Camping at KOA

Cyclonic

Making me do moderator type work

This discussion was created from comments split from: Post up some shots of your T@B set-up at the camp site!.

Cyclonic

SweetlyHome said:

Cyclonic's post reminded me of this and had to post.  Sometimes you just have to do the KOA for that quick stop and be T@B strong amongst the crowd. In Cartersville GA

Actually, for the most part, I have liked the KOA's I have stayed at, the people are nice and they usually have very nice amenities.  This one was very well kept, and the only thing holding it back from being one of the best I have been to is how close to the highway it was.

SweetlyHome

Cyclonic said:

SweetlyHome said:

Cyclonic's post reminded me of this and had to post.  Sometimes you just have to do the KOA for that quick stop and be T@B strong amongst the crowd. In Cartersville GA

Actually, for the most part, I have liked the KOA's I have stayed at, the people are nice and they usually have very nice amenities.  This one was very well kept, and the only thing holding it back from being one of the best I have been to is how close to the highway it was.

I did not intend to imply anything negative about our KOA experiences.  We agree word for word with you about KOA's.  We stay frequently for overnights along the way as they are easy in and out, and have power for the AC.   It was still over 80 when we went to bed that night and really needed it.

Mouseketab

I too often frequent KOAs for overnight stops. As others say, easy in and out, decent level pullthroughs, 30 Amp plug, and often have good laundry facilities (needed when on an extended trip at State Parks, etc.). Easy late night arrival, can book online.

Cyclonic

For the most part I have had very good KOA experiences.  There was that one North of St Louis that was not at all nice, but all the others have been some of the best private campgrounds I have been to.  Usually decent, clean showerhouses (one outside Dayton had TV's in the showerhouse), level sites, good location for traveling.  We will be staying in several on this trip, including several days in one near Six Flags St Louis (not the same one).

Photomom

A couple years ago, before we had our T@B, we rented a Kamping Kabin at the Erie PA KOA for a weekend while visiting Presque Isle. The facility was nice, clean, and friendly, and we were impressed by the off leash dog play yard. We'd definitely go there again. I had sought out online reviews ahead of time and I think that's the key to a good camping experience, KOA or not.

RZRBUG

I find most KOA campgrounds to be a little old, but generally clean.  They are my go-to if I'm caught out needing a place stay that I haven't had time to check out.  Late arrival generally allows self-check-in.  Saved my bacon in Tucumcari, NM, on my way home from Quartzsite with snow coming down in January.

Verna

I will stay at KOA's because I know what to expect, and I feel safe. As Larry says, they might be older and dated, but they are clean. If there is a problem, it is taken care of.  On my last tent camping trip, I tent camped only twice (one a KOA), but then I made use of the KOA cabins across the Northern Plains. 

And, I have noticed that some KOA's are updating their bathrooms with ceramic tiles and updated fixtures. I recommend the Shreveport KOA during periods of high water because they are on high ground, they are quiet, a large dog run and friendly staff. The Durango KOA has a two dog runs--one for large dogs, one for small dogs. 

ronin718

We've stayed at three KOAs so far in our T@Bbing adventures (Jonestown, PA; Lynchburg and Charlottesville, VA) and have been pretty happy with them.  I tend to check out the non-KOA reviews on potential locations before I book so I can test the waters for staff, cleanliness, amenities, and site conditions.  We're doing another one this fall at Staunton, VA so we can enjoy the colors of the Shenandoahs.

SweetlyHome

Cyclonic said:

Making me do moderator type work This discussion was created from comments split from: Post up some shots of your T@B set-up at the camp site!.

Thanks for splitting this topic. 

wanderingchickof66

Ronin718:  I stayed at the Staunton, VA, KOA several times on my way to Tennessee. In Feb this year waited out a snowstorm. Lots to do in Staunton--Woodrow Wilson Library and also the Frontier Museum which was fun. Did that this June--not in the snowstorm;)

Playc

Need advice.  Never been to a KOA.  Plan to visit Lake Livingston TX in September.  TX state parks is under renovation till 1/2017 so KOA is the other choice.  Tried to call their phone number no success.

Like to join KOA membership but need to learn from you all.  TIA 

Veronica

I love KOAs too.  When I was growing up and on an RV trip with my family, they were a great big yellow beacon for clean and decent campgrounds (usually with a pool and/or play area).  As an adult, I still find the KOAs are clean and safe.  I don't go out of my way to stay at one, but if it's on the route, I try to end up at one (unless the reviews for it are hideous). I don't know about the club membership, my dad always had Good Sam Club. That's what I have now.  Also, Playc, if they aren't answering they may be crazy busy or the campground may be filled up.  Happy traveling. 

Verna

I like KOA's while traveling. They are predictable, I feel safe as a solo traveler and they will do everything in their power to make you happy. Sure they are a bit more expensive than state parks, but state parks here in Indiana rarely have water spigots at each campsite and KOA even have water at tent sites.  I highly recommend keeping your membership for the 10% discount. But, I don't  necessarily renew on the anniversary. I wait until I get to the first KOA I camp at after the membership expires. You still get your discount, but you're not paying for times when you may not use it for a year or so. 

Individual ones that I have stayed at:
Deadwood, SD --this is definitely on the side of a hill, sort of terraced levels, but I was staying in one of the Kabins. It was like being in a treehouse because the Kabins were built on stilts and the decks were in the pine trees..The restrooms were individual bathrooms that were in a prefabricated building. Very nice. Be sure to set your parking brake and give your chocks an extra kick while camping here. One if my favorites
Durango, CO (you can't always get into the lesser expensive state and national forest sites)--because of the large campsites, it almost feels like your 're in a woods; one of my favorites
West Yellowstone (my older sister just stayed there and actually came out of her RV to talk to other Camper's!);
there is one on the Smokies, I can't remember the name, but I was tent camping with my sister and the sites were so secluded from each other--very nice. Cherokee, TN,..  that might be where it was. 
The Shreveport, LA KOA is simple, lots of RV monsters, but has upgraded their bathroom facilities and is OK for being crowded, but it is on high ground and if you're around during flood season, it's a good place to stay.
Abilene, TX is good, but watch it in case of heavy rain. Another one with newer upgraded bathrooms, and has a good laundry. 
Las Cruces, NM is on the side of a hill, nice, but for some reason the other Camper's weren't friendly. Of course it was cool outside, but they all stayed inside and when outside, they weren't talkative. The restrooms were dated but clean. 
There is a KOA in Mississippi that is in the piney woods, has secluded campsites and is wonderful. I 'll have to look it up because it was a good one. 
Benson, AZ--not my favorite, but it will do if the state parks and BLM campsites are full. Very dated facilities. You are not allowed to place tent stakes for your visor or awning. 

Allie

On a recent trip, I stayed at a KOA in Tucumcari, NM.  Nice, easy to get to from the highway, AND they also delivered breakfast/dinner to your camper.  Nice little perk.  Only one KOA was not what I expected, but they did have ducks greet you when you came out your door, so all is forgiven.

ericnliz

Stayed at the one at Cascade Locks in Oregon. Very nice, good amenities and nice folks. Good central location for lots of good site seeing. Nice pool, hot tub, bathrooms, and full hookups. 

Ratkity

KOAs are always great for the first of the season camper shakedowns. They usually are crowded, zombies abound, but it's always nice to be able to have people knowledgeable about the area if you have a problem.

jkjenn

I have had 2 drastically different experiences. The first was bad. It was on the north side of Louisville. It was July, steamy, and I had a wedding, and therefore needed a/c and to be close. It met those basic requirements. I paid a fortune and had RVs less than 20 feet on either side of my T@b. The train scared me to death and kept me up most of the night.

The second experience was at the Ouray KOA. It was a very nice facility with more space and great BBQ dinners.

RZRBUG

Allie said:

On a recent trip, I stayed at a KOA in Tucumcari, NM.  Nice, easy to get to from the highway, AND they also delivered breakfast/dinner to your camper.  Nice little perk.  Only one KOA was not what I expected, but they did have ducks greet you when you came out your door, so all is forgiven.

That's the one I stayed at in January.  Office was closed when I got there and was still closed when I left, trying to beat the snow.  Difficult for me to give an evaluation of the facilities because I never saw them.  The electricity worked so I could run my little heater, and I got about five hours of sleep, which is all I was looking for.

Fergie

Just got back to Minnesota from a 3600 mile round trip visiting relatives back east in Upstate NY and Massachusetts. Our first real trip with our T@B and I would call it a great success! Will post more later on some of our modifications now that we have had experience with them. On our way out and on our way back we stayed at a beautiful family oriented KOA on the east side of Lake Chautauqua in Western New York State. It wasn't cheap, but clean and wonderful views of the lake in many campsites as the whole camp is located on a hill overlooking the lake. Also very nice showers, laundry rooms, etc. As with another campsite where we stayed near the Illinois/Iowa boarder, a staff member on a golf cart leads you through the rather large facility to your site and answers any questions about your hook ups.

gophergrad

The KOA in Missoula MT is very near the freeway and all the local box stores, but tucked back behind.  The one in Polson MT is also nice -- has lake views, good amenities -- and it behind a giant fancy members-only RV park.