KOA, Good or Bad? Options

[DrSus]

As most reviewers have noted, KOA's are a mixed bag -- some good, some bad. We have come to rely on them when we are in an unknown area and have to choose between a KOA and another campground with similar ratings in Trailer Life. Now that we have discovered rvparkreviews, we have another good resource for recommendations, and we will be consulting it frequently. KOA's right off the interstate have been our best bets for quick overnights in a pull through site so that we don't have to disconnect our towed vehicle. As we are two adults with no children in tow, some of the recreational amenities in KOA's just don't matter. But several have offered some of our favorite options: cable TV, WI-FI (free at some), good satellite reception and good cell phone reception. We love the technology perks and never use the pools or game rooms.

[John Blue]

Over the past years we have only found two KOA's in US that we like. The other KOA campgrounds were very poor to me. Most need a lot of rework to get up to 2005 standards. You find sites that only have 30 amps if it works, bad water, very small sites, poor WiFi that is good in the office only, very old buildings, pot holes, next to interstate for noise, and dust every place. Couple were so bad we drove in and out the other side and left. KOA was very good in the tent days. You did not receive much and they did not charge you much. That is over, now you pay for everything. We only use site to sleep in and $50 per night is high. I dropped our KOA card and will not renew it.

People need to read the write up from Carol Linde owner of Billings KOA over the "RV road trash" who park free in Billings. We will never return to her campgrounds or Billings again. What a joke!

[Butch]

Our experiences with KOA campgrounds run the full gamut from good to very poor. As a gold card camper, we stay in KOA frequently. The best one we have found is the KOA at Wilmington/Lake placid, in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. But this campground also has it's problems. I'll list a few: lack of escort to assigned site, as the layout of the campground can be confusing to the first timer. Lack of rule enforcement unless it is to the owners benefit. Enforcement is required to protect all users of the property, as to safety, and the assurance to provide a positive & enjoyable stay. The reservation policy is now (fall of 2005) out of hand. The owners are now accepting reservation for the 2007 camping season. The reservations were being accepted during the 2005 camping season. This is nonsense, almost two years in advance. We have used this establishment five to six times a year for the last ten years, but has reached the point where we are looking for another campground.
The KOA at Cooperstown NY leaves a lot to be desired, water dirty and discolored, pull through sites short, overhead branches need trimming, some of the sites are not level, would only stay here again only in a pinch.
The KOA at Saugerties/Woodstock (New York) is about in the same category, sites short, poorly drained, water pressure is very low, but does have a small pool.
The KOA at Canaan/Skowhegan Maine, is not to bad, but has some unlevel short sites, also has a pool. I do feel they are all over priced but that is KOA for you!!

[jensjems]

We are new Rver's, sold everything and went full time right off since June 2005 - left Las Vegas, NV and our first stop not knowing where to stay, but thanks to the highway sign was at Flagstaff, AZ KOA: a large park very much more of a CG to us than the RV Parks. They signed us up as KOA members. Showed us how to use their book and web site - we woke the next morning to the most refreshing quiet, cool temps., clean air and we were sold on using KOA's - - We are wintering right now at Starke, FL KOA & it is Super Fantastic - We have a Class C 30 ft. and have already traveled 19 states. We have stayed in 21 different KOA's returning to several as we went back through. With the exception of one all were well maintained, clean, quiet, convienent with friendly staffs. We also along the way have stayed at non-franchise rated by Good Sams, Wheelers, Trailer Life and info from different RV forums. Both times I used Wheelers we ran into dirty trashy parks that did not deserve the ratings they had listed, made me wonder who gave Wheelers the info as I don't think Wheelers would just print anything. Much better luck with Good Sams, Trailer Life and forums. I keep a file with the map/info from each RV park we stay at and make notes on them as to what we liked, names of staff and other campers we meet. As for price I research each park along the highways we are traveling & use their listed rates (not necessarily what we have paid, usually less) as my quideline for laying out our driving schedule - rates compaired to motels/hotels/eating all meals out and the KOA's are within line of all other CG's and RV parks. I found if we stay just outside the cities the rates are lower and we are still within the area. Nothing in life is perfect and when we travel we can now have our home with us and what few little things along the way that are just not as nice as we think they should be are not that earth shattering - enjoy the view!!

[Beastdriver]

jensjems:

Welcome to this site and welcome to the world of RV'ing. I found your comments about KOAs most interesting. We've been doing this for several years and, during that time, have had literally hundreds of conversations about KOA with full-timers and almost full-timers. Most, but not all, feel that many KOAs, and the KOA chain as a whole, is analagous to K-Mart. Tired, outdated, not much spent to modernize, overpriced in relation to other "discount" stores, being poorly lighted and poorly stocked, and, in general, not a good place to go anymore, although it used to be. We have stayed at a few KOAs that are excellent (Petoskey, Michigan, for example), but most of those where we have stayed are second rate with ridiculously high prices for what you get. Perhaps you've just been very lucky in your choice of places, and we've been very unlucky. Still, I find that, almost without fail, this site will forewarn me of KOAs to avoid (most of them) and, whenever I get a real KOA dump, it's because I didn't pay heed to those comments on this site. Anyway, again, welcome!

[Cheryl]

Beastdriver,
Since you seemed to take great delight in correcting my spelling error, I thought I would return the favor - it's analogous, not analagous.

[Beastdriver]

Cheryl: Thank you for the correction. May I quote your post of four days ago?

"And I'll say it again. I NEVER corrected anyone's spelling but my own. I don't deliberately launch attacks against other posters."---Cheryl

Ain't total computer recall grand?

Have a nice day.

[sbryant6]

We like the KOA's for the cleanliness of the facilities. It seems to be consistent for us from KOA to KOA. Not all KOA's are as equipped as others. The ones that have the "Kamping Kottages" (marked in blue on their map) seem to have more amenities.
http://www.koa.com/where/usa.htm

[Cheryl]

At that point in time, I hadn't corrected anyone's mistake. And I still haven't launched any personal attacks, as I said, I was just returning the favor. Can you say the same?

[genestoy]

Now children! Take a deep breath--the holiday's are upon us!

[Beastdriver]

Genestoy: Thanks for the humor.

Cheryl's problem is that she operates with a double standard. On August 11th, she said, and I quote, "Please don't feel the need to apologize about any spelling/grammatical errors. Most of us don't care about things like that as long we can read/understand the post."

Earlier, on June 28th, she said, and I quote, "I certainly wouldn't criticize anyone when I don't claim to be perfect myself." Then she turns right around and does exactly what she said she would not do.

I'm sure she is a perfectly nice lady but, when she criticizes, it's simply doing you a favor; when you respond, it's a "personal attack." As I said earlier, you have to be like a duck in water and let it run off your back, not taking it personally. Obviously, she cannot do this because she is "being personally attacked." Sad. But you are correct, Genestoy, it's time to get off of it, and I won't dignify any more of her criticism and paranoia by responding. The folks who read this site are intelligent enough to understand what's going on with this lady.

[Cheryl]

I do not operate on a double standard and I don't criticize on here either, I leave that up to you.

I asked for spellcheck, for myself, when the webmasters asked for suggestion for this site. You turned it into an issue with your post:

As you often remind readers of this site, PLEASE use spell check. Diesel is spelled DIE not DEI.

Here's another example.

Depending on Trailer Life and Woodalls. I think I had rather have hemmoroids. Did I spell that right, Cheryl?

Other than last Wednesday, when have I ever corrected your spelling? Seems to me you are the one suffering from paranoia.

[danshula]

Hi,
KOA is more of a family oriented C.G and they are more expensive than others in the same area.
If you have young kids with you, it is the place for you, if you are looking to relax and not have all the commotion around you, don't go there.

[Everafter Camper]

Hello everyone, I'm going to try and fumble my way through this. Pretty new at this. Just purchased our Travel Trailer in 2005 and have been on 3 trips. I really love the places we've been and my favorite was the KOA in Maderia Beach / St Pete, FL. Staff was great, location fun and beach nearby. Sites were ok. Lots to do for families. The price is a little high but I really think they were worth it. We stayed there for Christmas 2005. They received the KOA president's award. Restrooms are spotless. Also, I'm planning a trip in 3/06 to Rock Crusher Canyon in Crystal River, FL, was wondering if anyone had any updated reviews for this park.

[Dogbone]

I am with the majoroty here, I stay at them as a last resort, I find them over priced, most times there are campsites very nearby at less the price and the same quality.