Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is the East Coast homeport for the Navy's Ohio-class ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines, and it is the only Atlantic Fleet base capable of supporting the Trident II (D-5) missile system.

Most personnel drive in via Interstate 95, using Exits 1, 3, or 6 depending on which gate they need.

Travelers flying in should plan on Jacksonville International Airport, about 35 miles south of the base down I-95.

The Navy Lodge at 1290 USS Andrew Jackson Road offers 25 rooms, including one handicap-accessible unit, all non-smoking, with 24-hour phone service available. It sits about three miles from the Navy Exchange Retail Complex, making it a reasonably central option for a first stop after arrival or a short TDY stay.

For those on official travel orders, the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites is designated as the preferred lodging choice, and it is also open to retirees, DoD and NAF employees, and sponsored guests traveling on leisure business. Booking early is worthwhile given the base's relatively small on-base lodging footprint.

Families reporting to Kings Bay can choose between privatized housing on base, managed by Balfour Beatty Communities, or homes out in the surrounding community, with the Housing Service Center able to assist either way.

The base borders St. Marys, Georgia, a historic coastal town, which is the most directly named nearby community for those considering off-base housing.

The Navy School Liaison office, located at 650 USS Wahoo Avenue, serves as the point of contact for families navigating local school enrollment questions, with weekday office hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. School enrollment is determined by home address, so families should confirm their specific school assignment with local school district officials or the School Liaison rather than assuming a particular school based on proximity to base.

For childcare, the Navy MWR Kings Bay Child Development Center and School Age Care program operates out of Building 0166 on Wahoo Avenue, open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on federal holidays. Families with young children or school-age kids needing before/after care should reach out directly given the specific operating hours.

The Naval Branch Health Clinic Kings Bay, located at 881 USS James Madison Road, is one of five branch clinics under Naval Hospital Jacksonville and delivers care to active duty, families, and retirees. It holds The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval and Primary Care Medical Home Certification, reflecting a consistent quality standard for routine and preventive visits.

Importantly, NBHC Kings Bay does not have an emergency room, so anyone facing a medical emergency needs to go to the nearest civilian ER rather than the base clinic. Appointments for the clinic run through Naval Hospital Jacksonville's centralized scheduling line, and the clinic also offers dental care for active duty and occupational health services on site.

The Housing Service Center, located in Building 180 on USS Andrew Jackson Boulevard, doubles as a resource for utility hookups, directing residents to services like InMyArea.com to compare local utility providers by ZIP code. This kind of practical support can shorten the settling-in process for anyone moving into off-base housing in Camden County.

For medications, the clinic supports Pharmacy Home Delivery through Express Scripts, letting beneficiaries skip a pharmacy trip by having prescriptions mailed instead.

Pay attention to which gate you plan to use: Stimson Avenue is open 24/7, but Franklin Avenue closes overnight and on weekends, so late arrivals or weekend errands should route through Stimson to avoid being turned away.

If you're flying in, budget for the drive from Jacksonville International Airport, roughly 30 to 35 miles north on I-95, and know that cab fares can vary; coordinating transportation with your command sponsor ahead of time avoids surprises after a long flight.