KOA's in General

[floridacamper]

Haven't stayed in too may KOA's actually the only one I can think of is the one that's in Townsend TN. We usually try to stay in State parks cause we like the nature part of them but we are planning our longest trip yet up to Yellowstone next May and will need some RV parks just for the night. I was wondering how your experience has been with them. I see that they can get pricey which is a downer but other than that they look decent. Can you elaborate on your experiences? Thank You

[jmckelvy]

ScottG wrote:
I dont think you can geerlize KOA's. There are some super nice parks and then there are the ones we have in Washington state..

We have stayed in the KOA in Winthrop several times. Thought it was quite nice and of the several dozen KOAs we have stayed in over the years, it is the only one NOT close to an interstate hwy, railroad, or airport.

[Padlin]

We only use them when we can't find a State Park or similar and Wally World won't do cause you want hookups or quiet. Of the handful we've stayed in they have been fine for the night, but then it's off season. They are about the only thing open year round in the north which is when we've been doing some long distance traveling. Can't recall using one during the regular camping season.

There are some decent small town parks if you look for such, especially if you can take the time to use secondary highways.

[dodge_guy]

MetalGator wrote:
I like KOAs because you pretty much know what you are getting. Yes, some are rather pricey and then some are very reasonably priced. The KOA rewards program is worth the $30. I basically save over $30 after two trips. Then every once in awhile I get basically a free night from the points. I am basically a weekend warrior so our stays are usually short to check out a new area when I'm not staying at the park for long periods of time.

That's called a pyramid scheme! :B

[MetalGator]

I like KOAs because you pretty much know what you are getting. Yes, some are rather pricey and then some are very reasonably priced. The KOA rewards program is worth the $30. I basically save over $30 after two trips. Then every once in awhile I get basically a free night from the points. I am basically a weekend warrior so our stays are usually short to check out a new area when I'm not staying at the park for long periods of time.

[Drbolasky]

KOA's are always in the 'mix' for us even though the kids are gone. Like others have said - no different than any other parks so doing your homework is critical. Go to rvparkreviews.com and ask questions here. Don't be fooled by ads.

As it happens, our "home" campground is a KOA. Run by great people who are actively managing their own business. I try to avoid corporate-owned campgrounds if I can.

[dodge_guy]

Yep. check all reviews for the one you want. you`ll have a 50/50 shot of liking it or not.

Good luck!

[floridacamper]

Wow thanks for the replies, sounds as tho Ill just have to decide on them myself. I thank you all who replied.

[Campfire_Time]

KOAs are the campground equivalent to Super 8 motels. Some are outstanding, many are so-so. A few are outright dumps. Our experience with KOA in over 30 years of camping is that there is little consistency save for an excellent reservation system. We will use them for an over nighter on a long trip, but unless one has rave reviews we do not use them as a destination CG.

[myredracer]

Most of them seem to be decent but once in a while there is a bad one. One in Oregon kept flooding in the central shower building with up to an inch of water that was like that the entire weekend we were there. One in Ca. was one of the worst CGs we've ever been in. A few of them are excellent like Lynden, Wa. and Petaluma, Ca. If you're considering one, check out rvparkreviews.com to see if it's one you should avoid. They're not all the same for sure. We only use them on a road trip if that's what works out on a route, otherwise we use Thousand Trails.

KOA has the same problems as other non-membership CGs and the general public doesn't have the etiquette like RV-ers and you'll get speeders, noise, drinking, people walking through your site and other obnoxious behaviour.

Undercover Boss had an episode on KOA a few years ago and they cherry picked the nice ones to feature. Didn't even come close to what many of them are like.

[jnharley]

KOAs would be our last choice with Passport America/state parks being our first choice. To us, KOAs are way overpriced and just not that nice.

[Veebyes]

KOA. The 3 letters people love to hate. They are quite consistent. Mostly convenient to a major highway. Have the stuff kids want. Are predictably more expensive than anything else in the area. Must be doing something right because they almost always seem to have good occupancy levels.

[ScottG]

I dont think you can geerlize KOA's. There are some super nice parks and then there are the ones we have in Washington state..

[ReneeG]

I would highly recommend the West Glacier KOA Holiday. Beautiful place, huge, great staff, very clean, and very nice amenities.

[jamesu]

On last month's trip to the Dakotas we stayed at several KOA's enroute. The one in Billings, MT is the original KOA and it's a masterpiece. Will gladly stay there in the future. The KOA in Miles City: management was nice and accommodating but the campground is on the other side of the tracks and park itself just did not "feel" secure with a city access road and city dump trucks loading up dirt right there. Kind of a creepy place. The KOA just south of Livingston, MT: Yes, even though you're packed in like sardines. Beautiful location on the Yelliwstone R.

Quite a variety within KOA so I guess you just never know when you're out on the road.