Review Detail

Fallon NAS, home of the Top Guns Directions: At the junction of Hwy 95 and Hwy 50, continue south on Hwy 95 which is Taylor Street (There is a Jack in the Box fast food sign on the corner). Go several miles on Taylor Street to Wildes (There will be a Fairgrounds on the right side on Taylor Street) turn to the left. (This road looks unlikely but it is the road you want) Right after you turn left there will be somewhat of a fork. Bear right. Continue on Wildes until you see the beginning of the fence perimeter for the base. Turn right. This will be Pasture Road. (This road also looks to be unlikely.) Go past the main gate and continue on to the South Gate. Turn left off Pasture Road to enter the gate. After going through the gate take THE FIRST LEFT immediately after the gate. Then take the very next left and follow this road around base housing. Go through the first 4 way stop and the campground is two blocks ahead on the left. Look for the netted driving range and you will see the campground. When this campground (Coyote Junction) was laid out, just two years ago, it was laid out backwards (IMHO). The hookups are located so as the windshield is facing Southwest. In the afternoon when one would want to sit outside under the awning, the sun is hitting the awning side broadside out of the West. In order to sit in the shade, one has to sit on the sewer side. The whole park is pea-gravel with beautiful long level pull-thru concrete slabs for the RV to sit on. The pads are just wide enough for the RV with no patio. Large wide sites with plenty of room for slides and awnings. (Be careful about leaving RV with awning out as the desert winds kick up at anytime). There are no actual streets in the park, just pea-gravel areas down a line of RV's. Good maneuvering room for big rigs. There are no trees for shade, shrubs or grass. The contractor that installed the water system has had 8 sites that failed due to freezing and pipes bursting. They want $45,000 to fix it so of the 25 sites (per campground host), 8 are no water but with 30/50 amp electric and sewer for $10 per night. The other 17 sites (minus the #1 host's site) are full hookup for $13 per night or $77 per week, $300 per month. The old campground is used for overflow but has only 30 amp. If necessary a water hose can be hooked up to a 'Y' fitting to accommodate the sites that don't have water. The water has some sediment in it so be sure to filter your water and maybe think about bottled water for drinking. There is no CATV at this time. There is a dump station and several dumpsters along with re-cycle bins. They DO take reservations so check in at the recreation rental building (across the street in building # 393 where you will see the rental trailers, etc. Hours: M-F 0800-1700, SA 0800-1600 closed SU Phone 426-2598) If after operating hours check with the camp host on site #1 before sitting up so as to be certain you are not on a reserved site. Also, be sure to check if you have a water site if needed. The park is less than 1/2 full at this time in July. The laundry is free, new and clean as are the restrooms! A key from Outdoor Rec is required for the laundry and the bathrooms. You are allowed to wash your vehicles on site. No clotheslines allowed. Satellite is good, Verizon is on extended network and Verizon broadband is on roaming. Although the park is pet friendly, unless you can carry your pet to the designated walking area at the north end of the park, they will have to walk across very hot gravel. The commissary is somewhat small compared to larger bases but very adequate and nearby, as is the NEX. Also ITT/Library/Internet Cafe, the gas station (no diesel) the bowling alley, free theater, Hot Stuff Pizza, the gym and weight room are all within walking distance. Turn to the right out of the park and then turn left at the stop sign. Down this street is where you will find everything. Follow the street down to where it curves to the right. Turn right at the stop sign and you will see the commissary and NEX and Subway located in the same building. There is a swimming pool on base. The car wash is right across from the campground but is currently broke and it sounds like it has been broken for a long time. A short drive brings you to the base outdoor air museum. Even though the flightline is close by the campground, we seldom heard planes, at least on this visit. We were told when a carrier is in (California) and the planes are off-loaded, the planes run day and night. Nine miles from the base is the town of Fallon, population 8,299, and it has everything one would need including a hospital and a brand new super Wal-Mart. ACE Hardware has a pretty good supply of RV articles. We were surprised at the size of the town. When you come here, remember it is desert camping and in the summer during the afternoons, it does get HOT, (106 degrees today, July 4th.) The nights are very cool and the mornings are wonderfully cool. There are no picnic tables at this time so if you have a portable table, bring it. No bar-b-que grills on site but there are two over by the laundry room. No fire rings. Virginia City, Carson City, the Reno area (all around 60 or so miles) are good day trips from the base.
The campground host, 'Red', is from south Georgia and goes out of his way to show his Southern hospitality. Very friendly, helpful and informative. He immediately welcomed us as we pulled our rig into the park. His wife, PJ, came over to the motorhome and told us if we needed anything, to not hesitate and ask. Very nice people. We would stay here again but I don't think in the summer.