Military Park - Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area

The Blakeslee Air Force Recreational Area is an absolute disgrace and should not be operating in its current condition. What is supposed to be a recreational facility for active duty service members and veterans instead feels like a neglected, unsanitary, and abandoned property that no one in leadership cares about. The housekeeping and custodial standards are appallingly bad. Basic cleaning either does not happen or is done so poorly that it is indistinguishable from neglect. The silverware provided in the housing was filthy, with visible food residue and grime. This is not a minor oversight. It is a fundamental sanitation failure. Guests should never have to question whether utensils are safe to use, especially in a facility associated with the military. The pest problem is even more disturbing. Roaches were present throughout the living areas, and this was during the winter. Seeing roaches in cold weather indicates a long-standing and severe infestation problem, not an isolated incident. This is a serious health concern and completely unacceptable in any lodging environment, let alone one intended for veterans and military families. Bathrooms, floors, surfaces, and common areas all reflected the same pattern of neglect. Dirt, stains, dust buildup, and general filth were apparent, suggesting that rooms are either not being properly cleaned between occupants or are not being inspected at all. There appears to be no quality control, no accountability, and no pride in maintaining the facility. The buildings themselves look like they have not been updated since they originally opened. Everything is outdated, worn down, and deteriorating. Fixtures and furnishings appear old and poorly maintained, giving the impression that the facility has been ignored for decades. This is not a case of being rustic or basic. It is a case of chronic disrepair and neglect. What makes this situation especially offensive is who this facility is meant to serve. Veterans and service members deserve clean, safe, and dignified accommodations. Instead, they are subjected to roaches, filthy kitchenware, outdated facilities, and an overall environment that feels forgotten and disrespected. Allowing this to continue under the Air Force name is embarrassing and insulting. I would never return to this location under any circumstances, and I strongly advise veterans, service members, and their families to avoid it entirely. Until there is a complete overhaul of housekeeping standards, pest control, maintenance, and leadership accountability, this place does not meet even the most basic expectations. This facility is not just disappointing. It is offensive to the people it claims to serve.

pros: nice accommodations, clean and well stocked kitchen and bathroom. great location with public beach access right across the street. ample parking however large trucks and suvs may have trouble with the smaller spaces. nice common field area for young kids. volleyball courts, golf cart rental, meeting spaces, and boat slips all available and in good condition. cons: - spotty inconsistent service, if you get any at all. difficult for using maps and checking weather conditions especially. in my personal cabin i had no service whatsoever. - advertises wifi availability due to the cell service issue. the wifi does NOT reach to or work in the cabins facing the back of property nor the ones furthest from the entrance at all. very troublesome especially if you’re needing to work remote or access the internet within your cabin.

I absolutely love the location! The accommodations were really nice, beach about a 10-12 min. walk, Cape Fear River on the other side. Very clean area. The best part is the salt water pool. It was large, very clean and a lot safer than the ocean! I enjoyed the pool the most. Lots of restaurants close by which is nice.

Only Active Duty, Retired Military or Disabled Veterans (100%) with a VA card can book space here. You must use the online reservation request system format and someone will call to confirm your request and provide a reservation number. We stayed here for 3 nights from 26-29 Dec 24. We had a one bedroom cottage and it was nice and cozy for my wife and I. Check-in was quick and easy. Sarah was very professional, helpful and very informative about the local area. Unfortunately, the weather was hit and miss...cold and rainy or cold and windy but we enjoyed each day. The room is nice and clean, but do not expect a Hilton or Westin experience. Our cottage seemed to be a freshly painted, but the furniture was a bit dated and worn. The kitchenette has dish soap, dish towels, dishes and silverware, but I opted to buy disposables to prevent washing dishes everyday. The bathroom is tight and has one sink, so plan accordingly. It had two bath towels and wash cloths. Be advised, they are basic training quality...one step above scouring pad, but they would do the job. I read previous reviews, and we brought our own, so it wasn't an issue for us. The bedroom was nice and comfy. The bedding was nice and the mattress was medium comfort. Pillows are thin, so you may want to bring your own as well. The room was very clean and tidy. You will have to clean your space daily or before you leave. There was no exchange of towels during our visit, so bring your own or wash what you have. The laundry is coin operated $0.75 to wash and $0.75 to dry. I recommend a credit card or NFC payment for these machines. The ice maker is located on the laundry room but was inoperable while we were there. Beach access is across the street (NE corner of cottage area) with a crosswalk and lighting system to notify vehicle operators. Fort Fisher State Park and the beach are close to the aquarium. Riverfront restaurant was closed for the season, so we ate in the Carolina/ Kure Beach area. It wasn't congested at all and the atmosphere was nice. Overall, it was a good stay, and I would recommend this to anyone coming to Kure Beach area. Pros: Cost, location, atmosphere, employees Cons: On-stie laundry ( update payment options)

Great place! Can someone let me know the schedule for the restaurant as of July 2022? It doesn't seem to match up with Google. We camped here July of 2021 and had a spectacular time. The camp store has lots of goodies and you can rent bikes, surf boards and other outdoor recreation toys, the staff are very friendly and accommodating, you can walk to the beach as well as to the Cape Fear River where there is a boat slip and a pier with great fishing to be had.