Fairchild AFB FamCamp

We were passing through on July 14th and called at 1900 to enquire about a spot for the night instead of the sketchy casino parking lot that we had scoped out. The camp host answered and welcomed us on over to a pull-thru site with FHU and a good night's rest. We did not have time to check anything out on base but it seemed quiet and looked a lot like Ellsworth AFB. We were directed to use the commercial gate by the camp host and I am glad we did but the commercial gate is narrow as well but without the slalom course. They do not take reservations and the place was about 2/3's full and we are glad we stopped.

Arrived Sunday evening. Checked-in with camp host and paid cash ($35), only form of payment that could be accepted. Monday ODR closed for holiday. No receipt provided. Handful of other campers in the park. Was quiet, sites are level with gravel pads. Grassy areas. Bathroom and Laundry closed for renovation. Did have wi-fi that worked for us.

Not much has changed here over the years. Still a dry landscape with dead weeds. The older section has trees and shade, the newer is treeless. All sites are pull through with convenient and good hookups. Pulling into the park, swing wide to make the sharp angle to the host (first) site. Stop there and get an assignment, then set up and drive over to Outdoor Rec to pay. WiFi worked well, Verizon cell/data was strong, and there were ample OTA TV stations. Some sites in the older area might be a problem for rooftop dishes. Pretty quiet, some flying at night but not loud enough to be bothersome. Easy on and off base using the Rambo gate. Although no reservations, rare to have all spots occupied.

The Famcamp is very easy to access from Interstate 90 or US2. As of this writing, all traffic entering the base must go through the commercial gate on Rambo Road. The base is on the dry side of the state of Washington, and gets very little natural rainfall in the summer. As noted in earlier reviews, don’t expect any amount of lush, green grass however, the interior roads are well-maintained, and the sites are adequately spaced. The bathrooms and the laundry room were clean. The base has a nice, medium-sized commissary and exchange.

This was just a two night stop for us between destination campgrounds. It was in the right location and was a good value at $25 per night. We did not use any of the base facilities or the campground restrooms or laundry facilities. The camp hosts site Site 25 were friendly, helpful and efficient. I paid with a credit card so had to go to Outdoor Rec. The Outdoor Rec representative was again, friendly, helpful and efficient. The site was level and all the utilities worked. We were able to get our Sat dish in as we were in the more open section. The campground was full both nights. Our Verizon cell service was good. As others have mentioned, the grass is not attractive and the sites are close. The grass is consistent with how difficult it is to grow grass in that area of the country.

As you pull in to Family Campground, there is a sign on the left that says, Stop and check in with the host. I had been driving all day and was tired and didn't see the sign, I was driving the speed limit. I picked a spot and planned to speak to the host as it was Sunday. After I parked, I saw a man at the entrance looking at me, I waved at him, and he waved for me to come up to his location. I drove my fully self contained 2019 class B Promaster Motorhome to his location and stopped, put on my mask per the COVID mandate, he had no mask on. He examined my RV and said in an angry and aggressive tone of voice, "you're supposed to stop here and check-in!" His body language was threatening. I said, "I didn't know." He said, "the sign is right there, and you blew right by it!!" >:( I said in a defensive and guarded tone, "I have been driving all day and am tired, I didn't see the sign." : ( He looked at my RV again and said, "the bathrooms and showers are not available, and you have to have hookups!" I said, "I am fully self-contained and don't need hookups, and have black water and grey water holding tanks." He said, "you have a toilet in there!?" I said, "Yes, I am fully self-contained." In a rude tone of voice, he said, "Park on the side of the road and get out and sit down on the bench!" >:( I parked, got out, and sat down on the bench with my mask on per COVID mandate, he never put a mask on the entire time we conversed. He asked me how many days I would be staying!? I said, "4 nights." He told me the basics for getting signed in on Monday and where to go, gave me the paperwork. He finished up, I got up and left - without - thanking him. I don't think he deserved any recognition or thanks for anything because of how he treated me. I'm a survivor of Military Sexual Trauma and feel unsafe and guarded here. I don't trust him and worry about the staff at the center where I am going to pay for my space is going to have a similar attitude. I can't just leave as I have been driving all day and have nowhere to go. I may edit this review and add how they treat me. He is not an approachable man, and I was not mean to him. I strive to be approachable and kind in my conversations. I made an effort to disarm the situation, but he continued to be aggressive and rude. I don't think this campground is friendly and safe and will debate if I am going to stay more than one night. I don't think it's worth the long drive here to stay for any period. I wish to note: after I parked near the host site and was hooking up my electrical, a truck with a 5th wheel pulled in without stopping. The host didn't react the same way towards them as he did towards me. The truck and 5th wheel parked, the occupants went to speak to the host. I didn't hear any brash words in any way from the camp host while they had a discussion. I have been to other campgrounds on other military bases and treated with respect from the hosts, unlike this campground host.

The only pros that non-emotionally come to mind is that it is $25 a day, the camphost/ODR staff are friendly, and the security of an installation. This location is one of the most poorly maintained famcamps I have stayed. The sites are close together; it is difficult to navigate the roads as they are narrow and the trees make it more complicated for larger RVs. The grass really isn't grass but instead dried shrubbery mixed with dirt, weeds, and thorns; not a great place for pets. This place is not even very close to Spokane, Coeur D'Alene, or any other attractive location I can think of unless you consider the Commissary a fun location. Need less to say, I will stay off base next time I return to this area as Liberty Lake, WA, CDA and Hayden, ID areas have much more attractive RV parks. The only reason I would even consider staying here again is if I were required to temporarily work on base. Very disappointing.

Daily rate is now $25. I don't know what they're doing with the extra $$, but they're not spending it on irrigation. We've been coming to this campground on and off for nearly 10 years, and have never seen a single blade of green grass, except in front of the host's site. We will probably stay here again if in the Spokane area, but only due to price.

Small and closing for winter when we arrived. The staff was cool but located not on the campground but at the MWR shop near target reference point Burger King. The gym was very nice for the small size of the base. Sites were good size and level. Would stay again.