Fairchild AFB FamCamp

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.

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.

We stayed at Fairchild for the first time Sat-Mon, 7-9 July. We had read the reviews, were aware of the previous problems, and experienced much the same as has been recently reported by visitors in July 2007. I went to the Outdoor Rec office Monday the 9th and made several suggestions, alongst them being to place a sign along with a pad of registration slips and a deposit box ON THE WALL OF THE LATRINE BUILDING, and get rid of the post-mounted "Iron Ranger".
Secondly, retain a cadre of volunteer campers who will assume the job of Camp Host as it is at most other military campgrounds...i.e., BE THERE when the Outdoor Rec office is closed, and take the responsibilities seriously...represent the Base Commander, be available, and above all, be responsive and effective. The Space #1 "Camp Host" was indeed a young Lieutenant and spouse...he had an active duty day job and presumably was there during off-duty hours. However, on Saturday and Sunday the host was NOT there. There was an ass't Host, a retired Marine and spouse, who were very helpful, but they also worked fulltime weekdays.....but again, IF the outdoor rec office is open, that's the place to obtain assistance from...otherwise, it is the Camp Host, but they MUST either be there, or be dismissed from their volunteer status. I'm planning on copying these most recent reports and attaching mine, and mailing them to the Commander of the Fairchild Services Suqadron and finding out why this situation persists. It can easily be resolved with some attention from the Services Squadron, IMHO. Otherwise, Fairchild is a great base! Good Commissary and BX...great outdoor facilities, easy to get to Spokane, good place for running, too. Very clean base. Good selection of sites at the FamCamp, some trees and landscaping would sure help appearance.

"Heather" answering the phones at Outdoor Rec was clueless when asked what gate RVs should use. However, she transferred my call to the Visitor Center where a squared-away staff person confirmed the commercial gate on Rambo Road was recommended. Alert: use your "other Left" after going through the Rambo gate. The RR tracks will be on your RIGHT, take the first RIGHT over those RR tracks. At the intersection of Hansell & Bong, turn LEFT. Bong will narrow down from 4 lanes to two near the Post Office off to your right. You turn right at the intersection of Seattle then take the next left where Bong continues to it's end at O'Malley. When you cross that intersection it turns into El Paso. The entrance to the FAMCAMP is a sharp right. The newer 50A sites are the two rows to your right and the older 30 amp sites are in the section to your left. I give this FAMCAMP a straight "C" grade because it has so much potential but no evidence that higher-level Base management has any interest in the RVing lifestyle. The campground seems to be the neglected step-child of Outdoor Rec which would rather be doing anything but serving the RVing public. I'm still grateful for the 50Amp full hook-up pull-thrus and the $15 nightly rate but, sadly, this campground is nowhere near the superior facilities I've enjoyed at other military bases (see all my reviews). We were greeted shortly after taking a vacant spot by a friendly lady who stated she "helps out" when the camp hosts weren't there. She even went out of her way to bring us a self-registration envelope which I later filled out, put a check into, and deposited in the "Iron Ranger". I decided to cut short our visit here after we previewed a first-class RV resort in Deer Park, WA. For now, this FAMCAMP is still adequate for a short stay but for a week or longer I'm willing to pay twice the price somewhere else so long as it includes even a hint of the VIP treatment we all hope our money will buy.

It's a shame the way this "cash cow" is being treated ! The weeds continue to grow and add all the bugs too. The men's room has one shower working ( the other has been out of order all year ). The common use building seems to be cleaned once a week or so------not enough. The irrigation in the area has been broken since last year and will not be fixed. I guess Services will milk this cow until it dies but not put a dime back into it.----Update, they have hired someone to mow the area and provided soaker hoses if you want to grow the grass. Area looks a lot better.---Update 2,30JUN07, New washer and dryers add to the value. A Co Host who does a better job of looking after the area has been added.

Appreciated reviews prior to our arrival. Rambo (commerical entrance is about l mile east of main entrance. After entering take left across railroad tracks and follow to Bong then right. Passed on trying to locate host, went directly to Outdoor Recreation office, big yellow building on corner of Doolittle and Bong. Base and city information was obtained there. Tried to eat at mess hall and found a new directive indication that retired and such may only eat on holidays and so forth. Enjoyed shopping at facilities, good burgers at Burger King. Would stop here again.

Left from the Directory software: This famcamp has great potential, but continues to deteriorate. The "Host" is an active duty Lt. stationed here at Fairchild and his wife is a schoolteacher. They do as little as possible and will even refuse to answer their door when campers come seeking info on how to check in. Of course, the section running this campground abuses decent camp hosts to the point where NOBODY will do it more than one season and several have invented reasons to leave before completing their 'contract'. Last year, there were at least five camp hosts in residence at one time and all laughed when asked if they would be willing to do it again, so the base has finally gotten what it has been asking for -- the bottom of the camp host barrel. (One current camper stated that in her opinion, the "hosts" feel the job is "beneath them".) The base constructed an 8-foot high berm around two sides of the famcamp to "enhance the privacy of the occupants." The consensus of the "occupants" is that it is to "hide the trailer trash". It does, however, provide a lot of rocks for the base housing urchins to throw at campers' cars and some windshields have been broken. Very few people spend any time outdoors because sitting in knee-high weeds is very unappealing. The laundry has two washers and two dryers. The dryers leave clothes damp after 45 minutes. The base has a nice BX and Commissary. The Library is very nice and has WiFi. The Hospital was downgraded to a clinic. The VA Medical Center is only about 15 - 20 minutes away and there is easy access to I-90. A recent change was made restricting "large" RV's to entering only through the commercial gate on Rambo Road during Monday to Friday working hours. After hours and on weekends, they are allowed to go through the main gate. (The DOD guards just shake their heads and say, "Hey, this brainstorm wasn't OUR idea!") If they would just put some honest effort into this campground, it could be great. It would also be a money maker. However, nobody at this base with the authority to make the needed changes seems to have the vision necessary. It is really a shame.

No adequate playing area/playground for kids, but nice concrete bike/scooter path. Host at the time very friendly. Showers and laundry tidy, functional and closeby. Lots of sites near, and base easy to understand/manuever. Recycling in campground.

Campground has lots of potential but very neglected. Rumor has it that the camp host has several jobs. Couldn't find him on several attempts. Full hookups (50amps) are in good working order.

A nice campground going downhill from one year to the next through neglect on the part of the Outdoor Rec people running it. Camp Host is part time. Still, a good bargain for the area.

Consistantly full. Nice walking paths.I rated this park average due to the fact that the laundry is small, the bathrooms were stuffy and small and especially the lack of information when we checked in, no one could even tell us where to find a Walmart or other civilian store with out sending us on a wild goose chase.Better visitor information could be given maybe in the form of paper flyers?? Commissary/BX has detour while roads are bieng resurfaced.

Treeless sites have 50amp. Good place to see area from. Half of sites are treeless, no shade.