Navy Lodging Program

I picked up a brochure called "Navy Lodging Program, Worldwide Location Guide". It has 2 sections, one labeled as "Navy Gateway Inns & Suites" and the other "Navy Getaways" which includes RV parks and rec areas. Under the listng of about two-thirds of the camping facilites is a phone number 1-877-NAVY-BED. Does that mean you have to call that number to make a reservation? The other parks list the facility phone number. Also, there is a statement in the RV section that says "Please check with each installation for specific reservation requirements". I though I read that all Navy campgrounds are going to the 6 month advance reservations. I can only speak for Pelican Roost and Eagle Hammock. The managers told me they allow reservations 6 months out now for retirees.

I forgot something in above post. I know of 2 Navy Campgrounds that didn't allow reservations. They are Shields at the Gulfport Seebee base and Blue Angel at Pensacola. Are they going to take reservations now? I hope so. I won't be staying at them but will be in the area of each next month. I will visit them and find out.

Currently, only a few Navy military campgrounds accept reservations. Even then, some that are part of the new reservation system only accept reservations for active duty.

Good questions Frank A. and I was asking myself some of the same questions. I did ask at some of the Navy FamCamps we have been to and the answer I got back was if you could make a reservation before you can still do so and you can call to make the reservation if you want to; if the FamCamp did not have a reservation policy before that will not change. It is my understanding the impetus behind this is that all Navy Bases are using the same software program for all types of housing reservations and we as campers are allowed to make a reservation 6 months out now rather than the 3 or 4 months etc. we had prior to the software change. If any of this is incorrect please let us know.

Frank A. I just got back to Clermont FL from staying at Shields Park in Gulfport CBC and they did take reservations. I had planned on dates of 1-10 Apr 13 but extended thru Sunday the 14th. However we decided to get home early and left today for home. They don't give refunds so Sat and Sun are paid for if anyone wants to us them. There are a few things you need to have ready to get on base it seems the Navy and Marine bases not only do 100% ID check but you are required to get either a daily pass or stickers for your vehicle. I'm retired AF and we don't use the stickers anymore. While it was a small site 48 I believe there are several active duty that stay there permanently. I asked the camp superviser how long active duty can stay there and she informed me forever or until the Navy says no. The park is just inside the Pass Road gate. Try to stay in the middle of the park if you get along the short stay sites you will be blessed with the blue lights at the gate that the guards love to turn on for extended amounts of time at night. Then there is the sirens from just over the fence where the locals seem to either set stuff on fire or decide to be disruptive and have the law called out. And we cannot forget about the 4 trains that run at night and one of them at around 2 am wants to stop and blow the engine whistle for about 20 minutes. But other than that it was a wonderful time. If you arrive after duty hours make sure you call first to find out where you are going to be located and don't forget to get the code to the restrooms and laundry facility or you will be rushing to get the RV hooked up to ease the pain. lol. :laugh:

That is good news. They must have just started the reservation system. We stayed at Keesler last week but had intended to go to Gulfport due to all the problems at Keesler in the past. We were on the road and got into a very big storm in Ocean Springs with 60 mile an hour winds. We got caught on the Ocean Springs-Biloxi bridge and it wasn't a good experience. Then we got sandblasted on Highway 90 in Biloxi. My wife had called Gulfport and they had a spot for us but by the time we got to Biloxi I was tired of fighting the winds and took a chance on Keesler. Thanks for the informtion. And by the way. I love trains. I love waking up at 3:00 in the morning and hearing those whistles. Now, police and fire sirens are another thing.