Do you want to try camping but not sure you want to go far away for your first trip? Or maybe you have more family coming to visit and not enough space. A hidden gem for local camping is the Camp Murray Beach and RV Campground which is a lovely wooded site nestled on the shores of American Lake. There are 28 full RV hookups, eight tent sites, a boat launch and a kitchen with a picnic area. The RV sites are open year-round and the tent sites are open April 1-Sept. 30. You really feel like you are getting away from it all at this secluded, lakeside retreat.

The campground is open to active and retired military, reservists, authorized DoD civilians and Washington Military Department employees. You must have a valid ID. Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance. Prices range from $10-$32 in the summer and $8-$28 in the winter. The facility is run by the National Guard Association of Washington located in Building 2, Camp Murray. They are open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and you can call for reservations at 253.584.5411. Afterhours and on weekends the Camp Host is available at 253.209.5711. Payments can be made by cash or check at the campground dropbox - cards must be processed at the office.

The facility has coin-operated washers and dryers and men and women's shower rooms. All RV sites have sewer and water hookups. There are 50-amp and 30-amp sites. Fishing is allowed with a valid license. Check-in is noon and check-out is 11 a.m. Maximum stay at RV sites is 30 days and 14 days for tent sites.

A variety of tents and trailers are available for rent at the Northwest Outdoor Center. There is also camping equipment and supplies for rent or purchase and it is conveniently located near Camp Murray. JBLM-Lewis North also has a large shopette for ice and other last-minute things you may have forgotten.

Camp Murray can be accessed from I-5 via exit 122 or you can access it from the JBLM-Lewis North gate past the American Lake Conference Center. This gate between the two bases is open during the week and on drill weekends only.