KOA

Anmacc2 wrote:
My DW has a serious health issue. KOAs are all networked so emergency response has easy access to directions if needed. Response can come right to your site. To each their own but we stay almost exclusively at KOAs.

Been involved with a few emergencies in random campgrounds. Believe me, if this gives you peace of mind, by all means, but don't think that it's any safer in a KOA. Most CGs do an excellent job of making sure help gets where it's needed ASAP. KOA doesn't have any magical lock on responsible management, or caring neighbors.

I have stayed at some independently owned, non chain RV parks that were poor with unlevel sites, high grass, unfriendly employees, and much over priced. Therefore I recommend no one ever stay at any independently owned, non chain RV park. :S

Average price in Pa for an AVERAGE campground is 60-65 per night. There are very few less than that, and a few more than that.

KOA campgrounds have three different classifications. They are "journey", "holliday", and"resort". Journey is a basic rv park for overnights and usually the least ecpensive. As the amenities go up in the higher classifications, so does the price. We stayed at quite a few journey parks last march and found the price pretty comparable to others in the area.

I agree with qcloss, we were going to Delaware to see the daughter but after looking at the price's per night we turned around in Ohio at a KOA which was $45 a night pull thought full hookups an headed back home ...

I you have the KOA book or on line it shows you what they have, the more things they have like pools an bikes, cabins etc the cost will go up per night, also the amount of people an animals as well...

We are at a campground outside of Rapid city that is just as nice as any KOA we have stayed at an has more features like covered picnic tables an extra water at each site, large game room, large meeting room, very nice laundry building, fire pits at each site, pool, cable TV, wifi an a large number of 50amp pull thoughts for only $45 a night plus tax an they show you to you site an make sure your lined up so you have no long runs of your hook-ups. Also lots of shade tree, owners are really nice folk an the park is neat a clean along with well kept ...

The KOA at Rapid City is ok but can't come close to this park we are staying 8 miles further down the road ...

Safe travels

$60 a night is a bargain compared to what some campgrounds in the Northeast are charging. Some of the Jellystone's, one in Gardiner NY and another in Quarryville PA charge more than $100/night in July and August.

Not taking up for KOA at all but any chance this was during the Sturgis rally? Also, it is the peak time of the year up there.

This is a semi-frequent discussion and I'm one of the ones who likes KOA. I'm not brand loyal but I'll pay $10 more per night for KOA. I get the 10% discount so that helps.

The complaints about $60 routinely shift to motel comparisons. I've stayed in Super 8 or similar a few times over the last few years and to say it is an unpleasant experience is an understatement. And if the motel is anywhere other than timbuktoo, you may pay closer to $80. A decent hotel is now $100+ even on an interstate stop (Holiday Inn Express, Hampton, etc) and it seems hotel taxes are worse than campground taxes.

To each his own but $60 isn't bad anymore. Can you do it nightly when full-timing? No. If I'm on vacation with my family, it's not a bad deal and I mix municipal parks with water and electric for $12, cheaper privates, etc. as I go. Just depends on what is available. I've had great experiences at municipal, non-affiliated private, and KOA's that I would quickly recommend to others.

I've camped coast to coast twice on 30 day trips and did not have time flexibility of a retiree. I would say my average nightly cost is around $50. Highest price was in Anaheim near Disneyland. Lowest was a municipal park in MN ($6 if I remember right). Two worst experiences, both over $60/night were a locally owned campground in NE and a Yogi park in WI.

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.
:(

I am always surprised when I hear what people think is "too much" for a campsite. Now, I am talking about full service commercial campgrounds here, not the more rustic state or national forest sites with no hookups and few to no amenities.

In most cases, I consider myself fortunate to find a site for $60. Now, granted, we have 7 so in some cases, we pay a little extra for the number of people, but still....

Perhaps I am not a savvy comparison shopper but honestly I chose a campground based on what is most appropriate for my needs/wants. Price is much lower on the list of things I consider. And, yes, I do realize that we are blessed to not have to look as closely at the costs...