Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area

This was our first experience with a military campground. I am one of the newly eligible disabled vets. We went to the main gate and got registered for the base. I was given a photo ID and my husband was given a one day sponsored visitor pass. We were told that he would need to get a new pass each day. However, the personel at the campground told us they never check those after check in and not to worry unless we were going back to the main base. The commissary and exchange is located in a small plaza a few miles away and are not on the main base, so we did not have to get my husband a visitor pass when we shopped there. We went to the Naval Aviation Museum and the Lighthouse which are on the main base on a Sunday. We went through the main gate and I showed the photo ID that I was given. We expected to have to stop at the visitor center for a pass for my husband. But the guard waved us through. There are still a lot of bugs to work out on ID for the newly eligible Vets. But be patient and it will sort out. As for the campground--try to get in Battle Ship Row, especially if you have a big rig. Also, if you end up in Anchor Cove, follow the advice that some others have given--park your rig on the big concrete lot and walk into the park first. Find your spot and plan your route in carefully. Check for low overhead tree branches along the roads and your sight. Figure out how you are going to pull in or back in. We did not do that and it was a bit of a problem. Some have reported damage from overhead trees. We came in from the wrong angle. Also, you may need to pick up and move your picknic table out of the way. It wasn't the trees that got us, but the table jumped out and attacked our rig. Luckily only got a tiny dent on the fender flare. Thank goodness for diamond plate trim on lower camper sides. The camp ground was very beautiful and well maintained. Staff was friendly and helpful. Two laundry rooms are both located at Battle Ship Row. $1 to wash and $1 to dry. We even discovered that they have a pet washing room behind the newer laundry room at Battleship Row. We didn't need to give our doggie a bath while there, but will use it when we are back in the future. We plan to go back again and stay longer next time. Great introduction to military campgrounds.

On Perdido Bay, water quality issues from paper mill discharge. For two days it really smelled bad. All sites are first come first served, making it difficult to find a site suitable for our rig. Campground layout is very tight! Go slow! I finally parked and walked until we found a site. No big deal but the check desk could have reduced our effort by knowing what sites are available to fit our rig. Plan to arrive NLT 3 in order to navigate the camp. Only three bathrooms for the entire campground. But they are clean and very nice albeit humid. Family friendly. Many trails for biking or walking. Paintball and two disc golf courses are available as well. We’d come back. Pensacola NAS is short drive away. The NEX is strange and located off the NAS.

In Anchor Cove spot 68. Not really big rig frendly. Low tree branches put a hole in my skylight and tore the roof in several spots. You actually have to drive off of the road get around the tree limbs. Was not easy backing our 38 Foot 5th Wheeler in. Making turns is challenging to put it nicely. Only 30 amps available and dump station is not in a very good location for Big Rigs. Paying the extra $20.00 to stay in a area civilian part is well worth it. Will not be back.

This famcamp is always full when we come to Florida. This time we were able to secure 2 nights on Battleship row. A very nice campground by the waterfront with good utilities and facilities. The NEX and Commissary are a drive as the base is spread out over a large area. Reservations are a must for an extended stay in any famcamps in Florida in the wintertime. We will stay here again.

We stayed at the Blue Angel campground for 5 nights as we prepped our motorhome to store it on Pensacola NAS until we are to retrieve it after Christmas to then drive it down to South Texas for our stay over the Winter. It's a very nice campground in a great location! The camp host was terrific: friendly, helpful & efficient!