Fort Bliss - El Paso, Texas
I was stationed at Ft. Bliss and I really enjoyed the experience. It could be said that I enjoyed myself too much. There are many great options for retired veterans to go camping near Fort Bliss (located in El Paso, Texas), ranging from primitive desert escapes in the mountains, to full-hookup RV sites right on military installations. Because Fort Bliss is in the high Chihuahuan Desert and the far west corner of Texas, you also have easy access to incredible camping in southern New Mexico, which is often just a short drive away.
If you want convenience, security and usually a discounted rate, military affiliated campgrounds are your best bet.
On-Base & Military Recreation Camping (Best Amenities)
Fort Bliss RV Park (FamCamp):
Location: On Fort Bliss, El Paso.
Details: Open to active duty, retirees and disabled veterans (DAV) with appropriate ID/Access. It offers full hookups (water, electric, sewer), laundry facilities and Wi-Fi. It’s right in town, making it a great base camp for appointments or exploring El Paso.
- Because of the 2005 BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) expansion, Fort Bliss received billions of dollars in funding. As a result, much of the post including barracks, headquarters, child development centers and medical facilities are relatively modern compared to older historic posts.
- William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC): A massive, state of the art replacement hospital opened recently and provides top tier medical care to service members and their families.
- Family Housing: Features many newer, spacious neighborhoods with great amenities like playgrounds, walking paths and community pools.
- Safety: El Paso is consistently ranked as one of the safest large cities in the United States, despite sitting directly on the border with Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Retired Veterans often praise the low crime rate and peace of mind it provides.
- Cost of Living: The cost of living in El Paso is significantly lower than the national average and much lower than military hubs in California, Washington or the Northeast. Your BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) goes a very long way here. Retired veterans can afford to retire here.
- Outdoor Recreation:
- Franklin Mountains State Park: Located entirely within the city limits is the largest urban park in the U.S. It offers fantastic hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Sites include picnic tables, fire rings and outdoor grills. This is primitive dry camping so there is no running water or electricity. Cost: Camping is $10 per night plus the daily park entrance fee of $5 per person (ages 13 and older). No wonder retired veterans like this.
- White Sands National Park: Just an hour north in New Mexico, these white gypsum dunes make for an easy and incredible weekend trip.
- Cloudcroft and Ruidoso: Mountain towns in New Mexico about 1.5 to 2 hours away, offering pine trees, cooler weather in the summer and skiing in the winter.