From 1963 to 1978, my family 'wore out' a 1963 International Travelall, driving all over the USA. I remember mom and Dad shaking their heads at the new KOA parks: in nice, wooded areas, they came in an leveled every tree in the place.  In replacement to these mighty oaks with scenery-value, they put in little $2 whispy sticks.

Many years and a great many road stripes have gone by; does anyone know how they look, today?  I can't remember the last time I *saw* a KOA, but I suspect 1978.  Did they ever grow back and look nice again?

I can't say that I'm a huge fan of KOAs.  We have stayed at a couple nice ones on our travels (Devils Tower and one in Tennessee).  Our last night on the road we stayed at a KOA near Niagra Falls, NY.  It was the most cramped site we ever stayed in and the most expensive ($65-70/night).  If we hadn't left our site before our neighbors, we would have had to pull in our slide so the neighbors could leave their site.

-Colleen

We've stayed at KOAs that compete with some of the best RV resorts and we've stayed at some that compete with the worst RV resorts.

Most have tree sections with mature trees and then an overflow area which is just a large expanse of grass. Many have begun adding cabins for rent and they still cater to tents as well as RVs. Some have a section for long term residents.

As RV parks go, the KOAs are usually higher priced. Most still have the 60's campground style to them (dirt or grass sites with closely space RV spots). The amenities are typically a store/office, restrooms with showers, older pool, gameroom and propane....

We always considered them as a stopover RV park on our way to somewhere else.

There are KOAs located outside of most National Parks, so some RV'ers will stay at KOAs and travel into the park for day trips.

One of the nicest KOAs we stayed at is next to the LA County Fairgrounds in San Dimas, CA.  I would rate it at a 3 out of 5.... due to ants, really bad ant problem. We stayed there for 21 days during the county fair and fought ants every night when we got back to the 5th wheel.   The park is nice with big shady trees, good roads and gravel sites.  The facilities are well maintained and the staff is nice.

 

-- Edited by thebearII on Monday 24th of August 2009 09:31:46 AM

-- Edited by thebearII on Monday 24th of August 2009 09:34:34 AM

Hmm. Seems like the original idea of the 60's KOA has fallen on hard times. I don't know the management scheme there; I thought I heard they were once franchised, rather than a single company, managing them all. But clearly the idea of a more consistent camping experience just hasn't panned out.

I hate to see any business fail or merely fall; KOA is no exception. Understand, I don't know anyone there- just like my love affair with Holiday Inns of long ago. But that's another discussion entirely, isn't it?

Does anyone see any movement in the campgrounds-as-a-chain direction these days? Part of my 'glory days' in the back of the Travelall saw a time before Holiday Inns; one day they were everywhere. I now understand they were the first. So it makes me wonder if a 'contender' is in the works, and who that might be...


-- Edited by WheelDweller on Monday 24th of August 2009 01:03:58 PM

KOA is still a valid business system, there are new KOAs and the company is still offering new franchises. Checkout their website, you can select a location and the site will send you to the campgrounds website. http://koa.com/ They have a workkamper program with a dedicated website for finding jobs at KOAs. Like other private campgrounds, they are only as good as their management team. We stay at a campground where the rate is $65 per night, there are other campgrounds in the area, including a KOA. These other campgrounds might be less expensive, but the campground we stay at is a 5 out of 5 and in a great location, so it's worth the extra $10 or $20 per night. Others must feel the same because there are rarely empty spaces during the summer. If you run across a KOA, drive through it and take a look before eliminating it as a stopping spot. You might be surprised and find a real gem.

I remember staying in KOA,s 20 years ago, for the most part they where neat and clean. I also remember some of the sites being roomy. We would stay at them if we had a few extra bucks, and wanted a good shower. It sounds like they have changed a bit over the last 20 years. G

We go to the KOA in Harper Ferry WV a couple times each summer... It is a nice place for my grandson, great pool, and kids play area.. they have theme weekends... Close to the. river so you can go to the outfitters if you want to tube.. I find it very tight with not much space between campsites.....They have an outside sink area for washing dishes with hot water which I love..patti

My DW and her family went from the midwest in the late 60's to the west coast and stayed exclusively in KOA's on their trip. She tells me now that they have changed drastically for the worse. The prices are outrageous and the ambiance is lousy and that is her expert opinion of someone who has camped for 40 plus years with family and friends.

I don't recall ever staying at a KOA, but there is one that doesn't look bad in Eureka, MO, near St. Louis. It doesn't look bad from the street, and has some nice size trees towards the back. I haven't stayed there or even driven through it, so I can't tell you more than my observance from the street. Jeff

We stopped staying at the KOA's when they priced themselves past their amenities. Most of the KOA's that we have stayed at were way over priced. We have found much better campgrounds for much less most everywhere we have traveled. The last KOA we stopped at was in Abilene Texas not too long ago. We only stopped there because we were tired and really needed to get off the road. The lady at the desk was upset with us for not making reservatioins?? What was that all about. We stop on the road all the time at many parks without reservations and are never scolded for that oversite. KOA is on the way out as far as the campers dream parks go.

Like you Joe, we hardly ever stay at a KOA's anymore. Not only are they always overpriced, but often they are older parks with small sites and narrow roads. Also we have found, they are often heavily treed and we have difficulty getting satellite reception.

I, too, saw much of the US from an International Travelall, sometimes from the backseat but often from the front, where I was my Dad's co-pilot and map-reader.  (Mom preferred to nap through the mountains...)  We stayed at some KOA's back then and I guess they were okay.  I do remember photographing some ducks and then being chased by them at one....ahem...

Of course, Dave and I aren't full-timers yet, but we are headed to the Rusk KOA this coming Saturday to spend Thanksgiving week.  We really like this park; the owners took it over about 3 years ago and have made many improvements.  It is clean, large sites, fire rings, patios and tables, trees, all lights are low to the ground so one can actually enjoy stargazing.  The restrooms/showers are immaculate as is the swimming pool, and the WiFi is strong and consistent.

I stayed there solo in May, having gone to be with my cousin as she was passing.  There weren't many park choices in the area, especially considering I would be alone.  Wanted a bit of safety comfort zone.  Upon arriving, I learned my cousin had passed as I was on the road.  The folks at the park were very nice, brought me home-made breakfast the next day, knew when I needed a hug, etc.  Left the TT there as I had to return to work for a couple of days and needed to pick up Dave so he could attend the funeral with me.  They did not charge me for one of the nights.  The owners live on-site and, along with the rest of the staff, are friendly and helpful.  Just like neighbors.

We were back over July 4th, meeting up with family and friends in the area.  This will be our third trip back there.  Dave loves the area for cycling and I like the small-town atmosphere and trees. 

This KOA, with my ValueKard, is actually less expensive than a park with absolutely NO amenities we recently stayed at to attend a cycling function (even with our Good Sam discount). 

They all differ, just like anything else.  We're looking forward to going back to "our" site for a week soon! 



-- Edited by TxYellowRose on Monday 16th of November 2009 08:34:45 AM

Our KOA membership came with our Allstate Emergency Service Plan (inexpensive and good, BTW) and we use it often here in the western states. As earlier poster said, the KOAs are as good as the management allows.
We like them generally. Some new, some old, but generally clean and the facilities work. Some are quite nice. True they are bit overpriced at times, but with discounts they come out to about the same as any decent RV park. Can't think of a bad KOA in Utah, Nevada or Wyoming (well, maybe one or two).  My wife insists on CLEAN when we stop and most KOAs we've stayed in fit the bill. Around here the good KOAs (in our opinion, of course)..Lyman, WY (not Rock Springs), Cortez CO, Ely NV, all in Utah seem to be in good shape.

-- Edited by ramblemutt on Wednesday 25th of November 2009 10:15:21 AM

So it sounds like you've had a good sample of the modern KOA...

Do they now seem 'legacy', or did they think dropping all the trees and starting over in 1990 was a better idea?  :)  I'd like to think that chopping in the 70's has grown back by now...

I'm fascinated with odd things; things like design goals. Many times I see a computer case or RV and think, "Clearly, they thought this design through." or sometimes "What were they THINKING?"  (See also: Seude shoes)

Seeing how management does their job is one of those designs. I've seen managements do silly things, but cutting down most of the trees and then waiting a decade or two for RVers that prefer shade seemed kinda suicidal, ya know?

i absolutely love KOA'S and try to stay in nothing else i love them!!!!! ive stayed in one good sam park and probably wouldnt go back unless i fell asleep on the way out of florida and so happened to wake up in the park again it was in yulee florida!!! there wi-fi has been out since the begining of time i do have to say i was in the keys last week and stayed at the KOA in summerland key it was sugarloaf KOA i absolutely love it as i said we were there last week went to stay for a weekend and left 15 days later i went home and missed it like crazy sooooo we came back to the keys this weekend not to mention the idler flew off on the turnpike snapped all the belts and had to have it towed off for close to $500 we finally made it to the keys and went to the same KOA only to find out it is closed this weekend to the public due to a N/A retreat so we are staying at boyds rv park in keywest i am absolutely not caring for it at all!!!! needless to say i will never be staying here again if it cannot be sugarloaf KOA in the keys then we will not be going to the keys that weekend!!!! oh well theres always next weekend to stay at the KOA in sugarloaf!!! as well as the KOA workers thjere absolutely loved my family as we loved them!!! what a great staff!!!

I went out to the trailer, today. Mom's feet are cold all the time, and she suggested the older, hand-made blankets might be out there. They were made from upholstery material back in the 40's and 50's. I'm surprised they're still around! Spending that time in the trailer made me want it even more. Sure, the shower has MANY man-hours to complete, the vinyl job needs patching, the workstation's not quite done and let's not even start on the fridge and batteries. But like you, I felt that urge. (!) I really miss just being OUT there, much less on the road and going places. I've not posted a lot around here lately; the day-to-day has been keeping me busy...and when you're as penniless as I am, it also serves as a reminder as to just how far away from the road you are. You mentioned the Keys; of all the trips to Florida, I think the keys were the essence of it all. You can't learn about Florida from Talahassee; that city is (or at least was) just like every other city in America. But towards the keys, the realization was that this are was something different; something unlike the core. And what's not to like about the keys, unless there's a hurricane? :) The "KOA KAMP" work; is that a part-time management thing? It sounds familiar...

That would be cool; I'd like to think I'd be able to roam across America doing this kind of thing. Do you know who to contact for doing this?

WheelDweller,

Check out http://workatkoa.com

I have stayed at two KOA's so far and the price was a little steep but they were nice sites and the customer service has been excellent. My next trip I plan on going to Raton, New Mexico and I will try another campground.

-- Edited by Colorado_Kid on Friday 14th of May 2010 02:28:38 PM

love raton ... but for me it is the beginning of the entrance to the rockies... and yes I am from texas...

-- Edited by heyduke on Wednesday 19th of May 2010 03:42:11 PM

Colorado_Kid wrote:

---

I have stayed at two KOA's so far and the price was a little steep but they were nice sites and the customer service has been excellent. My next trip I plan on going to Raton, New Mexico and I will try another campground.

-- Edited by Colorado_Kid on Friday 14th of May 2010 02:28:38 PM

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Be sure to check out RVparkreviews.com before you go to Raton.  The one up at the pass is way difficult to get into (and out of). 

 

Are you talking about Cedar Rail? I have looked at that and have heard mixed reviews. The other two I have looked at is Summerlan and Kickback but I noticed that Kickback is no longer on the Good Sam Club program.