the time we stayed there were quite a few long term residents. They take up most of the FHU. There are plenty of W/E hook ups and a dump. The bathroom had showers which are older but very clean. Decent laundry tho 2 of the dryers were Not working but that is a common problem in most campsites. I would have given 5 stars all the way but there is some trash on the grounds I really blame campers for that. If you arrive when the office is closed or you call n get nobody as they office is closed don't give up there is a bulletin board that has a list of open sites you can pick from. Then you just pay with envelope if you are leaving before they open the next day or just catch the office help the neck day to register. The commissary on base is one of the best ones I have been to. Clean, well stock great variety. Exchange is just average. You really can't beat the location to see New England!