KOA ridiculous charge

[buc1980]

I want to let everybody know that KOA want me to pay 40$ for a overflow spot with no connection at all.THat I think is a rob. I left as soon as I can.I want all the rviers to boycot the KOA if possible.

[winnietrey]

Just got home, out for 15 nights, 3500 miles, with the GD. Stayed in KOAs all the way.
New to us, as we usually go state park or forest service CG's.

For camping with the GD I really liked them. Pools and playgrounds were a big hit with the kid. Staff was always friendly. Many had some sort of other kid thing going on as well. Wifi was pretty good at all campgrounds

As we don't reserve more than a day ahead (just the way we travel) I found it very nice to be able to log on to their website and make a reservation for the next day.

Locations were very close to the things we wanted to see.

Seemed like they averaged about $45 a night. So for us, with the kid, I thought KOA's were a pretty decent deal, and very user friendly, as far as making reservations, staff etc.

So would be pretty hard to us to complain about our experience with them

[zackyboy3rs]

I just checked Wilmiington NC KOA & their premium site is $93/ night.

[tenbear]

The last time I stayed at a KOA was many years ago. We had reserved a site and quoted a price. When we arrived we were given a bill which was substantially more than we were quoted. We questioned the bill and were told, oh, that's a resort fee, and its not optional.

Haven't been to a KOA since. KOA = Keep On Adding.

[bee_46]

We stayed at a number of KOA's on our trip this summer. We found them no more expensive than any other campground we stayed at along the way with the exception of Great Falls, MT. We did stop at one in MN that had no RV sites available but offered us a tent site for $20. We opted not to stay and found another campground about 20 minutes up the road. We had the choice whether to stay or not as I assume was the same choice the OP had.

We stay at KOA's or GS campgrounds when possible because they do seem to have at least a minimum standard to meet. Traveling in a class B we do use the bathroom facilities and prefer ones that are kept clean which I find true of most KOA's.

[Lantley]

Flapper wrote:
KOA's are like Holiday Inns used to be, or Howard Johnson's. We pretty consistently use them when on the road because of the usually dependable minimal standards. If there is a high rated alternative in the area, we of course will take that. But many times, it is "Joe's Slum" vs KOA.
In the end, my benchmark is pretty much always - what would we have paid if we didn't have an RV and this was a Motel 6? $40-$65 in a tourist area is still a deal, especially if it is for a shorter time. For destination stays, I'll look harder for alternatives, but either way, campground pricing is generally the least of my concerns.

Agreed.
CG Location is always more important than CG price

[Flapper]

KOA's are like Holiday Inns used to be, or Howard Johnson's. We pretty consistently use them when on the road because of the usually dependable minimal standards. If there is a high rated alternative in the area, we of course will take that. But many times, it is "Joe's Slum" vs KOA.
In the end, my benchmark is pretty much always - what would we have paid if we didn't have an RV and this was a Motel 6? $40-$65 in a tourist area is still a deal, especially if it is for a shorter time. For destination stays, I'll look harder for alternatives, but either way, campground pricing is generally the least of my concerns.

[Crabbypatty]

We recently went to visit our daughter to go to a show. I told the DW lets continue on to a nearby state as we don't have that magnet!!!I called up the cg that we like, not that we have a lot of choice with the location and they did not have overflow. I wasn't about to unhitch and leave my TT in Wally world and expect it to be there when I got back. So I gladly paid for a water and electric site. It was safe and secure when we returned and I didn't worry or think about it one bit. $40 is cheap insurance for piece of mind. Think of the **** you would go through if it were stolen! If you dont want to pay the money dont bring the rig next time.

[Doug33]

As a previous poster mentioned, all state parks are not created equal. Especially from state to state! There are pros and cons (and price variations) to all the many state parks we've stayed at in NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD and a few others I've probably forgotten. Much depends on what you are looking for and who is in your party (little children, older kids, young adults, elderly, pets, multiple families, etc).

[Ron3rd]

rjxj wrote:
Supply/demand

... and free enterprise. Vote with your feet!

[Lauren]

I have read the original and now the "explanation" and still am missing something I guess. Like I said, at least 5 other options with lower prices and higher ratings and, knowing the amenities that KOA is known for - and known to charge for - I guess I do not understand the complaint of the price. It is what the market will bear.

And, having stayed at a logged 175 places, I can pretty much assure everyone that no place is perfect!

[RUSSELL5000]

We have stayed at National Forest, Corp of Engineers, State Park, County Park, private campgrounds other than KOA as well as KOAs. Big variety in every category.

Going to a KOA this weekend - can't wait. Going to a state park on Labor Day - can't wait.

[Desert_Captain]

Lauren wrote:
This is really interesting - there are 6 places listed in RV Park Reviews and ALL have higher ratings and ALL have lower prices. So why did you choose KOA Oh, you wanted a pool but then not happy that it may have cost a few bucks more to stay there!

We have stayed at both Rose Valley and the KOA. Would stay at either one again - and we don't use a pool.

You completely missed my point. :R

Perhaps if you read my post again you would understand:

I am happy to report on our first stay in KOA in years. The last night of our 18 day heat beating trip up through NM and CO found us in Silver City. With very few other options we elected to give a KOA another try.


Note: I stated we had few options, having already checked a couple of the local parks and found them less than desirable. The seriously bad weather was bearing down on us so...

"We elected to give KOA another try". Sounds like an open minded approach to me as we were more than willing to to be proven wrong as to our opinions based upon previous experience. It would be for just one night and we decided to experience all that KOA had to offer and honestly report back here.



My original, primary objection remains, they are ridiculously over priced. Our $47 gravel site was OK, not level enough to run our refrigeration without blocking both front and back wheels. Full hook ups are rare for us but as this was our last night before returning home in the morning the opportunity to thoroughly flush out tanks before leaving was appealing. The restrooms and other standard amenities were good.

Note: My original objection remained, I explained why and went on to say nice things.


The weather was iffy with Monsoon thunderstorms bearing down and the PGA Championship provided entertainment (via the cable tv),when the storms hit with heavy rain, small hail, lots of lightning/thunder. Before the storm rolled in we took a quick dip in the pool (which needs lots of maintenance and another foot of water).


Note: Again an honest objective report of the conditions we encountered. I appreciated the cable service but found the pool in need of work.


The park was virtually empty, no kids, and only half a dozen rigs but lots of amenities for folks traveling with children. The staff was friendly and helpful and this is the first KOA I've encountered that was well off the highway and we have yet to hear any trains.

Note: Another honest report. One of my objections to KOA has always been their orientation towards lots of kids. I don't hate children, (I'm a former child myself), but on this Forum folks are reporting what they find so that others can make an informed
choice. If a lot of kids in an RV Park is not your thing than certainly you should be aware that KOA's will probably not be your cup of tea.

I complimented the staff and pointed out that my previous objections to most KOA's simply did not apply here, this one has an excellent location.

We went back to give them another shot at our business and reported back that I was (at this location) wrong about some things and right about some others. Would we say there again? A definite maybe depending on a lot of factors but now we know what the Silver City KOA does and and does not have to offer. The truth shall set you free. :B

[Lauren]

This is really interesting - there are 6 places listed in RV Park Reviews and ALL have higher ratings and ALL have lower prices. So why did you choose KOA Oh, you wanted a pool but then not happy that it may have cost a few bucks more to stay there!

We have stayed at both Rose Valley and the KOA. Would stay at either one again - and we don't use a pool.

[Jim_Shoe]

For starters, I assume your RV has wheels. And I assume that they told you the price before you paid. There are way more RV parks that aren't KOAs. Move on down the road.
Leaves room for me. I like them.