samstown las vegas

[hermy]

I just became aware from another forum that Samstown in Las Vegas is now a KOA. I'm sorry to hear that. Samstown has been a perfect place for us to stop for a few days both on our way further south and on our return trip later in the spring. We have always felt that it was a decent place at a reasonable price. Now I would expect, with KOA running it the prices will jump considerably. While we have always thought that KOA's are decent, we tire of their constant charging for everything that seems like it should be included. In the end, I suppose that we will continue to stop there because of its location, but we may not stay as long.

[MTPockets1]

We're at Sams Town right now; was told that all new KOA people replaced Sams people Oct 1st, but would continue as Before under Las Vegas KOA at Sams Town. This is a lease arrangement between Sams and KOA, not a franchise. Circus Circus KOA has been bulldozed to prepare for a Rock n Roll venue.

[rware]

Very disappointed when I got an e-mail the other day from KOA saying that the Circus Circus RV park had closed. I always stayed there when I went to Las Vegas. OK it was a glorified parking lot but being able to walk to the strip was the key.

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal a smaller 170 space RV park will open at Circus Circus later this year with improved facilities.

But it will be right next door to the new open air concert venue. :R

I doubt it will be KOA as they are saying that Sam's Town is now their exclusive home in Las Vegas.

[time2roll]

Last time through I was at Arizona Charlie's instead of Sam's Town.
I have nothing against KOA but for the money I usually camp elsewhere.

[PotKorn]

According to an item in RVBusiness, the KOA location behind Circus Circus is being converted to an outdoor concert venue, and will host its first big event next May. As mentioned above, the Sam's Town campground converted to a KOA effective today. Their website says that the "new" KOA will actually consist of two campgrounds, but I couldn't see a second one when I looked at a fairly close-up satellite view of the area.

[mikim]

Here is a press release from KOA. Apparently Circus Circus is going to redevelop the land where the Campground was.

One of the largest and most well-known RV parks in the Las Vegas Valley, the Sam's Town RV Park will be renamed the Las Vegas KOA at Sam's Town and become KOA's exclusive home in Las Vegas starting Oct. 1.

The agreement returns KOA to Boulder Highway, where the company opened the first Las Vegas KOA in 1971. KOA most recently operated the campground adjacent to the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, which is being developed for an alternate use.

[hermy]

I can understand why a casino would sub out their rv park. After all, their real money comes from the gambling and operating the park is just a way to keep people coming in the door. If you can continue to have the park right outside your door without the hassles of actually operating it then why not. So in a way, the gambling was subsidizing the rv park costs. Now KOA, without that subsidizing will put the screws to us.

[leaddog]

I wonder how long it will take to double the daily rate once they get going. That is what happened at the Circus Circus when they took it over many years ago. It went from $22 night to $29 the next day. The last I looked it was over $52/night. The park looked the same last spring as it did in 2002.

[WyoTraveler]

JMHO, after you stay at another RV park on Boulder hwy you'll never miss Sam's Town. I lived in So Ca for years and went to Vegas a lot. Their RV park was going downhill. We stayed there a lot. Then one time they were filled and we went to another RV park. Would never go back. Sam's town area on Boulder Hwy is a fairly high crime area. They were really cutting down on security for the RV park. That is why the office closed early except for Friday nights. Employees were afraid to work the desk after dark.

Arizona Charlies or the RV park on Nellis south of Boulder are much better parks with better security. You will still be able to drive over to Sam's town and stand in their crowded buffet line. You should have seen those lines when there were jobs in Vegas. :B . Or go to the Cannery and enjoy a much better buffet or enjoy a nice quiet buffet at Az Charlies with almost no line and good service. (minimal food selection). Some good steak dinners further south on Boulder hwy.

If KOA updates the RV park and puts in better security it will be a better park.

[rv2go]

Being curious, I tried the KOA website to see what the new rates will be. No internet reservations yet. If what happen when KOA took over Circus Circus, I would think the rates might double by the time they get thru charging for ever thing.
Several good options just down the road.

[imgoin4it]

I do not know why ant casino would go the KOA route, but the AVI casino in the Laughlin area did the same years ago. We stayed they before and after they became a "KOA" and not one thing changed. Same price, same rules, same people, and the people all work for AVI. same everything except for the sign out front. BTW we used to stay at Sam's Town and the least several years have been staying at Arizona Charlie's which is 2 or 3 blocks down the street.