Community Forums

hit the road · 07-17-2012, 06:23 PM

My husband and I have just started full timing 3 weeks ago and have been to quite a few campgrounds on our way from south fl to cleveland ohio. We have been to two Koa cg's which went out of their way to help us. They personally escorted us to our site, made sure everything was ok. The facilities were super clean and the price was decent, I had bought a value card online and saved 10%. The sites are huge and accomodates our 40 ft. motorhome and our attached cargo trailer with our car in it. This way we never have to unhook. I look for these sites on line before we get to a destination, and boy is it wonderful to have the internet working for you. Both Koa's had free wifi and the service was pretty good. All sites in most of the koa's are at least 65 to 70 feet long or more, so I don't have to worry about the length and also they have open areas so we can use our satillite dish. I haven't been disappointed at all. I am probably going to go to a koa in harrisburg pa and also in pittsburgh pa on our way to cleveland, they are always located in pretty spots a little off the highway. I will keep you informed along the way. So far I like this lifestyle.

Mr_D · 07-17-2012, 06:37 PM

Your experiences with KOA are directly opposite what we and lots of other RV'ers have reported.

Last one we were at was close to $100 a night, but that did include the mandatory bracelets for the "free" breakfast. The only reason we did it was for the grandkids. Spot was barely wide enough for our slideouts, trees scratched the sides and had to park the Ody sideways to stay in the limits.

Stayed at the one in West Yellowstone some years ago. Coldn't even stay outside around a campfire as the mosquitos were so bad. Friend with us paid extra for his kids for the use of the "amenities", then when the kids tried to use the swimming pool they were kicked out as kids were prohibited in the pool.

jzick · 07-17-2012, 06:43 PM

We have been in a few decent koa campgrounds, although I must say most of those we have been to are average at best with many really bad ones. Itt has been a long time since I have heard koa pricing called decent. But, hey, glad you are pleased with where you have stayed. Enjoy.

Perry White · 07-17-2012, 06:52 PM

Last time I was in a KOA was that dump in Nashville Tenn. Had to put jacks on boards to level and the guy next store decided to smoke meat and his pit bulls scratched the side out of my coach trying to get my Poodles. They were on about 25ft chains and they were gone half the time. You get a bad taste and never want to do it again.

Plus it was around 60 bucks a night.

cutrell01 · 07-17-2012, 06:54 PM

You will eventually find that all KOAs are not the same. Many are in very bad shape, are old, not taken care of and have higher prices than other, better campgrounds. You have just been lucky to have found a few good ones. We only use KOA for one night stays when traveling and they are close to interstates. Some are nice BUT several are not.

Wayne M · 07-17-2012, 07:03 PM

We have had the bad and the good, or the good and the bad. All in all KOA has worked for us. I do find most of their prices on the higher side of average.

Gadget63 · 07-17-2012, 07:19 PM

We just came off a 37 day road trip cross country and almost every stay was in a KOA and although I found a few to be pricey, they were for the most part quite good. I have been to a few CG Good Sam rated and will never go back to them. I guess just do your homework on the internet and read the user reviews.
P.S. The KOA in Nashville was in our opinion a very nice CG. We intend to go back there in a few weeks with the grand kids.

demoon · 07-17-2012, 08:19 PM

Choosing a campground, no matter how good your research or what your info sources is still a crap shoot. You're going to get places you love and others will hate, and just the other way around. KOAs will probably fair no better or no worse than other private parks. What makes a good campground is so subjective that choosing one will never be an exact science. Go with the flow. Enjoy the life.

daveshan · 07-17-2012, 09:02 PM

Only stayed at 2 KOAs, both were exceptional. My expectations are clean and well maintained, good power, water, enough room and nice staff. The last one I showed up with a toad and 3 dogs, no upcharges at all, don't know about the first one, I was traveling solo with no toad.

Having read the stories here I'm sure that I'll run into a different experience eventually. They're a franchise, so things vary widely.

whem2fish · 07-18-2012, 05:24 AM

I full timed at DFW koa $425 plus elect great place

tomwalt · 07-18-2012, 06:20 AM

As full timers I think you will find better solutions.
I've used KOA quite a bit when on the road and found some good and some not so good. They are all a little overpriced, but the way over priced ones were always near attractions or events - so I just continued down the road.
If you plan your stop around 5PM you have the option of moving on if you happen upon a dump. Seems to always be another within an hours drive.
P.S. I liked West Yellowstone, Devil's Tower, and one up by Glacier NP as home bases in those areas. The one on I-40 just East of Grand Canyon was its own city - too busy for me but would be great for teenagers.

jpharley · 07-18-2012, 10:06 AM

We are not fans of the 2 KOAs in the Pittsburg area. They are both way overpriced and the one in Madison is on a steep hill so if you stay there, be careful coming out of your site. The one in Washington, PA has pretty small sites. We have stayed at both.. A better option in Fox Den in New Stanton, PA. Easy on/ off the interstate and long pull thrus and the price is much, much lower.

bsirby · 07-18-2012, 10:18 AM

We have stayed at several KOA's while traveling. They are overpriced, no doubt about that. Most are decent parks, with some exceptions. We are currently working for KOA and have not had the best experience with the two campgrounds we have worked at. I think we will sign up with workkamper.com. and try our luck there. Usually, when we are traveling, we try and stay at passport america cg's. Saves us alot of money. There again, some are decent, some are not. Glad you are enjoying your fulltime experience.

doc · 07-18-2012, 03:24 PM

Never stayed at a KOA that was not crowded (narrow sites) or overpriced. Have had to stay at some because we were exhausted and needed some sleep, but if anything else is available we will be there instead.