Explore Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground: Your Local Military Camping Retreat

Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground Introduce

For local users, particularly those with military affiliations, searching for "camping near me" in the vicinity of Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, the Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground, located at Rescue Rd, Patrick Space Force Base, FL 32925, USA, offers a unique camping experience. You can reach them at (321) 494-2054 or +1 321-494-2054 for inquiries and reservations. Based on customer reviews, this campground provides a secure and amenity-rich environment with several appealing features, although some considerations exist.

The environment of Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground is notably attractive, especially for those who appreciate waterfront locations. Many lots are situated directly on the water, offering relaxing views. The small beach area is a significant draw, providing a space to unwind, enjoy sunsets, and even spot dolphins. For families with young children, the beach offers a place for sand play. While the campground itself doesn't have specific activities organized, its location provides ample access to tourist activities in the surrounding area. Moreover, being on Patrick Space Force Base offers unique opportunities to see rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral and observe aircraft activity, including take-offs, landings, and airborne jumps, which can be particularly engaging for children. For those wishing for a change of scenery, off-base beaches are just a short 10-minute drive away.

In terms of services and features, Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground boasts several noteworthy amenities. A significant plus is the clubhouse, which includes a full kitchen, a valuable asset for campers looking to prepare their own meals. Laundry facilities are available at a reasonable cost of $1 per load. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Outdoor Recreation MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) facility, located a few miles from the campground, offers rentals for kayaks, fishing gear, and various other equipment. While there isn't a playground on-site, the small beach area serves as a recreational space. The security of the campground is also highlighted in the reviews, providing peace of mind for visitors.

However, there are some cons to consider. One reviewer noted that the airstrip located directly behind the campground can get very loud at times, although this particular reviewer was not bothered by it. This noise might be a concern for those particularly sensitive to loud sounds. Additionally, there are mentions of mosquitoes and no-see-ums potentially being problematic during warmer months, although they were not an issue during one reviewer's stay. Campers visiting during the summer should likely come prepared for these insects. Another practical consideration is access for larger RVs; it's mentioned that rigs bigger than 25 feet might need to use the commercial gate to enter the base, and depending on arrival time, the gate might be closed, requiring a call to Space Force security for access. Current construction at the South gate is hoped to improve access for larger rigs in the future.

One neutral point raised in the reviews concerns the spacing between some campsites, which can be quite close, while other sites offer more space. Therefore, the experience might vary depending on the specific site assigned. Pricing is another area where opinions differ, with some suggesting that prices have increased significantly in recent years. The monthly rate during the winter was mentioned as $1,100. While MWR management might argue their prices are competitive with local parks, one reviewer suggests that the more relevant comparison for a military campground is other military campgrounds, citing McGuire AFB as having similar amenities at a lower monthly cost.

For local users eligible to stay at military campgrounds, Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground offers a secure, waterfront experience with amenities like a clubhouse with a full kitchen and laundry facilities. The proximity to the beach, potential dolphin sightings, and the unique opportunity to witness rocket launches and aircraft activities add to its appeal. The nearby MWR offers rentals for outdoor activities, further enhancing the camping experience. While the noise from the airstrip and potential insect issues during warmer months are worth noting, as is the access for larger RVs, the overall sentiment from reviews indicates a positive experience, with one reviewer calling it "by far the best military campground we stayed."

For local military families or retirees looking for "camping near me" that offers a secure environment and waterfront access, Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground is certainly worth considering. The combination of natural beauty, unique local attractions related to space and aviation, and on-site amenities provides a distinct camping opportunity. Potential visitors should call (321) 494-2054 to inquire about site availability, specific amenities, and any current guidelines or restrictions for accessing the base. They can also ask about the best way to enter the base with their vehicle size and any tips for a comfortable stay, such as dealing with insects during certain times of the year.

In conclusion, Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground offers a compelling "camping near me" option for eligible local users. Its waterfront location, security, clubhouse with kitchen, and proximity to space-related activities make it stand out. While potential noise from the airstrip and seasonal insects should be considered, the positive aspects highlighted by reviewers suggest a worthwhile camping destination. Contact them at (321) 494-2054 to plan your visit and learn more about what this military campground has to offer.

Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground Photos

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Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground Location

Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground

Rescue Rd, Patrick Space Force Base, FL 32925, USA

Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground

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Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground Reviews

Really enjoyed our stay. Was on the water lot. Dog fence was nice but my small dog could get under gate and get out.Very secure place to stay.No activities going on but enough tourists activities to keep us busy
Mar 06, 2025 · Deb North Grosserhode
This by far the best military campground we stayed. This is a good place to run from the winter.Pros: They have a clubhouse with a full kitchen which is a plus for me. Laundry $1 a load, Small beach area to relax, enjoy sunset or 🐬 dolphins, let children play in the sand. You can just opt to go to a beach off base. Plenty of opportunities to see rockets in the sky or drive to Cape Canaveral area to get a closer look at launches from NASA. See aircraft come & go for the little ones was good. Seeing airborne jumps to other training you might get to see is cool for the little ones. Depending on your site the view of the water is relaxing. Just a 10 minute drive to get off base. Clubhouse is a nice place to hangout with other campers & do events. The Outdoor recreation MWR a few miles up the road to rent kayaks, fishing gear to many other things to rent.Cons: No playground, certain times it gets very loud from the airstrip located directly behind the campground but it was not an issue for us but more likely for others. Mosquitoes & no seeums are supposedly bad when it warms up but not not an issue for the most part of my stay. I can imagine during the summer how bad it gets. Believe rigs bigger than 25ft have to use commercial gate to get on basw. Depending on arrival the gate likely closed & will need to call SF to open gate. Hopefully, with the current construction at South gate will accommodate bigger rigs when complete.Neutral: some sites are fairly close but there are sites that give more space between neighbors. Pricing in general can go one way or the other depends who you ask because prices supposedly drastically increased over the last couple of years. Monthly during winter is $1,100. MWR management may argue they are cheaper than local parks but my position that's not your competition because their market is the civilian/non veteran market. Veteran market is a small slice of the pie. I say their competition are other military campgrounds such as McGuire AFB that have similar amenities but McGuire $200-$300 less a month. I have more thoughts but that's my 2 cents.
Apr 24, 2025 · Javi Beni
They make rules that are unnecessary and illogical. For example: You must park on the opposite side of the tents where you camp...in the grass....that's the exact same as the other side. There is no logic to it.This place COULD be a haven and paradise for retired military like me but...Customer service is not the goal. Why do military campgrounds and MWR seem to do the bare minimum?They should learn to take care of us retired vets the way the government seems to take care of non citizen immigrants.The camp hosts are very clicky and it's a great place if you just stick to yourself. People are way too disgruntled nowadays. They reduced tent sites to 5...no reason there can't be more other than tent camping is not a priority for this base.Best thing about this RV park and Campgroind is proximity to nearby beaches, cruise boats and an hour from Disney/Universal.
May 04, 2024 · Jonathan Hursh
It's the playground for Veterans who want to live in the moment and deep down I believe it's a place we get to be kids again.
Feb 20, 2025 · Kent Brimberry
We are full timers, so our review is after 90 days of staying here. We are leaving soon, but of the 10 plus bases we have stayed, this one is no hidden secret to race to. Spaces are available, and with the new rules and constant control of hosts, we are hearing more and more wont be back.Pros -Some sites are on water, and you can see dolphins on the regular.You are on a base, so security, PX, Commissary, childcare, auto hobby shop, gym, courts, pool, golf, marina, outdoor rec, and other amenities are on base.DFAC is open to guests and is good food and cheap.You see plenty of c130s, c17s, and heli's flying.Entrance at construction/contractor gate is very accessible.Sites are level and currently are covered in sand/stone, so there is no sinking of jacks.You can watch launches right by the campground ( the best place is near the tennis court or pier)The biggest positive was the number of great neighbors and others we interacted with over our stay. Many understood the problems we all were facing, so I feel the RV families were way awesome and supportive and made the stay pleasant.CONS --Camp hosts are miserable, power tripping, uninviting, and unfriendly.-Sites are very close to each other, and they are going to get tighter as they prep to do concrete pads, which will make sites slightly bigger than they are.-Signage is very poor, and speeding is a very bad problem. They refuse to add speed bumps.When it rains and water pools, it floods in front of steps and sites. It then allows for more mosquitoes to have breeding grounds, which are bad enough already.-They pick the absolute worst time to do construction through the campground. It is nearly daily that you see dump trucks, large trailers with equipment, machinery, and crew racing through the campground as they work at the far end as well on other areas. (None of which seems like making the camp sites or campground any better at the moment)-The grass is rarely mowed, and the grounds are not very attractive. (We actually were approved at some leadership level to volunteer our time and money to redo the entrance beautification, but we were never provided the green light by ODR to start). Oh, they provide mowers to mow your own area as well, but don't dare mow weeds or make it look nice, or the camp host will scold you!!!!.-The older laundry facility up front never gets cleaned, floods during rainy periods, and has no AC (so it becomes a sweat box).-There is only 1 vehicle allowed on site, and they are now adding rule that the overflow parking is "unofficially" allowed for now. If you have 2 vehicles and can't walk that far, you can't even have a golf cart as it, too, counts as your vehicle.-This is not always first come first serve for check in, as I have seen way too many say they had no options on which site, or, the camp host told us many times to move our vehicle as we dropped off groceries in the site beside us. (They tell us every time, "this site is reserved for someone inbound," but most always, no one arrived or the campers were not Active Duty).-Lastly, from the checkin process and their plethora of old rules and now the new rules and new requirements, it is now making this location far from desired. It's definitely not a family camp setting as there are literally zero things for kids or families to do at the campground and limited options on base.Like many bases, this campground needs to invest in the campground as the return on investment is obviously waiting to be collected. Most civilian sites off base are fully booked with the waiting list and are way more expensive, so this may be the only option you have at the moment. We won't be returning next winter to this one.Update: Once you start seeing the improvements at other locations (Ft Sam Houston, TX), you really have to wonder why there is not a better standard for all MWR Famcamps. This is likely one of the worst ran and, unfortunately costs are rising for campers when it's not reinvested back into the RV park(this is no way a FamCamp).
Feb 16, 2024 · Justin Broadwater