3 Flavors of KOA

I think it's a great idea. There were many times when we just needed a place to sleep, other times when we'd be exploring an area but would spend time at the cg and a few times when we just wanted to go and plunk. For those complaining about cost, just vote with your feet. I've been at private campgrounds whose cost far exceeds any KOA I've stayed at. BUT if it's where you want to be, when you want to be there, with the amenities you want (or not) then it's not expensive. You can't put a cost on memories.

We use a similar system now for hotels/cabins/condos since we don't currently have an RV. Two years ago we stayed at Custer State Park and rented a cabin. In Denmark it was a pricey hotel but the location unbeatable. In Iceland it was an apartment hotel so we'd have room to spread out and the ability to save money on meals, plus the cost couldn't be beat. Last week in St. John (USVI) we rented a condo for the same reason. Although the amenities at the Westin Hotel there would have been fantastic, the price for the rooms or condo we would have needed just couldn't be justified.

I wish they would just list their prices. You have to actually choose what type of site BEFORE you know what the cost is .

Mick

The Mystic KOA ,CT not on any list either. They were redesigning some of the site last weekend. They are pull thru that are very long. A big bus with a toad could fix nicely without detaching. I was told by a seasonal camper that they were being designed for overnight stop overs.

I believe they are redesignating those that qualify under the different ones as such. Those who do not suffice to one of the 3 types right now do not fall under any of them. They are just regular old KOAS. Probably need some work or is probably a way for them to make more money off the KOA's if they participate and pay up for the designation....I'm sure there is money involved in it.

The rushmore KOA is the best we've stayed at. By a mile. If there are any others that compare, I would love to know about them.

Apparently there are four categories. The fourth is "Other". I just checked for a list of KOAs in Florida. There are 25 according to their web site, but none of them are on the Journey, Holiday or Resort lists. It will be interesting to see how much more I'll have to pay for a Journey, Holiday or Resort. :)

joe b. wrote:
We tend to stay at many KOA campgrounds as we travel, generally just for a night or two. I wonder who is going to decide which category each CG fits into, with the new ratings? Many seem to use the term, resort, somewhat loosely ,IMHO, not just with KOAs either. Like many used car dealers like to use the term, honest, in their names. LOL

A few months back KOA announced they were going to be posting camping reviews of their CGs. I even got a few email surveys about the KOAs where we had recently stayed. That idea didn't seem to last very long, as I suspect some of the member campgrounds didn't like what was being said about their campground. Makes me wonder how long the new 3 tier listing will last. Not too many I have stayed at would fit in what I consider the resort category. Most, IMHO, are good, well run basic campgrounds, with most having easy access off the major highways of North America, sort of the Motel 6s of the campgrounds. Now the Mount Rushmore KOA is a resort, but not too many are to me. Many are located in resort areas, but the CG is not a resort.

Joe, looks like Corporate KOA decides on classifications themselves. The few I am familiar with have been well classified. They do have hundreds of reviews on the KOA website - looks to me that they publish the good, the bad, and the ugly!

I guess that you will have to decide what you want. In my state there are 34 KOAs with 1 Journey and 3 Holidays that leaves 30 you will have to take your chances :B

As for the review feature I think that it works well, I use it and have reviewed most of my stays for each place, they all have been published. I find it a lot more helpful than the others that seem to publish what they want.

So really by 3 flavors one means pricey, more pricey and very pricey as I don't see a KOA allowing any lowering of rates, but I bet they are good with charging more.

They missed the category for the Bellingham Wa. KOA - dilapidated.