Patrick SFB Manatee Cove Campground, Patrick Space Force Base FL

We are full timers, so our review is after 90 days of staying here. We are leaving soon, but of the 10 plus bases we have stayed, this one is no hidden secret to race to. Spaces are available, and with the new rules and constant control of hosts, we are hearing more and more wont be back.
Pros -
Some sites are on water, and you can see dolphins on the regular.
You are on a base, so security, PX, Commissary, childcare, auto hobby shop, gym, courts, pool, golf, marina, outdoor rec, and other amenities are on base.
DFAC is open to guests and is good food and cheap.
You see plenty of c130s, c17s, and heli's flying.
Entrance at construction/contractor gate is very accessible.
Sites are level and currently are covered in sand/stone, so there is no sinking of jacks.
You can watch launches right by the campground (best place is near tennis court or pier)
The biggest positive was the number of great neighbors and others we interacted with over our stay. Many understood the problems we all were facing, so I feel the RV families were way awesome and supportive and made the stay pleasant.
CONS -
-Camp hosts are miserable, power tripping, uninviting, and unfriendly.
-Sites are very close to each other, and they are going to get tighter as they prep to do concrete pads, which will make sites slightly bigger than they are.
-Signage is very poor, and speeding is a very bad problem. They refuse to add speed bumps.
When it rains and water pools, it floods in front of steps and sites. It then allows for more mosquitoes to have breeding grounds, which are bad enough already.
-They pick the absolute worst time to do construction through the campground. It is nearly daily that you see dump trucks, large trailers with equipment, machinery, and crew racing through the campground as they work at the far end as well on other areas. (None of which seems like making the camp sites or campground any better at the moment)
-The grass is rarely mowed, and the grounds are not very attractive. (We actually were approved at some leadership level to volunteer our time and money to redo the entrance beautification, but we were never provided the green light by ODR to start). Oh, they provide mowers to mow your own area as well, but don't dare mow weeds or make it look nice, or the camp host will scold you.
-The older laundry facility up front never gets cleaned, floods during rainy periods, and has no AC (so it becomes a sweat box).
-There is only 1 vehicle allowed on site, and they are now adding rule that the overflow parking is "unofficially" allowed for now. If you have 2 vehicles and can't walk that far, you can't even have a golf cart as it, too, counts as your vehicle.
-This is not always first come first serve for check in, as I have seen way too many say they had no options on which site, or, the camp host told us many times to move our vehicle as we dropped off groceries in the site beside us. (They tell us every time, "this site is reserved for someone inbound, " but most always, no one arrived or the campers were not Active Duty).
-Lastly, from the checkin process and their plethora of old rules and now the new rules and new requirements, it is now making this location far from desired. It's definitely not a family camp setting as there are literally zero things for kids or families to do at the campground and limited options on base.

Like many bases, this campground needs to invest in the campground as the return on investment is obviously waiting to be collected. Most civilian sites off base are fully booked with the waiting list and are way more expensive, so this may be the only option you have at the moment. We won't be returning next winter to this one.

You need to belong to the old boys club to be treated nice by Pam or at least that's how we felt. Signs leave alot to be desired entering the park and then Pam is all over you because you didn't follow the directions that aren't there. Was gonna take a water back in but was told we couldn't because someone was going to use that spot! Hmmm it is first come first serve at least that's what they tell you on the phone. Then they make it sound like you can't afford that type of spot as it runs 47.00 a night vs 30.00 a night. All water back inside currently have a cone in front of them as they are saved for friends only. We won't be back

Very affordable rv park but that’s about it when it comes to my experience. First the camp host is very very rude! I can’t express it enough they are a husband and wife team and if you have to interact with them prepare yourself for the experience. The Rv park is clean but the grass is about 2 feet high and MWR says the grass gets cut 2 times a month but that is simply not true. My wife and I paid for a month but we are seriously considering leaving early, because the grass is so high we are constantly getting snakes and other critters trying to get into our Rv. If you’re in a pinch you can come here but it should be your last resort!

Just inquired and drove thru. It seems nice enough.they have plenty of spots. $750 a month 120 days. Leave for 30 days. Can stay up to 60 more. So 6 months total a year as an option.
But the price includes your sewer and electric and water.
There are concrete pads and gravel.
Lots of openings.
You have to access to the base to rent a lot.
No cable. No mail. It's vacay style setting only.
Nice river view thou.
And of course the defac. Pool. Gym. Starbucks.
Post office are nearby.

Enter in the Patrick main gate and go straight back to rescue lane and turn left. You'll get right to it.

The px. Gas. Class 6. And the commissary is on the other side of the base.

Some of the reviews about overgrown grass are true. And lots of overgrowth in the trees on the back end. And a lot of stuff does look dated.

But the safety and security of the base is appealing.
Duplexes are for rent for long-term starting at 1850.

Nothing beats being on an Air Force/ Space Force base. The people you will meet are usually fantastic and harbor a great atmosphere. This campground is decent. There are many positives to this place but also quite a few negatives that can be easily resolved.

Firstly, the positives. There are numerous sites to choose from that are either paved or gravel. There is adequate room between each site and include a decent sized concrete pad with picnic bench. All sites are 30/50 amps with your standard 20amp outlets. Water pressure is solid and minimal disturbance from neighbors. Sewage is included with the site as well which means you can directly dump even if you have a cassette style. There are three separate locations for bathrooms, two of which include showers, and 2 for laundry. All are usually pretty tidy and well kept. There is a clubhouse (where you usually check in) that offers entertainment, although we never used it. A chipping field for your golf fanatics is also next to the campground along with a trail that is not regulated by outdoor recreations and is instead under the supervision of the security forces.

Now, the unfortunate negatives. Lawn maintenance is absolutely awful. During the summer, grass should be mowed two times a month. We were lucky to see them once a month. It made walking our dog not fun as well as aesthetically unpleasant. The shear amount of rabbits and rabbit poop everywhere became very annoying quickly. Laundry is not included, which is fine, but please at a different system that makes it easier to do laundry. Not everyone has quarters on them. There is no change machines at the campground and you'll be lucky to get a $5 roll from the PX or off base which is good for 2.5 loads. Switch the the phone app ran washers! A few of your washers need to be replaced anyways considering they are always down!

Overall a solid location if you are visiting or, like us, staying until the housing market steadies out. There is plenty to do around the area and even more when you go over the bridge to mainland. Top 3 campground to stay while in the area.

This was our first time at this campground. First, I would say the camp host on duty was there simply to do paperwork. We are camp host at Kings Bay Ga. We would never greet our guests with such a cold businesslike attitude. From the moment we stepped off our RV there was no welcome. Just get your required documents and sign the paperwork. Get to your site. Speaking of paperwork it would have been a good idea when your checking on availability to inform your guest that registration and insurance cards are needed even if it's on the website. Not everyone read the entire website. The camp host should be more welcoming and informative about the area such as. So how about the camp host telling you about the area? Good restaurant, sites to see, oh by the way there is a launch to day if you look in this direction at this time you can see it. Oh, and your gonna see lots of rabbits they live here too. The Camp host has a golf cart how about you take your guest to the site and ask if the need anything else they need. They were just so cold and business like. The camp grounds itself is was overgrown and not kept up. The upper campsite has a great view but the water would be better if paved, bathrooms were clean. It ashame that you have to pay for laundry but other campground do. Kings Bay doesn't. It's part of your fee. I certainly expected more especially from a military campground.

Campground on base.amounts to a gated community however rates have soared while service and upkeep have dwindled. Washers and dryers are terrible so we use a laundromat off-base. Still no wifi like at comparable locations. Most sites remain unpaved and water still ponds in certain areas after heavy rain. Grass was not regularly cut and I'm not paying outdoor rec to cut it myself. No re-investment by the powers that be into the Campground. All you get is a concrete pad, if you're lucky, electric, water and sewer. Winter rate is now $750 per month. Only plus is you have a gym, shoppette, commissary and class6.

Update 8/21/23.ghost town.rule changes pushed many people out and now less than 20 of the 150+ sites was occupied. Drove through and drove right out. And what in the hell is Air Force reg for hair and facial hair. Airman at the gate had whiskers down to his chest and hair popping out of all side of his dirty Beret.

The camp managers were great. Thanks for everything. One thing you might want to check is when we called to see about reservations, the person might have mentioned using the commercial gate. My wife and I live in the area so frequent patrick so we knew about it, but someone who is just passing through might not know that. Take care and have a great day.

One of the greatest benefits available. Take your time and go, dolphins right at the waters edge, great bike trail around the post, great views everywhere.

Location is nice. Campground is not run properly. Use to be nice 10 years ago, but not taken care of by rec personnel. Use to be well run and friendly. But not now. Will do if no where else to go. You must take your rig to park to see if spots are available. Will not respond if you call. Poorly run, but not important to the Air Force command.

We didn't stay here, but they sure are packed in there! It's nice to be on base and have Commissary and BX close. We tried staying here two years ago but were turned away bc we didn't have on board sewer tanks.

Not a bad spot for karaoke except you have to bring your own food and drinks.

Makes sense though.it IS a campground.