Coe Campgrounds: Top Spots and Essential Visitor Tips

Sites with electric and water hookups usually run around $20 to $30 a night. Not bad for what you get, honestly.

If you’re fine with a basic site—no hookups—prices often dip below $20 per night. Folks with an America the Beautiful Pass (Senior or Access) can snag a 50% discount on those nightly rates.

Many RV campgrounds and parks toss in dump stations for good measure. Some spots have a day-use fee, but if you’ve got a valid national recreation pass, you’re covered.

COE Campground Reservations

Most COE campground reservations go through Recreation.gov. That site’s pretty easy to use—you can check availability, peek at campsite photos, and compare details before you commit.

Quick tips:

• Check out site photos so you know what you’re getting.
• Don’t forget to apply your America the Beautiful pass or any other discounts.
• Hang onto your reservation confirmation—it makes check-in a breeze.

List of COE Campgrounds by State

COE Campgrounds in Alabama

COE campgrounds in Alabama hug the banks of rivers and lakes. Gunter Hill and Prairie Creek have electric hookups, picnic tables, and restrooms. Deerlick Creek and Foscue Creek offer shady, wooded campsites near hiking trails and boat ramps.

Anglers love Pickensville for catfish and bass. Forkland is a solid pick for kayaking and boating thanks to its calm waters.

COE Campgrounds in Arkansas

Arkansas COE parks line up along tree-shaded rivers—plenty of space for tents and RVs. At Maumelle Park on the Arkansas River, you can picnic by the water, pick from full hookup sites, and hit nearby hiking trails.

Springhill is a quieter spot for fishing or just floating around.

COE Campgrounds in California

California offers a mix, from the shady Acorn Campground to the lakeside Hidden View. You can go fishing, swimming, or boating at Englebright Lake—but you’ll need a boat to get to those sites.

Liberty Glen works well for families, with tent sites right near the water. Bushay is great if you’re into hiking and want some killer overlooks.

COE Campgrounds in Connecticut

Connecticut’s only COE campground, West Thompson Lake, sits near forest trails, open picnic spots, and a gentle shoreline for paddling. It’s small, so it stays pretty quiet.

COE Campgrounds in Florida

In Florida, Ortona South and Franklin North perch along the Caloosahatchee River near Fort Myers. You can watch boats glide by, fish for bass, or wander the local trails.

St. Lucie Lock offers riverside camping with easy access to boat ramps and picnic shelters.

COE Campgrounds in Georgia

Georgia’s got a bunch of COE parks, especially around Lake Hartwell and Lake Seminole. Eastbank Campground gives you water views, hot showers, and grassy campsites.

Doll Mountain and Old Federal are favorites for boating and water skiing. Bolding Mill is a hit with families thanks to its playgrounds and swimming beach.

You can dig deeper with this complete COE camping guide.

COE Campgrounds in Idaho

Idaho’s COE campgrounds sit near Lake Pend Oreille and along forested shores. Dent Acres and Riley Creek have plenty of room for RVs and easy access to hiking.

If you’re into kayaking or fishing, Springy Point and Grandad both deliver clear lake water and a peaceful vibe.

COE Campgrounds in Illinois

Illinois offers up lakeside camping with picnic shelters and boating. Dam West and South Marcum have full hookups, while Blanding Landing sits right on the Mississippi River.

Gun Creek and Coles Creek come with fish cleaning stations and accessible restrooms.

COE Campgrounds in Iowa

Iowa’s got a nice mix—lakefront and wooded campsites. Prairie Flower and Acorn Valley have modern restrooms and playgrounds.

Tailwater East and Cherry Glen sit close to fishing piers and sandy swimming spots. You can bike or stroll along the shoreline at your own pace.

COE Campgrounds in Kansas

Kansas COE sites like Tuttle Creek Cove and Cedar Point offer big views and roomy boat ramps. Minooka Park and Bloomington East are great for shoreline camping and walking trails.

Anglers hit up Cottonwood Point, and School Creek has shady sites with picnic tables.

COE Campgrounds in Kentucky

You can camp near scenic lakes close to Mammoth Cave National Park at places like Baileys Point on Barren River Lake.

Dog Creek and Kendall have water access for canoeing and fishing. The Narrows and Wax welcome both tents and RVs, with swimming and clean restrooms nearby.

COE Campgrounds in Louisiana

Louisiana’s South Abutment East and Ivan Lake are top picks for quiet fishing and boating. You’ll find shaded picnic spots and basic facilities.

Tom Merrill is a simple, laid-back spot for small groups.

COE Campgrounds in Maryland

Mill Run lines up riverside campsites with hiking trails, kayak launches, and picnic areas for group get-togethers.

COE Campgrounds in Masschusetts

At Indian Hollow, you can hike wooded trails and fish in nearby streams. The sites are primitive but peaceful—great if you’re after some solitude.

COE Campgrounds in Minnesota

Minnesota’s COE campgrounds—think Leech Lake and Cross Lake—blend pine forests with calm water. Folks often fish for walleye or spot bald eagles nesting nearby.

Gull Lake has a swimming beach and playgrounds for the little ones.

COE Campgrounds in Mississippi

Mississippi COE sites dot the state’s big lakes. Piney Grove has waterfront camping, electricity, and showers.

Blue Bluff gives you scenic overlooks for birdwatching, and Hernando Point connects you to trails, boating, and water skiing.

COE Campgrounds in Montana

Montana’s got Duck Creek and The Pines, known for wide-open spaces and solid fishing. Boaters like Devils Creek for launching small craft.

Primitive spots like Fourchette Bay are perfect for stargazing.

COE Campgrounds in Nebraska

Nebraska offers smaller lakeside spots such as Hunter Cove and Gremlin Cove. Canoeing is easy on these calm waters, and you’ll find picnic tables tucked into shady corners.

COE Campgrounds in New Mexico

Riana, Cochiti, and Tetilla Peak hug desert lakes that are perfect for kayaking and snorkeling. The skies are huge and the cliffs dramatic—sunset photos here are something else.

COE Campgrounds in North Carolina

Warrior Creek and Bandits Roost line the reservoirs near Percy Priest Lake. You can hike forest trails, fish for bass, or just kick back by the water.

Fort Hamby Park comes with picnic shelters and big open fields.

COE Campgrounds in North Dakota

Camp at Eggerts Landing or Wolf Creek for wide prairie views and top-notch fishing. East Totten Trail connects to biking routes and public beaches.

Beaver Creek offers full hookups right by the boat ramps.

COE Campgrounds in Ohio

Mill Creek sits in a wooded area with a peaceful atmosphere—great for tents or smaller RVs. You’ll get basic picnic tables and some hiking nearby.

COE Campgrounds in Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s Afton Landing and Appalachia Bay both sit close to big lakes—perfect for sailing, windsurfing, and fishing.

You can wander sandy stretches, shaded trails, and open picnic grounds for a laid-back weekend.

COE Campgrounds FAQ

What Are Corps of Engineers Campgrounds?

COE campgrounds are public recreation areas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages them, and you’ll usually spot these spots tucked beside lakes or winding rivers where the Corps handles water projects.

You can camp there whether you’re in a tent or rolling in with your full RV hookups. Across the U.S., you’ll find around 450 COE campgrounds. They’re quiet, laid-back places to set up camp, launch a boat, or drop a line in the water.

A lot of campers pick these sites when they’re deep into RV trip planning. Why? Well, they’re affordable, the facilities are clean, and the views—especially by the lakes—are hard to beat. Plus, you don’t have to deal with the crowds you’d find at those big private parks.

How Do You Locate COE Campgrounds Near You?

You can check out the Corps Lakes Getaway website to browse available sites. The maps break down campgrounds by state, which makes things pretty straightforward.

Some folks like to use third-party camping platforms instead. Those sites often pull in the same info, but they add user reviews and photos, which can be handy if you want a sneak peek.

When you’re planning your route, keep in mind that a lot of COE campgrounds use the federal reservation system. You can book your spot online or just call ahead—super convenient, especially during busy seasons.

What Are the Fees at COE Campgrounds?

You’ll find that rates change depending on where you camp and what kind of setup you want. Most electric RV sites will run you somewhere between $20 and $30 per night. If you’re just pitching a basic tent or going primitive, you’ll usually pay less than $20 per night.

Prices can shift a bit depending on the region and the time of year. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and snag a deal in the off-season, but it’s always smart to double-check before you hit the road.