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What is a FamCamp?
A FamCamp is a campground run by the military for people with a military connection.
The short answer
The name comes from the Air Force, short for family camp. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force run the same kind of place under other names: RV park, travel camp, recreation area, or recreational lodging.
They are run by each base’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation office, or Force Support on Air Force bases. Camper fees keep them open, not tax dollars.
What you will find
VetCamps tracks 234 of them in 47 states. Across those listings:
- About 3 in 4 have full-hookup sites.
- More than 8 in 10 offer 50 amp service.
- Almost all allow pets.
- More than 8 in 10 are open year round.
- About 3 in 10 also rent cabins or cottages.
The Army and Air Force run the most camps, followed by the Navy. Each camp page lists its own hookups, sites, and amenities.
Inside the gate or outside it
About 7 in 10 sit inside a base gate. To reach one, you need a way onto the base, and base access is what decides who can stay.
The rest sit outside the gate: lake and beach recreation areas, mountain resorts, and Guard training sites. Those publish their own rules, and a few are open to the public.
Who can stay
Active duty, Guard and Reserve, and retirees, with their families. Since 2020, veterans whose VA health card reads SERVICE CONNECTED, PURPLE HEART, or FORMER POW can stay too, as can VA-approved caregivers. Access for DoD civilians and guests is set by each base.
Veterans on the VA card usually stop at the base visitor center on the first visit. Bring a REAL ID or passport along with the VA card.
For the details and the myths, read Who can stay at Military FamCamps.
How booking works
Every camp sets its own rules. Some take reservations online, some by phone only, and some are first come, first served. Many cap how long you can stay, and some let you book further ahead if you are active duty. Check-in is usually at the camp office or the base Outdoor Recreation office, with a drop box for late arrivals.
Each camp page shows how that camp books, its phones, and its office hours.
Before you go
- Call the office. Hours, rules, and closures change.
- Know your base’s firearms rules before the gate. Read Can you bring firearms to Military FamCamps.
- Plan to arrive in daylight. Gates and check-in are easier before dark.
More field notes in Guides.