Army · Virginia

Virginia National Guard State Military Reservation

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

Virginia State Military Reservation guide: Guard training, lodging and access resources, distinct from California’s Marine Corps Camp Pendleton.

Active · Source review completed ·

A capabilities briefing during Cyber Fortress 26 at Virginia’s State Military Reservation, July 2026.
U.S. National Guard / A.J. Coyne · via DVIDSThe appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.
Service branch
Army
Location
Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
Installation type
National Guard training facility
Status
Active

Get oriented

At a glance.

Virginia’s State Military Reservation is an active National Guard training facility in Virginia Beach. Training, construction and approved guest arrangements govern access; it is not a public beach resort. [1]

Camp Pendleton is a former designation for this Virginia property. It is entirely separate from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. [1]

Keep these close

Base essentials.

At your fingertips
Lodging reservations
757-493-3125
Official source for Lodging reservations Checked
SMR operations
757-493-3121
Official source for SMR operations Checked

Phone numbers belong to the offices named above. Check the linked official pages for current hours and availability.

Prepare for the training site

Training & visits.

Coordinate reporting, site access and allocated facilities with your unit and the responsible site office before travel. Family support arrangements depend on your duty status.

Coordinate the approved activity

Confirm the training unit or guest sponsor before travel.

SMR resources

Book through the lodging office

The published May 2026 notice requires phone or in-person reservations and only anticipates a later system replacement. Confirm the booking process with lodging now; the hoped-for implementation date is not evidence that online reservations resumed.

Lodging update

Ask about construction and access

Follow current host instructions for the approved visit.

SMR access guidance

Check duty-status support

Ask the unit and Guard family programs about eligibility.

Family programs

Plan any school transfer

Before choosing housing, ask the receiving district to confirm the school serving that address, enrollment records and the appropriate military-family contact.

Virginia education resources

Prepare the household

Look up the evacuation zone for your Virginia Beach lodging or home address. Follow current local orders and the training site’s instructions; a reservation does not guarantee continued occupancy during a storm.

Virginia Know Your Zone

Go straight to the source

Official resources.

Confirm current procedures and arrangements with the responsible organization.

The place behind the name

History & identity.

Current & former names: State Military Reservation · Virginia State Military Reservation · SMR Virginia Beach · Camp Pendleton Virginia · Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation

  1. 1912

    Training-site origins

    The Guard traces the reservation’s establishment to 1912.

    Milestone source
  2. Today

    State Military Reservation

    The state uses SMR for this active training property.

    Milestone source

A few useful answers.

Is this California’s Marine base?

No. This is the Virginia Guard’s State Military Reservation.

Reference

Is Camp Pendleton the current state designation?

The Guard uses State Military Reservation; the former name remains an alias.

Reference

Is the beach generally open to the public?

No. The published access policy limits eligible users and activities.

Reference

Has the new hotel system launched?

This review could not confirm the hoped-for replacement. Contact lodging.

Reference

Are accommodations automatically available?

No. Confirm eligibility and reservations.

Reference

Where do families find school help?

Use Virginia’s military-family education resources.

Reference

Transparent by design

Sources & review.

  1. Official installation or organization Official command · Checked 2026-11-04
  2. SMR lodging and access update Virginia National Guard · Checked 2026-11-07
  3. Guard family programs Virginia National Guard · Checked 2026-11-04
  4. Military-family school transitions Virginia Department of Education · Checked 2026-11-04
  5. Household preparedness Virginia Department of Emergency Management · Checked 2026-11-04
  6. Current travel information Virginia Department of Transportation · Checked 2026-11-04
  7. Official photograph and original caption U.S. National Guard / A.J. Coyne · Checked 2026-11-04
  8. Coastal Virginia evacuation-zone lookup Virginia Department of Emergency Management · Checked 2026-11-07
Source review completed

Last source review: .

Source review completed against the cited official webpages and, where direct access was restricted, publicly indexed official text. This is an online editorial check, not a phone call, site visit or official endorsement. Confirm current access procedures, eligibility and availability with the responsible office. Targeted follow-up on November 7, 2026 reviewed the previously flagged practical-guidance and status gaps. New or rechecked source rows carry their own dates. Unchanged historical, image and contact facts retain earlier checks; no phone or field verification is claimed.

How we research guides

Suggest a correction — include this profile’s name and a supporting official source.

Use the linked sources to check information before making arrangements.

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