Ellsworth AFB FamCamp

We do agree with all of the comments made by benjamin2014. This FamCamp has been a great experience for us. Not homesteading, but we were able to extend our stay from the 2 weeks we scheduled to 7 weeks. We started our stay in the off season and it changed to high while we were there with an average cost of approximately $22 per day for the RV lot. Chris was outstanding, provided all required support and information about the local area. The installation has three gates, we used the 24/7 Main Gate, The Patriot Gate is open 6AM to 6PM Monday thru Friday, road is next to the FamCamp, a Commercial Gate is approximately 2 miles from the Main Gate on the other side of I-90 and is open 6AM to 6PM Monday thru Friday, 6AM to 1PM on Saturday. We have not used the Commercial Gate. We only encountered Active Duty Gate Guards, they were all friendly, courteous and professional. The camp has 51 full hook-up sites with 30/50 AMP, water and sewer, (21 pull through sites). Also there are 12 overflow sites with 30 AMP only. The laundry facility is great with 4 new high capacity washers and 6 new dryers. We had no idea how much of America’s history was made in this area. Just some of the places we visited are: Mount Rushmore, Chief Crazy Horse (we participated in a Volksmarch up to the carving), Devils Tower, Air and Space Museum (with Minuteman II Missile Silo on Ellsworth AFB tour for $8 per person), Badlands (white prairie dog town, mountain sheep, 1909 Prairie Homestead, beautiful landscape), Custer State Park (with begging burrows, 1300 head of free ranging buffalo, other wild life), Needles Highway (eye of the needle rock formation), Spearfish Water Falls, and Deadwood. Some of our local commercial activities included: Bear Country USA, Roy’s Drive-in Movie Theatre in Hermosa, ATV Rentals ($90 for 4 hours with a military discount, Mad Mountain Rentals) and the Hollingsworth Horse Ranch in Custer (unescorted trail rides). This is a long write up, but the area is really a great place to visit and Ellsworth AFB had everything we needed at a reasonable price and with a friendly, professional attitude. We have a 45’ Class A and a Wrangler Unlimited.

This is an update to the directions. We are a 45' motorhome towing a pickup. The sign regarding 29' RVs using the commercial gate is gone. The main gate (Liberty) has 2 swing gate type barriers. The barriers can be opened if necessary. We had no problem going around the barriers and through the gate. A 45' motorhome towing a long trailer might have a problem. Previous directions from the main gate to the FamCamp are good. Services are very convenient to the campground. Good sidewalks for walkers but the mosquitoes are horrendous. Lawn maintenance around the pull thru sites seems not to be a priority as the grass was pretty long. Added: Patriot Gate (by the FamCamp) has 2 swing gate barriers at the entrance. These gates are closer together than those at the main gate and clearance for a 45’ coach with tow vehicle may be a problem. The gates can be opened if necessary.

We are a 45' motorhome towing a truck Big changes. The overflow sites are now directly across from the newer pull thru sites, just east of the child care center. Nice sites, but a big rig might have trouble getting in as the access is narrow. Changes being made to the Patriot Gate (the one next to the famcamp), but hard to tell exactly what they are doing. It looks like they are installing barriers that big rigs towing will probably not fit through. We had planned to come in the main gate, but there is now a sign saying rigs over 29 feet should use the commercial gate. We checked out the main gate and they have installed barriers that you have to curve around to get through. Big rigs will have trouble. Best way to the commercial gate if you are going East on I-90 is to use exit 63 (which has a sign saying commercial gate). Follow that road until the next sign saying commercial gate which is a left turn. After the gate watch for Spaatz Road (should be past Davis George and Eaker)and turn right. Take that to Schriever go left one block to Arnold. Go straight on Arnold to the famcamp. Other than that, past comments all apply.

We have stayed in military campgrounds from coast to coast and this one is near the top of our list. Perfect location with access to many historical sites, state and national parks. The FamCamp is clean, level sites, free laundry, WiFi that actually works, wide spots spaced apart from your neighbor, friendly staff and camp hosts. The Exchange, Commissary and Express are smaller but adequate. Military clothing is in the Exchange. There is a separate store by the food court for home/garden. The Express (base gas station or shop-ette, depending on how "old school" you are) actually has diesel and it is about one block from the FamCamp!! Make sure you visit the base museum and take the missile silo tour where you get to go down in the silo. 

We've averaged two visits a year for some time, but in the last year we've been disappointed by the lack of management and the rise of prices. This time around, we called and were told that we could arrive and take site 39, which we did. Before parking, we called and had to leave a message. After setting up and pulling out on our way to the commissary, we were called by Chris and told we were in the wrong site. At the office, he said we were lucky since they were leaving for the day (Friday, 1300), and that we had to move immediately because someone was coming in for that site. Since there were empty sites, we asked if we couldn't remain; Chris became agitated and rudely told us that "we have to assign sites based on long term stays". OK, we said, and moved to another site. That evening the site was occupied, and the next morning - the site was empty. So there was no reason for us to move. In our experience of eleven years of full timing and many military RV parks, we sense that the RV park is an afterthought to the folks in Rec Services. In addition, although we had planned to stay a month, the lack of a monthly rate at $28/day is unreasonable; we're staying in a park very close to Rapid City, with full hookups including electric, exercise room, library, working WiFi, cable, etc., for nearly $200 less than Ellsworth. I think we've made our last visit there. Hopefully they'll start paying attention to service and reasonable rates.

One of the nicest FamCamps we've stayed in. Quiet, clean, walking distance to shoppette, and there's a thrift shop on base with all sorts of treasures. Concrete pads, easy hookups, and nothing beats hearing reville in the morning! There is overflow area, or park in front of Dakota Club. Not far from Rapid City, and all the Black Hills attractions. Free Laundry. The grass will become 12" high before they mow it though, that's the only possible thing to fuss about with this campground. Wifi was passable, but not wonderful.