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Monday, December 31, 2007

Naval Air Station Lemoore Military Campground Near Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

If you've never seen the Giant Redwoods at Sequoia National Park you are in for a treat. Stay at the Lemoore Naval Air Station Campground and use it as a base to make a day trip to see the park. While visiting Sequoia, be sure to take time to climb Moro Rock (400 steps) for a spectacular view and hike around Crescent Meadow referred to by John Muir as, "the gem of the Sierra". To find NAS Lemoore take CA-198 east from I-5 for approximately 17 miles or west from highway 99 about 25 miles. Enter at the main entrance and take the truck entrance on the left and be prepared for a security inspection. Go north on the Enterprise then trun right onto Franklin Avenue. Turn right onto Hancock Ave. just past McDonalds and make the first left turn into "The Village" parking lot where you'll see the RV park. The commercial phone number for MWR is (559) 997-7000 (option 3) monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There are 18 sites with 50 amp/30 amp/ and 110 along with water, sewer and free cable. Each site had a cement pad, picnic table, BBQ and trash can. Daily $23, weekly $140 and monthly $140 (2007 rates). Within walking distance are several eating establishments, a bowling ally, theater, clubs, hospital, chapel, post office, tickets and tours and much more. The exchange and commissary are are new and a short drive from the campground. The gas station is directly across the street. For more shopping the town of Hanford has a Super WalMart, a mall and many other national brand stores.


Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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posted by Jim Twamley at 6:28 PM

4 Comments:

  • Nice. The last time I stayed at NAS Lemoore there wasn't a RV park (1994) so we parked in the back of the BOQ parking lot. For $23 a day, it would be nice if there was Wi-Fi available.

    By Anonymous Jeff, at January 12, 2008 11:22 PM  

  • Jim, I depend on you - but you may have erred in your evaluation of Lamoore NAS FamCamp.

    Though I've never been at this FamCamp, I have stayed at many - and loved them. Reading these comments turns me off to staying at this base. It is 60 air miles to Sequoia. That is not a hop-skip and a jump.

    These two latest comments from the more critically military oriented campers might be a consideration in any future blog of this RV parking lot in the middle of a busy NAS with flightline traffic day and night.

    "Visited on 20 June 2007 - First off the two people at the front desk were super friendly and helpful and the park was reasonably clean and well kept. Unfortunately, that is the only plus for the price of this park. It's location is approximately 2 hours from the national parks or the coastline. You can stay closer to either area for the same price or cheaper even "on the economy". According to one of the people at the front desk, their rates had gone up about 4-5 times in the last year and a half. This coincides with the opening of their new rec center building by the way. Their price of $23 now is up 65% from what was published in the last book. None of the other places I have stayed at were close to this rate increase. The justification for the rate increase according to the front desk is that they have free laundry and wifi in the rec center. How much laundry do I have to do to make that worth while? As far as the wifi goes, I think that every place I have stayed has free wifi at the library or some other location and many places you can get it at your campsite. Additionally, my cellphone (Verizon) did not work at the campsite and hence broadband internet. While this is not the campground's fault, it does add to the overall value or attraction for me to return to this FamCamp. I was asked to fill out a customer comment card by the front desk people. I told her I would rather speak in person if possible to voice my concerns. (The cards are just to easy to disregard if they don't like what they say.) I have made many phone calls to Ron who is the person in charge. None of my phone calls have been returned as of this date. Once again I would like to say that the front desk people were really great and helpful. Their boss was not. In my opinion this is a $15 or $16 FamCamp."

    "Visited on Nov. 9 - 11, 2007 - Overpriced for the sardine-packed sites; too close to make this a relaxing, extended stay. For $23 a night, we stayed here b/c it was a good option to overnight two nights and visit Sequoia for a day; again, gas for the rig would have been more. However, free laundry did not make the price worth it, and we have an air card for the computer so don't need WiFi, and we don't watch TV so cable isn't needed. Can't say that I like paying for others' amenities :) No playground, all gravel so no place for bikes/scooters, but teens might like the nearby community center (filled with "single seamen"), and I didn't see any recycling near the CG. We found the few organic items we needed at the commissary. Probably won't stay here again."

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 19, 2008 1:06 PM  

  • Anonymous, you make a good point about the distance to Sequoia NP. I was a chaplain at NAS Lemoore and have family in Visalia and I can tell you that you're not going to find better RV accommodations in the area. You can get closer to Sequoia by staying at RV parks located in Goshen or Three Rivers, but you need to know that those parks are ghettos compared to NAS Lemoore. You could stay at the Lodgepole campground inside the park, but they do not have hook-ups and the road up to Sequoia has many hair-pin turns and they recommend no RVs over 25 feet enter from that direction. The drive up to Sequoia through Visalia is very pleasant, going though orange and lemon groves, Three Rivers and on up to the park. Many people drive longer on their daily commute to work. Even though NAS Lemoore is not Club-Med it is probably your best bet for a safe place to leave your RV while you explore the parks. By the way, I've hiked extensively in Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks and the back country is some of the most beautiful and breathtaking scenery you'll ever lay eyes on. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

    By Blogger Jim Twamley, at January 21, 2008 9:30 AM  

  • RE: Moro Rock

    This is a must-see when visiting the park.

    The trail gives a person the adventurous feeling of climbing high up on the rock face. Yet the stairways and railings make this a reasonably safe experience for the whole family; at least unless they are very young or infirm.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 25, 2008 1:09 PM  

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