KOA

We don't typically stay at KOAs but we have on occasion. 3 or 4 years ago while in northern CA we decided to stay at the Petaluma KOA, one of the nicest campgrounds we've stayed at. The staff there was amazing, their SF city tour was awesome!

This last April we stayed at the KOA in Cedar Falls IA, very nice layout, easy to get in and out of and the only campground we've ever stayed at with a gas/diesel station on property! Their WIFI was great but it was early in the season so not too many people staying there. A bit pricey but like most of the others have stated, you usually get what you pay for. It's about choices, you have to stay where YOU'RE comfortable.

Dan

Lauren wrote:
But I do my homework on RVPark Reviews (don't go back more than two years, toss out the high onw and low one, and look for at least 7.5 - which in some cases cannot be met for an area).

This is exactly what we do. On our retirement trip, we were never surprised. Not to say that we didn't stay at some turkeys, but we knew there were issues before we got there. 7.5 is our cutoff. The highest rating is probably the owner, the lowest probably the closest competitor.

Lauren wrote:
KOA generally has more amenities. Guess what, that costs them and it has to be passed on. You don't want or need them? Then go someplace else - if you find a place more meeting your wants /needs /not needs or whatever. Oh, no place near there for miles? Gee, think that has something to do with it? Or whatever - could go on and on.

I tend to agree with you for the most part but it depends on where you travel and what type of parks you stay at. I prefer the nicer parks, big wide spots that aren't crammed together, well maintained landscaping, maybe a nice clubhouse, pool, wide paved streets etc. Others prefer a campground style, dirt or gravel roads, minimal amenities, just need hookups.

I find KOA's are somewhere in the middle. I have never been to any KOA that I'd consider upscale. They're almost always cramped tight spots, more of a campground than a resort but have quite a few amenities geared mostly for families. Some are very nice, others are dumps but thats the same with any other RV park.

The San Diego KOA is very nice, tons of amenities and while expensive to other parts of the country, is a decent value compared with other parks in the area.

Spots are a bit tight but not bad. But they need to remove large trees from the corner of some sites which makes getting in and out of the spot difficult!

Geez, not a serious KOA bashing thread in a long time. Amazing, in all the years I have been on here this type of posting is completely redundant. New names (sometimes), new places (sometimes) but the content is virtually identical.

KOA generally has more amenities. Guess what, that costs them and it has to be passed on. You don't want or need them? Then go someplace else - if you find a place more meeting your wants /needs /not needs or whatever. Oh, no place near there for miles? Gee, think that has something to do with it? Or whatever - could go on and on.

I spent a 32 year career in corporate marketing. Maybe I have a been understanding of places like KOA, Holiday Inn, etc. There are good and there are not so good - even with Marriott.

We have also spent 19 years part time rv'ing and have now been to 190 different rv parks so I think I can speak with some sort of experience.

I will never badmouth KOA - though not all experiences have been perfect they do their best to make things right. Not true of many independent parks. Our worst experiences have been with independents - generally lack of ethics and honesty.

But I do my homework on RVPark Reviews (don't go back more than two years, toss out the high onw and low one, and look for at least 7.5 - which in some cases cannot be met for an area).

My best friend from engineering school just passed on. He was 77 and always going to cut back on his business and so envied what we do. Did not get the chance.

Count your blessings - Barbara and I do. A less than perfect RV park is way down on the scale of important things in life.

KOA = KIDS The KOA's are geared toward families with kids, lots to keep them busy.

olfarmer wrote:
Wow, one night at a KOA in Sioux Falls, South Dakota was $60, guess this is the last KOA I will stay at! Stayed in a nice campground near Mt. Rushmore for $40.
:(

You've been in the know since at least 2006 and come here to drop this complaint in 2017?.

I think you should be labeled a troll...this is ridiculous.

mileshuff wrote:
I'd sure like to find nice RV parks under $75 in popular areas of California!!
RV parks such as Chula Vista in San Diego, Pechenga in Temecula, Vines in Paso Robles are all $75 to over $100 during peak periods. The parks that are under $50 are almost all VERY low end dirty dumps.

When I hear people complain about rates over $50 I realize the area I RV in is EXPENSIVE! But, I can RV 365 days a year and never put my rig away for the winter.

Yea I hear you I never liked vacationing in CA even when I lived there for several reasons two of which are high price for fuel and the 55 speed limit

We are in the middle of a 2 week trek out west. We stayed at KOA in Huntington, St. Louis, St. Mary's, Sheridan. Except for St. Mary which is at the doorstep of Glacier NP, we never paid more than $50 a night.

As a business traveler when not camping, I want quality consistency and similarly when rving I want the same and am willing to pay extra for it. Every one of the above KOA gave me available pull through sites, 50A service, easy on and off of an interstate, well manicured, clean facilities. That's what I want an am willing to pay for. Just my 2 cents.

newtondak wrote:
Not at all impressed with the KOAs we've stayed in. They try to cram way too many sites together and charge way too much.

That can be said of many RV Parks/Resorts not just KOA's.

Not at all impressed with the KOAs we've stayed in. They try to cram way too many sites together and charge way too much.