Why did the KOA's close?

I can see where operating under the KOA brand was useful to an owner before the advent of lightweight portable computing and easy cellular/WiFi signals.

Long ago, it may have seemed like a challenge to locate a safe, clean place, so RVers perhaps relied on KOA as a quality symbol. Now, you can open the Allstays app, look at your location's choices, and do five minutes' worth of research to find a good place to stay at a fair price.

That's what happened to Americamp campground on I-95 south of Ashland VA, and before the intersection with I-295.

For years, they were Americamp. Then a few years ago they became affiliated with KOA and KOA was added to the sign.

I live a few miles from that campground and go by there when I have a propane bottle that needs filling. One day, I noticed the KOA part of the sign was gone, and all the KOA yellow shirts were also gone. I asked why. The answer was the same. Couldn't justify paying all that money to KOA for no apparent benefit.

Johno02 wrote:
Most that we have been to have said that the KOA name was not worth the amount they had to pay to keep the name. Many have improved without the KOA expense, and have very nice campgrounds. As we rarely use all the extras offered by KOA and the fees are usually a lot higher for things we don't need or use, I only stay at a KOA if there is no other choice. We do stay at a lot of ex-KOAs that are priced a lot more reasonable. However, for those with kids, or those that use the facilities,and don't mind the overcrowding, KOAs can be a great place.

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I've seen campgrounds over the years that dropped their KOA affiliation for various reasons. In some cases, it was KOA's decision when the CG could no longer meet their standards and refused to upgrade, in others it was the owner's decision when profitability dropped, and the 10% fee to KOA became a burden, and in a some cases, it was because the CG had built a good reputation with many repeat and seasonal customers, and didn't feel that the value KOA added was worthwhile any longer. One other reason is a change of ownership, with the new owner wanting to go in a different direction. On the other hand, the KOA roster of campgrounds continues to grow, so apparently more locations are joining KOA than are dropping out.

I can't accurately respond to your comment about more locations that are joining KOA, than leaving. I've observed the opposite, and have recently stayed at many former KOA RV parks. I'll stay at a KOA park if necessary, but don't want to pay for the hype, and usually choose another RV Park, unless the grandkids are with us, and they love the amenities.

I also object to KOA's aggressive policy of trying to change zoning ordinances in cities to prohibit RV parking outside of established RV parks. Essentially eliminating parking at Walmart and other "stealth" camping options.

Most that we have been to have said that the KOA name was not worth the amount they had to pay to keep the name. Many have improved without the KOA expense, and have very nice campgrounds. As we rarely use all the extras offered by KOA and the fees are usually a lot higher for things we don't need or use, I only stay at a KOA if there is no other choice. We do stay at a lot of ex-KOAs that are priced a lot more reasonable. However, for those with kids, or those that use the facilities,and don't mind the overcrowding, KOAs can be a great place.

LOL I can say for certain that KOA has never dropped a CG's franchise because of quality concerns. Our local KOA's are a testament to how slum like one can be. KOA clearly has no minimums.
I suspect the only time they have split the sheets with a CG is when the money was not forthcoming.
At some point a CG must come to its senses and think Wait, what am I getting out of this? One epiphany and the love affair is over. :B

We stayed at a former (as of Jan 1 2014) KOA in Fond du Lac, WI, in early August. It is a lovely campground, with some seasonal sites, which are very well maintained. Owners were very competent and helpful.

They told us they had basically no benefit from the KOA branding, plus the fees were way too high. It's the only full-service RV park in a 30+ mile radius, so people who want their amenities are going to be there. Also being on the lake, they have a high demand for seasonal sites and a large repeat business from people coming there to for fishing and boating.

BTW, it's Breezy Hill RV Park, just outside Fond du Lac.

I've seen campgrounds over the years that dropped their KOA affiliation for various reasons. In some cases, it was KOA's decision when the CG could no longer meet their standards and refused to upgrade, in others it was the owner's decision when profitability dropped, and the 10% fee to KOA became a burden, and in a some cases, it was because the CG had built a good reputation with many repeat and seasonal customers, and didn't feel that the value KOA added was worthwhile any longer. One other reason is a change of ownership, with the new owner wanting to go in a different direction. On the other hand, the KOA roster of campgrounds continues to grow, so apparently more locations are joining KOA than are dropping out.

Maybe they wanted to make improvements and that would have put them outside of KOA's corporate standards for shabbiness. ;)