The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation with more than 90,000 campsites across the country at more than 450 lakes and waterways.
COE campground facilities are well maintained. Some campgrounds have full RV hookups, while others only have designated sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Showers are usually available as well as trash and water. Many campgrounds are dust free with asphalt roads and designated RV sites.
Many RVers consider COE parks the best places to camp. Military members on R & R are eligible for free camping. Here’s a quick look at Raystown Lake in Pennsylvania, which is a great example of what to expect at a Corps campground.
The best guide to Corp of Engineers Campgrounds can be ordered at Amazon.com.
We love the COE campgrounds. There are six Corps lakes within two hours of us. The campgrounds are squeaky clean, well maintained, and well patrolled. I stress the well patrolled factor because it helps keep the heavy drinking party animals in check. Our Corps lakes also have state campgrounds which are nice, but the COE campgrounds are just a notch or two nicer.
We have two great COE recreation areas in Iowa, the Coralville Reservoir in Iowa City and Saylorville Lake north of Des Moines in Polk City. I highly recommend them both for camping, boating and other outdoor activities.
It is a beautiful area. I grew up their in the summers of the 60’s when individual families could live along the lake. When C.O.E. took over the waterway changed the way you could live. Had the Indian sheep rock archaeology site. Fishing is great. Be sure to check out the visitors center.