Have you ever stayed at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground? FMCA has created a guide to these “hidden gem” campgrounds.
Background
The Army Corps of Engineers serves the U.S. through public services. In fact, the organization is composed of nearly 40,000 civilians and soldiers working to improve the nation’s infrastructure in projects such as constructing dams or building lake reservoirs.
The organization is present in 43 states and manages more than 450 lakes and waterways, which the public can access for fishing, boating, and camping. Some of these areas charge day-use fees. You can purchase an annual access pass for $40 to enter the day-use areas; camping fees are not included with pass entry.
About COE Campgrounds
Many regard Corps of Engineers campgrounds (often nicknamed “COE campgrounds”) as the best public camping areas in the country. For an RVer that loves water activities like fishing or boating, they are especially ideal.
Most of the campgrounds are located in primitive areas. They are known for for being well-maintained. Simple amenities like shower houses, restrooms, water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings are available. Some COE campgrounds offer full RV hookups, and nearly all have asphalt-paved sites for RVs.
Also, it’s worth noting that COE Campgrounds are different than military campgrounds, as the public can access them.
Finding a Campground
Now let’s talk about why many RVers think of COE Campgrounds as “hidden gems.” Quite frankly, it can be hard to locate the campgrounds and to find information about them.
Here are a few resources to help you locate and make reservations at COE Campgrounds:
Corps Lakes Gateway
The Army Corps of Engineers’ main website to find recreation opportunities, including camping locations. The site lists all camping options – primitive, tent, RV, etc.
Visit Now
Interactive Map on Corps Lakes Gateway
This map may be one of the simplest ways to search for COE Campgrounds. In the yellow map in the center of the page, click on the state you wish to visit. The site will display a map of that state, showing all recreation areas.
Visit Now
Recreation.gov
This is the site to visit to make reservations for a COE Campground. Please note the site features ALL COE offerings, including day shelters, recreation facilities, and campgrounds. On this website, some campgrounds allow you to check availability ahead of time. For all campgrounds, the site lists a comprehensive directory of amenities and attractions to help you plan your next trip with ease.
Visit Now
Guidebook
Let someone else do the work for you, and pick up this guidebook: Camping with the Corps of Engineers: The Complete Guide to Campgrounds Built and Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Yes, we know it’s a long-winded name, but it’s an easy-to-use guide that sorts COE Campgrounds by state and reservoir. It is published by Wright Guides and was last updated in June 2015.
Purchase Now
Summary
The bottom line: If you can find a COE Campground on your travels and are needing a site with basic amenities, you will probably be pleased with your stay. COE Campgrounds are an affordable camping option for RVers. Enjoy your stay!
Have you visited a COE Campground? Tell us your favorite in the comments below.
Just love COE campgrounds. Kind of off the beaten path, but they are worth the drive. Usually peaceful and sometimes you just need to decompress. Thank you for the informative article.
The link is not working for the “Interactive Map on Corps Lakes Gateway”. Hoping it can be fixed soon!
Does anyone know if Canadians can camp for a few days at a COE campground
No problem.
can Canadians camp at COE and for how long
Is there a way to search all COE campgrounds that have full hookups without having to look at each site to find out if they have fhu?
There is a COE book online or at Camping World which gives excellent information on campgrounds.
[email protected] I would like to know too.
I stayed at a COE campground in central KS in 2016. Excellent stay. I plan to return.
We were just at Twin Lake in Pendleton, SC. Beautiful area near Clemson.
Arkansas has some of the best COE campgrounds, with full hookups ,quiet and on the River. River barge traffic near the Lock and Dams is fascinating.
Great tips. Thanks for sharing, Donna!
We enjoyed Foscue Campground in Demopolis, Alabama. Full hookups and beautiful, well maintained campground.
Will definitely look for COE campgrounds in future travels.
Foscue Creek, as well as other campgrounds on the Alabama/Tenn/Tom waterways have lock and dam systems, usually with nearby campgrounds. There’s nothing like witching the barges and boat pass thru those locks!
Note to Senoirs …you can purchase a lifetime pass for COE sites that gives you 50 percent off! They are usually
$10-15 per night!! And you can reserve a site for up to 2 weeks! I use them all the time…they are always well kept, beautifully, natural areas! One of my favorite places is Bandit’s Roost on Kerr Scott Lake in Wilkes County,NC. There are many waterfront sites on a peninsula!
Do you know if Arizona has any COE campgrounds
2 Alamo lake and painted rock dam. Wouldn’t recommend painted rock dam area , Alamo lake is nice
I bought my Lifetime Pass (in the dropdown menu on reservation.gov I check Golden Age Pass) for $10 about ten years ago. The price has risen, but only a few nites in a COE campground or a couple of National Parks entrances will pay for itself.
COE stays are generally half price … and no booking fees, taxes, or entrance fees, unlike greedy states like The Mitten [thanks, ayatollah gretch] which tax the heck out of the camper—-as well as daily entrance fees (out-of-staters pay MUCH more).
I’ll stay at four COE parks for seven nites during our 24-nite trip to and from The Mitten this summer.
Yes please do tell how to get a lifetime pass? Thank you!
I absolutely have loved and enjoyed the COE campgrounds I have visited. The fees are family and wallet friendly and they have always been clean and well managed. I like that they are usually around a source of water.
Are there ant Texas sites with full hookups?
I’m a retired, disabled vet, and have the access pass that was sent by the national parks service. When I tried to apply for the discount at several COE campgrounds it didn’t allow me (#153912789) I’m 63 and could apply for the senior pass (assuming I’d have to pay the $80) vs my ‘free’ disability pass. My buddy had the ‘senior’ pass and he did get the discount. I’m about to start another trip just trying to figure out what I’m doing wrong or if I’m just not eligible for the discount, p.s. I’m a 21 year veteran, not that I think that matters.
I have been looking for sites to camp at in Alabama, but in looking I rarely ever find a printable map of the camp sites in each campground. I have never camped in corps locations but have camped in many state campgrounds as well as private campgrounds, most all of them have printable maps.