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Recreation Overview

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the largest provider of water-based outdoor recreation in the nation.  Its 422 lake and river projects in 43 states provide a diverse range of recreational opportunities. Visitors of all ages can enjoy traditional activities like hiking, boating, fishing, camping and hunting, and for those slightly more adventurous there is snorkeling, windsurfing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and geo-caching.  Regardless of your favorite outdoor activity one thing is certain, recreation enriches people's lives.  A visit to an Army Corps of Engineers' recreation area can strengthen family ties and friendships; create unforgettable memories and connect people to nature that will last a lifetime.

With more than 90 percent of our recreation areas located within 50 miles of a major metropolitan center, there is a Corps site near you. We invite you to visit us!

Did you know?

  • The Army Corps of Engineers hosts 370 million visits annually to its recreation areas.
  • Corps-managed waters provide 33 percent of all U.S. freshwater fishing.
  • 59,000 volunteers work 1.9 million hours annually at Corps projects-- providing $37.5 million in value of service.
  • Seven of the top 10 migratory bird flyways in the U.S. crossover Corps-managed waters.
  • The Corps manages 12 million acres of public lands and waters nationwide.
  • A visitor to Corps recreation areas can find 55,000 milies of shoreline; 4,500 miles of trails; 90,000 campsites and 3,400 boat launch ramps nationally.

News

(From left to right) Sgt. Sam Boorse, Andy Gray, Natural Resourse Specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Sgt. 1st Class William R. Poe, work together to get a 12-foot, two-inch, 455-pound alligator on board. Boorse and Poe are assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion at the San Antonio Military Medical Center.

Warrior hunt at BA Steinhagen Lake nets monster gator for recovering Soldiers, veterans
10/2/2012
Poe and Boorse, along with retired Staff Sgt. William Bighouse and former U.S. Marine Cpl. Cody E. Hammer, took part in a wounded warrior alligator hunt hosted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Pineywoods Ecosystem Project and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District’s Town Bluff Project Office.

Army Corps of Engineers waives day-use fees on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29
9/18/2012
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will waive day-use fees at its more than 2,400 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29. On this day, fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches will be waived. USACE does not charge entrance fees to its parks.

'Angling' for fun: vets take service members fishing at Corps Lake in thanks for their service
9/5/2012
TULSA -- A group of Airmen, Soldiers and Marines were treated to a free day of fishing recently at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake in southeastern Kansas to thank them for their service and give them some downtime.

Obama Administration announces redesign of Recreation.Gov as part of initiative to boost tourism, strengthen economy
8/20/2012
WASHINGTON -- As part of President Obama’s initiative to fuel the economy and create jobs by promoting travel and tourism, the administration today announced a new design, improved navigation tools and expanded content for Recreation.Gov, the interagency website that guides visitors to 90,000 sites on federal lands such as national parks, wildlife refuges, waterways, forests and recreation areas.

Corps of Engineers' Bartram Trail named National Recreation Trail
7/20/2012
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District's Bartram Trail, located at J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake, was recently designated by the Department of Interior as a national recreation trail.

Recreation Photos

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Campers at Applegate Cove
Refurbished dock at Applegate Cove on R.S. Kerr.
Water tubing on R.S. Kerr
A park ranger demonstrates how to properly wear a life jacket.
Wear your life jacket!
Fishing for Flathead Catfish at Marion Reservoir.
Child in Raft
Richey Cove Beach
WASHINGTON -- As part of President Obama’s initiative to fuel the economy and create jobs by promoting travel and tourism, the administration today announced a new design, improved navigation tools and expanded content for Recreation.Gov, the interagency website that guides visitors to 90,000 sites on federal lands such as national parks, wildlife refuges, waterways, forests and recreation areas.
DENISON, Texas — Tommy Holder (left), and Josh Wingfield, both park rangers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District, along with Student Conservation Association intern Matt Mueller pose with a group of children who have learned about water safety at Lake Texoma. The Tulsa District has teamed with Wendy

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