Air Force Famcamp Gets Needed Makeover At Barksdale AFB, Louisiana

A very noisy B-52 causes us to cover our ears as we enter the Famcamp at Barksdale Louisiana. We weren’t sure we were at the right place because of all the construction equipment, mud and pipes lying around. Yes, this place is getting a much needed facelift. Gil Smith (left) is the construction site superintendent for Walton Construction who has the contract for this upgrade and next to him is Alan Mitchell the Navy inspector assigned to this project. A total of 20 new sites have been added to the park bringing the total of 50/30 amp full hook-up sites to 40 plus two overflow sites with electric only. All the outboard sites are new plus two new drive-through sites. They added six new camp-sites next to the access road. The slabs are all 40 feet long with a 10 x 40 gravel aprons. They had to run new electric wire to the new pedestals, and a new sewer lift station was added to handle the increased load.

The old restroom and shower facility will be demolished as soon as the new building is up and running. The new famcamp building is 2800 square feet and completely handicapped accessible. It houses an office, clubhouse room, screened in porch, laundry and vending, showers and bathrooms.Here is where the new office will be located. The clubhouse room will also have a sink and refrigerator and be a great place for social gatherings.The porch will be completely screened in and equipped with rocking chairs. Do they think we are old or something? The laundry room will have two washers and four dryers. It will also be equipped with vending machines and a large ice machine.

The restroom and shower area is nicely tiled and will feature marble counter tops and benches in the shower. Hat tip to the current MWR director who wants to add even more camp sites to this park (20) but we’ll see what happens as we enjoy this new renovation.


Total cost of this project was $1.2 million. It will be very nice when completed!


Barksdale AFB Service Directory

Directions: From I-20 take exit 23 and follow the signs to the commercial gate. The gate is approximately 100 yards past the railroad tracks. Go through the gate, past the gate inspection station on your right and make a hard left turn onto the perimeter road. Follow this road until you see the sign for the famcamp near a government gas pump and make a left turn onto this road. You will pass RV storage on your left. Continue down this road crossing over a bayou (swampy waterway) and the famcamp will be on your right hand side. There are two entrances and exits into the campground.

The RV access gate (Truck Gate) GPS coordinates are 32.52533 N. and 93.67591 W.

The Famcamp GPS coordinates are 32.51258 N. and 93.61863 W.

Let's Clean Up Our Act!

Ron and Patty have been camping at Gila Bend Famcamp every winter for the last 9 years. While they visit our famcamps and other campgrounds, they always pick up trash left behind by thoughtless people.

Patty said, “If people would just pick-up around their campsite by picking up the junk others leave behind it help considerably.”

They pick up RV junk, cans, cable wiring, PVC pipe, bottles, combs, and you name it.

I asked them what was the weirdest junk they ever picked up. Patty said, “Once we picked up a full bottle of ketchup and mustard at the Tonopah rest area.

I asked Ron if people said “Thank You” to them for their efforts. “Not too many say thanks – maybe they are embarrassed or something. One of the worst things I’ve seen is people who just dump their cat litter boxes behind their RVs thinking no one is looking.” I’ve got news for people who let their pets poo without picking it up and those who dump cat litter and throw their trash on the ground – people ARE watching. Tinted windows in the RV are great because we can see out but you don’t know if we are watching or not because (in the daytime anyway) you can’t see in.

Do the right thing and pick up after yourself. Leave your campsite cleaner than when you arrived and when you have time grab a plastic bag and go on trash patrol. Jim