In a life that requires multiple deployments, frequent moves and single parenthood every TDY, sometimes a military family just needs a break. We crave a place to relax, recoup and rejuvenate-without relinquishing all that hazard pay savings from Deployment No. 3.
That’s why many military families choose to vacation military-style. The cool part is, we’ve got some fabulous options… >>
There are more than 200 military recreation areas – campgrounds, RV parks, cabins and lodging areas-available to military ID card holders and Department of Defense employees in the United States. These are in addition to the six popular and widely known Armed Forces Recreation Centers-places like Honolulu’s Hale Koa Resort and Orlando’s Shades of Green Resort.
Some of us travel far to spend a few days of rest at one of these locations. But for many military families, these recreation areas are right in their own installation backyards. Here are a few you’ll love…
THE CABINS AT FORT STORY/CAPE HENRY INN
For her R&R, Army wife Jennifer Hall booked the Log Cabins at Fort Story through the military-run Cape Henry Inn and Beach Club near Norfolk, VA. At Fort Story, she, her husband and her four children stayed together in a two-story, fully-furnished cabin with a loft, a fireplace and a full kitchen.
“The quaint cabin, having way more space than a hotel room, was right by the ocean for half the cost,” says Hall, who paid $68 per night when she stayed in 2009.
Prices for cabins, cottages and bungalows there currently range from $70 to $175 per night. Three years after her vacation, Hall still recommends that recreation area to friends looking for an affordable family vacation within driving distance of home.
“We always look for military lodging or military recreation lodging first, as it’s such a price discount,” she says. Compared to a standard hotel vacation, “there was more privacy, and we didn’t have to worry about the kids being quiet.”
Another plus: No need to find a pet-sitter or kennel, for your pets are also permitted in bungalows and cabins.
SAN ANTONIO RECREATION PARK AT CANYON LAKE
A love of the outdoors brought National Guard spouse Suellen Doughman and her family to Joint Base San Antonio Recreation Park at Canyon Lake near San Antonio, Texas, when they had a break between semesters of her husband’s Army schooling.
“It was so laid back, just the lake and us with no worries. I’m pretty sure we didn’t have cell phone service, which was really nice,” she explains. “The only people I needed to hear from were with me.”
The Doughman family used their military ID card to rent a boat from the MWR facility at their home duty station at Fort Sam Houston, then drove the boat an hour to Canyon Lake, where they anchored down and enjoyed long afternoons of swimming and tubing. At night, they rented a two-bedroom, fully-furnished cabin on the Randolph Air Force Base side of the lake, where they grilled out and enjoyed the warm Texas nights.
“The view was beautiful, we were overlooking the lake and in the evening we would sit outside and build a bonfire and listen to the radio,” she said.
Total cost: $200 for the boat for the entire weekend, around $40 for tube rental and $60-$70 per night for the cabin (tent sites are $10 per night at that location and RV sites are $15).
Significant savings are the reason the Doughmans chose Canyon Lake in the first place.
“I looked at the non-military areas and their prices were so much higher I didn’t even pay attention,” she said.
PACIFIC BEACH RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER
Lakes aren’t the only places military families can grab great discounts for weekend getaways. The military runs ocean-side recreation areas, too-on both coasts!
We’ve already told you about the Log Cabins at Fort Story, which have access to the rolling surf along the Chesapeake Bay Beach.
Over on the Pacific coast, Air Force wife Robyn Mihalyi chose the Navy-run Pacific Beach Resort and Conference Center to welcome her husband home from his fourth deployment.
“It’s perfect since it has such good price and is close for a little mini-getaway with your family,” said Robyn, who was stationed at McChord Air Force Base at the time, about two hours away.
The Mihalyis paid $85 per night for a four-bedroom cottage on the off-season in 2010. Three, four and five-bedroom cottages are available throughout the year, but prices vary by rank, season and size of cottage. Pets are welcome for an additional fee.
The family had access to the free on-site movie theater, on-site bowling alley, indoor hot tub and nearby beach. Families who travel to Pacific Beach this summer can also access the newly remodeled Rec-Zone, which includes a large game room, a small climbing wall, a basketball court and free video game rentals and big-screens on which to play them.
The Mihalyis have great memories from their stay. “Our boys loved it,” Robyn says. “We had such a great bonding time together – just what we needed.”
LAKE OF THE OZARKS RECREATION AREA
When Army wife Jessica Sabo was seeking a location for a celebratory end-of-summer camping trip last year, she chose to drive 50 miles from her Fort Leonard Wood home to Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area (also called LORA) near Osage Beach, Mo.
Set against the backdrop of one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, the campground has access to more than 1,300 miles of lakefront shoreline for its visitors to enjoy.
For just $10 per night ($15 for RV sites, $45 and up for cabins), she and her family camped in a site with a soft pad for their tent, a fire pit and indoor bathrooms, and rented a boat so they could spend the weekend fishing and swimming with friends.
“It was so beautiful and a chance to get away and play outside,” she says.