Fort McCoy's Pine View Recreation Area prepares for summer season

By Rob Schuette, Fort McCoy Public Affairs OfficeMarch 27, 2009

Fort McCoy's Pine View Recreation Area prepares for summer
Employees from Xcel Energy work to upgrading the electricity at Fort McCoy's Pine View Recreation Area. The work will help pave the way for additional cabins to support guests who want to stay at the Fort McCoy facility and take advantage of its offe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort McCoy's Outdoor Recreation staff is preparing Pine View Recreation Area for upcoming activities this spring and summer.

Karl Coughlin and Cathy Caulum, Outdoor Recreation employees, said the Equipment Checkout Center, building 8053, is beginning to ramp up for the summer season. New for rental this year are global positioning system units and kayaks.

In addition, the facility will have fishing and boating equipment, outdoor sports equipment and other summer-type equipment for rent. Pine View also offers various lodging opportunities ranging from Yurts and tents to camping sites with electricity, cable and/or water for recreational vehicles to fixed facilities such as cabins. The lodging is open year-round.

"We're busy ordering supplies and finalizing agendas to prepare for the season," Coughlin said.

The first special event is the Saturday, April 4 Fools Run 5K at the Pine View campground. The activity is open to the public and will have an entrance fee of $10 per person and $30 per family.

Other runs are scheduled July 4 and Aug. 8. The Aug. 8 event will include a dog jog event. A bicycle race will be held Sept. 26, and a Roadkill Run will be held Oct. 24 at the Rumpel Fitness Center, building 1122.

"The summer camping season will kick off with the Memorial Day Jamboree Weekend from May 22-25," Caulum said. "We will have family competitions and other events."

Other major upcoming events at Pine View will be the Family Fun Day Saturday, July 11. Activities will include inflatable games for children and a Velcro wall-climbing event.

The haunted trails event for Halloween will be Aug. 21-22. The event will include a child-friendly (not-so-scary) trail and a scary trail, Coughlin said. Other events will include site and pumpkin decorating events, costume parties and spooky crafts.

A number of special weekend activities will include night glow golf and Christmas (in July) golf. The summer season will end with a Labor Day event from Sept. 4-6.

Events and the Pine View facility are open to the public. Pine View also has a Camp Store and a Swimming Beach, which are open from the Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends. Personnel do not have to be camping or staying in Pine View lodging to compete in events or use the facilities, unless otherwise noted (such as the Halloween site decorating contest).

The most up-to-date listings about Pine View events/activities and costs can be found at the Fort McCoy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Web site at http://www.mccoymwr.com or by calling the MWR Event Line at 877-864-4969 or 608-388-7400.

More information about Pine View and reservations also can be made by calling 608-388-3517/2619.