Fall is a wonderful time of year to get out and see America. While most take to the roads during summer, fall’s cooler temps are alluring to many, and the southern states have a lot to offer since summer-like temperatures can still linger and offer some great weather for outdoor activities.
Heading west promises some colorful foliage and the ability to explore desert landscapes that are ordinarily scorching hot.
Whether a seasoned RVer, or a novice giving RVing a try, military RV parks and campgrounds are great places to visit. The staffs are helpful, and the temporary, transient neighbors are great to get to know. Not to mention, they are all associated to the military in one way or another.
There are military campsites all over the country, but USAMM picked these 10 because they offer a lot to do, great locations, and beautiful scenery during the fall months. Here is USAMM’s 10 military RV parks to visit this fall in no particular order.
NAS Corpus Christi RV Park
Located in the great state of Texas south of USAMM’s headquarters is the NAS Corpus Christi RV Park. This place is right up on the water, and it is not just a campground but a full outdoor recreation center. This is one of the more known military RV parks on our USAMM list.
The campground is located on Corpus Christi Bay at the historical aviation training facility, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, opened in 1941. They are open year-round and provide access to all sorts of ocean activities on Corpus Christi Bay and the Laguna Madre. The park is within driving distance to many of the coastal attractions, beaches, and restaurants, including the USS Lexington and great beaches like Port Aransas.
The Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC) has powerboats to rent, and campers can fish for redfish and speckled trout. Take a boat out and campers are almost guaranteed to see dolphins swimming freely alongside of their boats.
A boat ramp is available with a dock and slips if campers have boats in tow. The ORC also has sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding equipment to rent. Fall is a great time to visit Corpus as only the winter Texans are on the coast, giving visitors plenty of room to explore.
Sigsbee Park and Trumbo Point (NAS Key West)
Going to Key West is like leaving the country and campers headed to this stop on USAMM’s military RV parks list are in for a treat. The unique landscapes and island feel of the surroundings, not to mention the warm climates, makes Key West an island paradise just waiting to be explored.
The Recreational Lodging Campground office is located on Sigsbee Park. The campground consists of 93 full hook-up sites and lots of dry camping sites on Sigsbee Park, Trumbo Point and Truman Annex.
Trumbo Point is only open seasonally from mid-October through April. Amenities include coin-operated laundry machines and shower facilities on all three annexes.
Key West is a world-class tourist destination. There is trophy fishing off the coast, SCUBA diving sites everywhere, multi-cultural eateries every block, and history on almost every corner. Just 90 miles to the south is Cuba, and the Dry Tortugas, one of the country’s remote National Parks, is also just a short plane ride or ferry away.
Manatee Cove
Located at Patrick AFB, Florida, this RV camp sits nestled along the shoreline of the Banana River which also happens to be a place where manatees come in during the cooler months. This campground has 156 full-service sites with 30/50 amp capacity, and five primitive camping sites. Amenities include laundry and shower facilities as well as a community center and private beach.
One of the key attractions to staying at Manatee Cove are the nearby beaches. Florida is known all over the world for its beaches and the famous Cocoa Beach is just minutes from this RV camp. Drive across base and cross the highway and there are great government beaches with some of Florida’s best surfing (the beaches are open to the public although they are on government land). Better yet, ride your bikes. Most military RV parks do not have this kind of access to tasty waves.
Sightseers can visit the Kennedy Space Center which is about 25 minutes away from the campground. Campers towing a boat can use the boat ramp or rent a slip at the Patrick AFB Marina. There is also a great golf course on the base.
Peregrine Pines
Located on the grounds of the U.S. Air Force Academy, this RV camp is a USAMM veteran staff favorite. Like other military RV parks, the camp is tucked into a heavily forested area. The difference with Peregrine Pines is that there are large foothills and mountains looming over the campground majestically and the sights are breathtaking.
There’s much to do here to include hiking, biking, and fishing. Make sure to check in with base officials as fishing permits maybe required and fishing might be limited to permanent party personnel.
The campgrounds offer 105 RV sites and 10 tent sites. There are laundry facilities and showers. Nearby attractions include Garden of the Gods which is a great place to spend the day hiking. For the more adventurous camper, the Pikes Peak cog train is recommended or simply drive up to the peak that overlooks Colorado Springs. It will get the adrenaline going.
Pelican Roost RV Park
Located at Mayport Naval Air Station this is the only of all military RV parks on the banks of the St. Johns River. This campground has 47 sites, including waterfront and back in sites. All campsites have electricity, water, and sewer. Additional amenities include WIFI, cable, restrooms, shower and laundry facilities, and a book swap library. Tent sites are also offered.
Fall means football season so plan the trip to include a game with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the only NFL team with a pool in their stadium. It should still be warm enough to take a dip. History buffs will enjoy visiting St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city which is about an hour south.
Campers can explore the Castillo de San Marcos, a National Park property built by Spanish explorers, and they can also check out St. Francis Barracks which is headquarters to the Florida National Guard and the only U.S. military facility named after a religious figure.
Seabreeze RV Resort
Located at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, this is one of those military RV parks with a lot to offer, including being located just a short drive from Disneyland in vibrant Orange County. The campsite is packed with amenities and also has a fitness trail to enjoy the great fall California weather.
The campground has nice cabanas and barbecue areas as well as playgrounds, sand volleyball courts and horseshoes. Of course, bring the golf clubs and put them to use on the base’s course.
Cliffside RV Park
Of all the military RV parks mentioned so far, this one is likely the most picturesque. Located at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, this RV camp offers amazing views of Vancouver Island and landmarks like the Olympic Peninsula and the San Juan Islands. Campers who have never traveled to this region of the country should be prepared to be surprised. The beauty there is everywhere, although it can be a little wet.
The campgrounds have every amenity imaginable along with a private beach. Campers can also take advantage of the base’s golf course and recreational facilities. For those feeling really adventurous, Canada is not far away.
Desert Eagle RV Park
Located on Nellis AFB, Nevada, this entry on the USAMM list of military RV parks is ideal for those wanting to explore the desert landscape. A huge draw is Las Vegas which is just a short 25-minute drive. The city that never sleeps is nearby calling for campers to try their luck.
The campground has an ample 226 sites, and only four do not have complete hookups. WIFI, laundry facilities, movie theater, gym, and museums are some of the local amenities.
A great place to visit is the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds museum which is a unique immersive experience into the world of the aerial demonstration team. Lastly, for those who like jets, come ready to bird watch.
Fort Belvoir Travel Camp
A great site to camp on USAMM’s military RV parks list is the Fort Belvoir Travel Camp. The camp is open all year long, seven days a week.
It is located along the shore of the Potomac River and only a 30-minute drive to Washington, D.C. There are 52 fully loaded 40-foot RV camping spaces available. Each camp site has a picnic table, fire ring for grilling and a perfect view of the Potomac River. Castle Park, two fishing piers, and wildlife refuge hiking trails are all within walking distance from the campground. Outdoor recreation offers additional services to include equipment rental, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking and boating.
Campers can head into Washington, D.C. and check out all the district has to offer, or head south and explore Civil War battlefields scattered all over northern Virginia.
Pine View Campground
Any military RV parks list would not be complete without the Pine View Campground. Located on Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, it is open to the public. It has more than 100 RV sites with varying amenities.
Campsites are available May through November, and the post offers paintball, gun ranges, paddleboats, canoes and kayaks, playgrounds, hiking, biking, mini golf, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, swimming beach (although it may be cold in the fall), and a dog park.
For the uninitiated, Wisconsin is a wonderful state, and this campground will make a camper feel like they are young and at camp again.