Take advantage of your travel benefits and discover unique, budget-friendly vacation opportunities! Marine Getaways, the recreational lodging operated by the Marine Corps, offers the ideal combination of adventure and relaxation without breaking the bank. From tranquil beachside cabins to scenic mountain retreats, these accommodations provide something for everyone, making it easy to plan a trip that suits your style.
Guest contributor Julie Chickery highlights six Marine Corps installations you won’t want to miss when planning your next affordable escape!
Visit the facilities’ respective websites (linked within each description) for pricing, availability, and reservation policies. Patrons authorized to use Marine Corps MWR services encompass a broad community, from active duty personnel and their families to retired military members, eligible veterans, surviving spouses, and DoD civilians. Contact the facilities directly to confirm eligibility.
Lake Martinez Recreation Facility (Yuma, AZ)
Situated in the southwestern corner of Arizona, along the lower Colorado River, the Lake Martinez Recreational Facility, operated by MCAS Yuma, is an aquatic lover’s paradise. Enjoy the small beach and swimming area, or choose from various watercraft rentals (paddle boards, kayaks, boats, etc.) to enjoy on the lake.
The 500-acre lake is brimming with bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and striped), catfish, black crappie, bluegill, and tilapia. If you’re interested in birding, the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, a central migratory stopping point, is only two miles away.
Lodging options include pet-friendly park models, cabins, and campsites.
The park models are one- or two-bedroom units with queen beds. The two-bedroom cabins have a queen bed in one room and four twin bunk beds in another.
All park models and cabins have well-equipped kitchens, comfortable living rooms, and lakefront views. The 17 paved campsites have water and electricity and are suitable for RVs or tents.
Please note that the recreation area is off the beaten path: 40 miles north of MCAS Yuma. While the camp store has some snacks and sundries, there are no gas stations, grocery stores, or restaurants nearby. Stock up in Yuma before heading to the lake for peace and quiet.
Big Bear Recreation Facility (Big Bear Lake, CA)
Whether you’re seeking an outdoor adventure or a little mountain solitude, MCAS Miramar’s Big Bear Recreation Facility is for you! Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, three miles from Big Bear Lake, this campground boasts forested hiking and biking trails, a playground, a sand volleyball court, a horseshoe pit, and a group campfire area.
The surrounding San Bernardino National Forest offers hiking trails ranging from beginner-friendly loops to more challenging climbs with incredible panoramic views. Numerous opportunities for watersports, fishing, and swimming abound at the lake.
In the winter, the campground offers sleds for on-site fun and easy access (less than a mile) to Snow Summit, which has 240 acres of skiable terrain for all ability levels.
Available lodging accommodations include ten pet-friendly cabins (studio to three bedrooms) and a campground. All cabins have a fireplace in the living room for cool mountain nights. In addition to kitchens with cooktop ranges, the cabins also have grills and an outdoor picnic area.
The campground has five paved RV sites with water and electricity and five primitive wooded tent campsites. While the campground is open year-round, water at the campsites is discontinued during the cold months (November through April). The bathhouse remains open with hot water and flush toilets.
Camp Pendleton Recreation Areas (San Diego County, CA)
Nestled along southern California’s stunning coastline, this military base is home to multiple unique recreation spots, each featuring top-notch accommodations, amenities, and activities for everyone in the family. With a sliding price scale based on rank, the cottages strike a fabulous bargain!
Also, if you enjoy camping but don’t own an RV, you can rent campers from Camp Pendleton’s Outdoor Recreation Office!
Del Mar Beach & Marina
If you dream of waking up to waves crashing on the shoreline, Del Mar Beach & Marina is the perfect spot for a vacation on the shore.
The cottages and RV campsites are adjacent to the installation’s leading beach recreation site. This destination is for travelers looking for watersport rentals, sailing classes, and plenty of activities.
Choose from beachfront or marina view cottages and a large campground with five rows (106 sites) of campsites with water, power, and sewer.
Cottages are one- and two-bedroom configurations with furnished patios. All are well-appointed and come stocked with linens and kitchen essentials. A highlight of this facility is the ability to choose a cottage in front of the protected kid’s cove for access to calmer waters for the young or young-at-heart in your family.
San Onofre Beach Campground
San Onofre Beach Campground is a surfer’s paradise located at the northern end of Camp Pendleton. Bring your boards and test the waves, or enjoy the simple pleasure of combing the shoreline for shells.
Lodging choices include 13 beach cottages (one or two bedrooms) and a multitude of campsites. Camping is divided into three categories: 57 full hookup sites (water, power, sewer), 37 partial hookup sites (water, power), 11 tent sites, and four group camping sites.
Amenities include an outdoor gym, a playground, restrooms, and guest laundry.
Lake O’Neill Recreation Park
Lake O’Neill Recreation Park is a hidden gem for campers who prefer lakeside serenity over ocean waves. There aren’t any cabins here, but there are 61 RV sites and 67 tent sites.
The main campground has two playgrounds, volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit, and a fishing dock.
The adjacent recreation area offers boat rentals, a fishing dock, a basketball court, a playground, and horseshoe pits. They even have a Stay & Play rental package for only an additional $10 per day during your stay. It includes miniature golf and sports equipment, a one-hour kayak or pedal boat rental, and a two-hour fishing pole rental.
Camp Fuji (Japan)
Camp Fuji, located at the foot of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, offers unique and convenient access to one of the country’s most popular attractions.
Needless to say, the proximity to the mountain is one of the main attractions here. However, if climbing Mount Fuji is on your bucket list, you’ll need to plan your visit during the short climbing season (mid-July to early September).
If you’re there outside that window, don’t miss the Fuji Five Lakes area to take in scenes of the magnificent mountain from the five-story Chureito Pagoda. While Mount Fuji is undoubtedly a highlight, there is so much more to enjoy in this region. Book a tour (or several) through Camp Fuji’s ITT office.
The Mountain View Inn, their hotel style lodging, offers 34 rooms. Standard rooms have a private bath, queen-sized bed, TV, mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwave. Kitchenette rooms and DV Suites are also available on a limited basis.
Another exciting option at Camp Fuji is RV rentals. Mountain Motors rents the Towa Wohn RV, which can sleep up to six people.
Similar in size to popular camper vans in the States, the Towa Wohn has a very efficient layout with three sleeping areas: a bunk over the cab, bunks in the back, and a dinette that also converts into a small bed. In addition, these RVs have a sink, two-burner stovetop, and refrigerator.
Note that the campers do not have bathrooms. Fortunately, Japan has clean, affordable campgrounds and rest areas where you can use the facilities. The staff at Mountain Motors will provide details.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii Mokapu Recreational Lodging (Kaneohe Bay, HI)
Have you always wanted to visit Hawaii but are concerned about costs? Consider one of MCB Hawaii’s several recreational lodging options. Perched on Kaneohe Bay, on the northeast coast of the island of Oahu, MCB Hawaii has nine miles of seashore and four distinct accommodations.
Make sure you visit the Outdoor Recreation office at the Marina for low-cost rentals. They have boats (pontoon, ski, and sailboats), surfboards, SUPs, kayaks, fishing rods, beach chairs, coolers, and more. Also, if you’re a golfer, don’t miss the opportunity to play a round at the Kaneohe Klipper, one of the top military golf courses!
Here are the Mokapu Recreational Lodging options in order of price, lowest to highest.
Cabanas
Affordably priced, the Cabanas are adjacent to a private beach. Each studio has one king, two queens, or five double beds. Bathroom stalls and showers are in the men’s and women’s community bathhouses. There are also picnic tables and grills in the common area between the buildings.
Fairway Inn
The lodging option most like a standard hotel, the Inn offers 24 rooms with a single king or two queen beds, a private bathroom, and a kitchenette with a small refrigerator, microwave, toaster, and coffee maker. The building is located on the golf course and has a guest laundry facility as well as a grab-and-go breakfast cafe.
Beach Cottages
The 13 two-bedroom cottages are right on the water and boast breathtaking views of the bay. With two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room/dining area, and a full kitchen, these are family-friendly. The star of these beach cottages is the furnished lanai (patio) with a grill allowing you to take in the fabulous views while you enjoy coffee or a meal.
Klipper Villas
Overlooking the golf course, the villas offer the only pet-friendly accommodation on this installation. The two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas also have bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, a living room/dining area, and a furnished lanai with a grill.
Onslow Beach (Camp Lejeune, NC)
Consider Camp Lejeune’s Onslow Beach resort for a fabulous stay on the East Coast. Nestled on a small strip of land between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, the resort offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and beachcombing.
The Onslow Beach Resort offers a variety of lodging options, including: small one-bedroom, one-bath cabanas located directly on the beach; one-bedroom, one-bath lodges with a loft; three-bedroom, two-bath Ospreys with large decks; and two- or three-bedroom “Rank Homes,” which are similar to the Ospreys but reserved for Gold Star Families, E9s, or O5s and above.
The resort also has an RV campground with 33 full hookup sites (water, power, and sewer). Each campsite has a picnic table and gazebo.
Other amenities include boat and other recreation equipment rentals, a dedicated pet beach, and the Onslow Beach Marine Mart, where you can purchase snacks, sundries, and a fishing license. If you need to stock up on groceries for your stay, the Camp Lejeune commissary is a short 10-minute drive away.
Ready to Use Your Benefits to Stay in Marine Corps MWR Lodging?
If you see a facility you like, reserve it as early as possible! Some of these military recreation areas are very popular and fill up quickly.
Looking for more places to use your military benefits for a getaway? Learn about recreational lodging operated by the Army, Navy, and Air Force!
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Author Bio: Julie Chickery is a travel writer with a passion for exploration. She caught the travel bug while serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. After retirement, Julie and her husband, Sean, lived in their fifth-wheel RV for six years before settling down near their grandchildren. She shares travel tips and itineraries for epic road trips on her blog, Chickery’s Travels.