Army Corp of Engineer Camping

misty morning glory rises over a reservoir created by the Army Corp of Engineers

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Imagine an RV park, but with big ol’ spaces.

This essentially sums up the concept of Army Corp of Engineer campgrounds, sometimes abbreviated COE or USACE campgrounds.

In general, they’re kind of the middle ground of the RV camping world.

To explain, let’s first quickly dive into the two extremes of RV camping. There’s boondocking, where you go out into the wild and find a spot suitable for parking your rig, with no hookups, just you and nature and the stars and hopefully oodles of solitude, peace, quiet and absolutely no price tag. Then there are RV parks. They cost money, you get full hookups, there’s probably a bathhouse with hot showers and flushing toilets, maybe a playground, tennis court, even a clubhouse…that sort of thing. You’re sandwiched in with your neighbors and it’s hard to tell which is more abundant: old guys on golf carts or signs telling you all the stuff you can’t do while staying there.

Then, there is the spectrum in-between those extremes. National forest campsites are closer to boondocking while state parks are typically like RV parks with some nature thrown in for good measure.

Army Corp of Engineer campgrounds are typically right in the middle. You’ll be in nature, but next to a massive reservoir that is working as hard at generating hydroelectricity or storing up water as you are planning to take it easy. You’ll almost always have water and electric — at the paid COE sites anyway (there are free ones too!) — and access to a dumpster, bathhouses and almost definitely a boat ramp.

A boat ramp? Yes. Every COE campground is situated on or near a reservoir that was built by the COE, thus, a boat ramp is guaranteed.

This article aims to provide some insight into what these campgrounds are like, as well as list every single one of them, with links to more info on each. Let’s dive in by looking at some examples.

But first, if you haven’t gathered yet, we feel that COE sites are the way to go in certain parts of the nation — namely, the Southeast. They’re also primo for those RVers who’ve been doing the RV park thing for awhile and are looking to dip their feet into something new. We also recommend state parks for such an endeavor, and in some states, state parks are far superior to COE offerings. But not in all of them. We’ll discuss which states we think COE is better than the local state park system as well.

Therefore, a smattering of what the Southeast has to offer in the way of Army Corp of Engineers Campgrounds:

Examples of COE Campgrounds in the Southeast

To begin, let’s just dabble in a few specific COE campgrounds to get a feel for what the intrepid traveler might expect.

Alabama’s Jennings Ferry Campground

In many ways, this is the run of the mill COE campground, but in others, it’s a bit sub-par. Hot showers, trash, and access to a beach? Yes. Spacious sites? Absolutely? But privacy? Not so much, given the way the sites are arranged and that the trees have been utterly cleared.

For the average RVer who enjoys hookups, this is paradise. For the vanlifer who wants to be way out in the woods, you’ll need to head a good deal further west, or back into the Appalachians.

Free Camping at Mississippi’s Enid Lake

While a plethora of campgrounds surround this large lake in Ol’ Miss, we think this is a great time to highlight that some camping is free in these COE establishments. They are not “wild camping” at all, but instead typically camping in a parking lot near a boat ramp. This particular spot did have actual campsites — tent only — but no one bothered us in our campervan holed up in a corner of the largely unused boat ramp lot.

Army Corp of Engineer Camping in Arkansas

It’s no secret around here that Arkansas is our favorite state in the Deep South. The state is packed with national forest, and has a healthy state park system, however it’s riddled with COE campgrounds in a way that makes them more or less the default option. State parks are typically fully booked (if you haven’t planned well, well ahead) and national forest camping typically comes by way of the Army Corp of Engineers anyway.

So here are two examples, wildly different, but clear examples of what you might expect:

Outlet Area Campground
Blue Mountain Lake
Havana, Arkansas

Two COE campgrounds cling to the edge of Blue Mountain Lake. The first — Waveland — is a giant’s handful worth of sites, largely RV-park style packed in. A few stragglers give smaller campers the ability to get away from that scenario, but in general it’s a massive, Southeastern-style family affair. But luckily, a sidekick lives…well…below the dam. There are literally signs in Outlet Area Campground that warns you that at certain times, the dam will be let loose, a big ol’ alarm will ring, and suddenly the small creek running through the sites will become a deadly rush.

This is, in our opinion, an example of the worst type of COE camping.

Washita Campgground
Lake Ouachita
Story, Arkansas

On the other hand, this little free campground — more appropriate for smaller rigs and tents — is a six-fingered hangful of campgrounds where one or two may accommodate small RVs, and most of the rest are strictly for tenters. But a large open grass area, sans picnic tables, provides more opportunity for larger rigs, as well.

A gorgeous reservoir doesn’t hurt the situation either.

Oklahoma: How Self-Sufficiency Helps Even in COE Campgrounds

At Cowlington Point, in Oklahoma (admittedly, no longer the Southeast), you can get the absolute best and worth of COE camping.

In the “RV” section, where water and electric are available, you’ll find tight spaces. And little weirdo jerk kids, unaccompanied by an adult, but nonetheless, if you’re not looking to shake hands with your neighbor’s hitch, we wonder if you might enjoy this:

a van parked in a COE campground
Not exactly bumping elbows, but…

If you’re self-sustained, and small, though, you can snag one of three spots at Cowlington Point. Three considerably better spots if you like space and privacy.

From here, we’ll just list every last COE campground, with details on reviews, directions and more. Happy camping!

COE Campgrounds by State

Below you’ll find a list of all the COE campgrounds that exist as of print time with this article. One important note, Army Corp of Engineer campgrounds can and often do close seasonally, so be sure to call ahead or check the CEO website before rolling up. Most of them accept reservations, and if you can get a reservation, that should mean the place is open.

Alabama Army Corps of Engineer Camping

Given its proximity to the Gulf Coast, Alabama’s state parks can really shine. That said, there really isn’t a big difference as far as site space between most state parks when compared to COE offerings. 

Alabama River Lakes

Three lakes — Claiborne Lake, Woodruff Lake and the William Dannelly Reservoir — comprise this area, and ten campgrounds are situated around them all.

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Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes

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Lake Seminole

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Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway

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West Point Lake

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Arkansas

While some of Arkansas state parks–a prime example being the state’s Mississippi River State Park–are magnificent, in general they are hard to get into and often RV park-tight. So it’s more or less a draw when it comes to comparing state parks vs. COE campgrounds in the state.

Arkansas River – Murray Lock and Dam

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Arkansas River – Pool 3

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Arkansas River – Pool 5

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Arkansas River – Rockefeller Lake

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Arkansas River – Terry Lock and Dam

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Arkansas River – Toad Suck Ferry Pool

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Arkansas River – Wilbur D. Mills Pool

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Beaver Lake

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Blue Mountain Lake

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Bull Shoals Lake

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Dardanelle Lake

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Degray Lake

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Dequeen Lake

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Dierks Lake

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Gillham Lake

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Greers Ferry Lake

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Greeson Lake

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John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

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Millwood Lake

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Nimrod Lake

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Norfork Lake

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Ouachita Lake

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Ouachita-Black River – Calion Pool

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Ozark Lake

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Table Rock Lake

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California

Black Butte Lake

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Eastman Lake

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Harry L. Englebright Lake

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Hensley Lake

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Kaweah Lake

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Lake Sonoma

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Martis Creek Lake

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Mendocino Lake

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New Hogan Lake

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Pine Flat Lake

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Stanislaus River Parks

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Success Lake

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Connecticut

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Florida

The Sunshine State comes ridiculously correct where state parks are concerned. No doubt, they beat staying at some ol’ COE campground alligators down.

Lake Okeechobee

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Lake Seminole

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Georgia

Hmmm. Georgia has a helluva state park system. COE campgrounds are okay too, but first choice? No. State parks all the way.

Allatoona Lake

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Carters Lake

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Hartwell Lake

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J. Strom Thurmond Lake

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Lake Seminole

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Lake Sidney Lanier

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Walter F. George Lake

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West Point Lake

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Idaho

Dworshak Reservoir

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Lake Pend Oreille

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Lower Granite Lake

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Lucky Peak Lake

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Illinois

Carlyle Lake

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Lake Shelbyville

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Mississippi River – Kaskaskia River

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Mississippi River – Pools 11-22

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Mississippi River – Upper

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Rend Lake

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Iowa

Coralville Lake

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Lake Red Rock

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Mississippi River – Pool 1

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Mississippi River – Pools 11-22

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Rathbun Lake

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Saylorville Lake

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Kansas

Big Hill Lake

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Clinton Lake

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Copan Lake

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Council Grove Lake

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Elk City Lake

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Fall River Lake

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Harlan County Lake

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Hulah Lake

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John Redmond Reservoir

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Kanopolis Lake

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Kaw Lake

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Marion Reservoir

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Melvern Lake

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Milford Lake

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Perry Lake

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Pomona Lake

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Tuttle Creek Lake

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Wilson Lake

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Kentucky

Barkley Lake

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Barren River Lake

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Buckhorn Lake

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Carr Creek Lake

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Dale Hollow Lake

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Fishtrap Lake

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Green River Lake

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Lake Cumberland

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Nolin River Lake

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Rough River Lake

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Louisiana

Bayou Bodcau Reservoir

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Ouachita-Black River – Calion Pool

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Ouachita-Black River – Columbia Pool

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Maryland

Jennings Randolph Lake

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Youghiogheny River Lake

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Massachusetts

Knightville Dam

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Minnesota

Mississippi River – Pool 1

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Mississippi River Headwaters – Cross Lake

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Mississippi River Headwaters – Gull Lake

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Mississippi River Headwaters – Leech Lake

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Mississippi River Headwaters – Pokegema Lake

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Mississippi River Headwaters – Sandy Lake

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Mississippi River Headwaters – Winnibigosh Lake

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Mississippi

Arkabutla Lake

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Enid Lake

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Grenada Lake

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Okatibbee Lake

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Sardis Lake

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Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway

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Missouri

Bull Shoals Lake

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Clearwater Lake

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Harry S. Truman Lake

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Mark Twain Lake

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Mississippi River – Pools 11-22

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Fishermans Corner North

Mississippi River – Upper

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Norfork Lake

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Pomme De Terre Lake

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Stockton Lake

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Table Rock Lake

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Wappapello Lake

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Montana

Fort Peck Project

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Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa

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Nebraska

Harlan County Lake

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Lewis and Clark Lake

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Nevada

Martis Creek Lake

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New Mexico

Abiquiu Lake

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Cochiti Lake

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Conchas Lake

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North Carolina

John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir

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W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir

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North Dakota

Ashtabula Lake

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Lake Oahe

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Pipestem Lake

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Sakakawea Lake

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Ohio

Berlin Lake

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Caesar Creek Lake

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Shenango River Lake

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Oklahoma

Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam

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Arkansas River – Newt Graham Pool

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Arkansas River – Robert S. Kerr Pool

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Arkansas River – W.D. Mayo Pool

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Arkansas River – Webbers Falls Pool

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Birch Lake

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Canton Lake

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Copan Lake

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Eufaula Lake

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Fort Gibson Lake

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Fort Supply Lake

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Heyburn Lake

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Hugo Lake

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Mahaffey Point Day Use Area

Hulah Lake

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John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake

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Kaw Lake

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Keystone Lake

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Lake Texoma

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Oologah Lake

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Pine Creek Lake

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Sardis Lake

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Skiatook Lake

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Tenkiller Ferry Lake

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Waurika Lake

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Oregon

Cottage Grove Lake

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Dorena Lake

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John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla

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Lake Wallula

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Lookout Point Lake

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Lost Creek Lake

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Pennsylvania

Cowanesque Lake

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Crooked Creek Lake

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East Branch Clarion River Lake

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Loyalhanna Lake

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Raystown Lake

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Shenango River Lake

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Tioga-Hammond Lakes

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Tionesta Lake

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Woodcock Creek Lake

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Youghiogheny River Lake

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South Carolina

Hartwell Lake

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J. Strom Thurmond Lake

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South Dakota

Cold Brook Lake

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Cottonwood Springs Lake

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Lake Oahe

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Lake Sharpe

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Lewis and Clark Lake

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Tennessee

Barkley Lake

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Center Hill Lake

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Cheatham Lock and Dam

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Cordell Hull Lake

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Dale Hollow Lake

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J Percy Priest Lake

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Old Hickory Lake

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Texas

Bardwell Lake

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Belton Lake

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Benbrook Lake

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Canyon Lake

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Georgetown Lake

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Granger Lake

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Grapevine Lake

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Hords Creek Lake

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Lake O’ The Pines

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Lake Texoma

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Lavon Lake

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Lewisville Lake

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Navarro Mills Lake

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Pat Mayse Lake

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Proctor Lake

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Sam Rayburn Reservoir

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Somerville Lake

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Steinhagen Lake

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Stillhouse Hollow Lake

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Waco Lake

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Whitney Lake

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Wright Patman Lake

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Vermont

Ball Mountain Lake

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Virginia

John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir

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John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir

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Philpott Lake

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Washington

John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla

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Lake Bryan

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Lake Sacajawea

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Lake Wallula

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Lake West

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Lower Granite Lake

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Rufus Woods Lake

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West Virginia

Burnsville Lake

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East Lynn Lake

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Jennings Randolph Lake

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R.D. Bailey Lake

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Summersville Lake

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Sutton Lake

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Wisconsin

Eau Galle Lake

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Mississippi River – Pool 1

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Mississippi River – Pools 11-22

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