Community Forums

Honwing · 02-02-2018, 08:36 PM

On our travels between Seattle we have stayed at many KOA’s. Most for only 1 night but have stayed in a few for up to a week. Worst one is in Kent, Washington. We lived there in the 1970’s with two kids, a cat and a dog. Loved it therein a 35’ travel trailer and loved the pool. Now it has a Amazon Fullfilment Center across the street and is full of RV’s covered with blue tarps. All for only $59 a night and no room to open you awning.
Best both times we have stayed is in Belvedere, South Dakota. Wonderful couple who have totally renovated a closed KOA. Look forward to staying there this summer. Still use Passport America first where possible.

Dropthejacks · 02-02-2018, 09:25 PM

Not sure why so many people are down on the KOAs. We've stayed at several over the years and are return campers at a few. They are usually priced to match the local campgrounds around them. Booked a site at Boone, NC the other day for around $45 a night with full hook-up and 50 Amp. In the Outer Banks, the KOA rates are relatively the same as the RV Resort next door. We've stayed at both and the KOA wins out because of the great pool area they have there. The one at Key West was pricey at around $100 a night, but every decent campground down there is high and booked solid. I know its cheaper at State parks, but I'm not into waiting lists, having to drag the RV to the dump station every 3 days, etc. And, I've never had any issues with my campsite getting messed with or stuff missing at a KOA, unlike some of the "cheap" campgrounds around. It doesn't have to be a KOA for us, but I always consider them along with the other campgrounds in an area when planning our trips.

Phil Perrin · 02-03-2018, 05:29 PM

While we've only been RVing for a short time, we like that the KOAs cost about the same as average hotel.
And our annual, travelling family reunion and beer fests are held at a KOA when it takes us to St. Louis. My sisters apartment is way too small for everyone, and everyone can rent a cabin or two while we get a campsite. It works great for us!

rarebear.nm · 02-03-2018, 05:58 PM

I started this thread, Post #1. There was a question of the price, we paid $35.00 for one night. This is only the second KOA we've ever stopped at for the reasons cited above. This time we were running late that day and needed a full hookup for a variety of reasons, thus the quick web search while driving (co-pilot) and DW came up this very nice KOA.

While there are bad things said about KOAs for a valid reason, I was only trying to provide some well earned credit where I thought it was deserved. We frequently Wallydock, while in-route and use state and National parks as destination camps or just boon dock as at Quartzsite.

CampDaven · 02-03-2018, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

I started this thread, Post #1. There was a question of the price, we paid $35.00 for one night. This is only the second KOA we've ever stopped at for the reasons cited above. This time we were running late that day and needed a full hookup for a variety of reasons, thus the quick web search while driving (co-pilot) and DW came up this very nice KOA.

While there are bad things said about KOAs for a valid reason, I was only trying to provide some well earned credit where I thought it was deserved. We frequently Wallydock, while in-route and use state and National parks as destination camps or just boon dock as at Quartzsite.

I appreciate your honest review, Fred!
We have been to all of the RV Park chains, and find KOA the best.
There are some inadequate parks everywhere. But reading the available reviews has always been our key to HAPPY.
This season, we went from PA to GA, FL, and every state on the route to Oregon while staying only at KOAs that we SELECTED!!!
Happy Trails!

Searching_Ut · 02-03-2018, 08:04 PM

Thanks for the review. I've never really understood the "hate KOA" thing, especially in this day and age. They are all different, some good, some not so good just like every other type of camping area I've been too. Kind of like saying all state parks, or all national parks, forest service campgrounds etc. are all the same. We look at what's in the area we want to stay in, then pick whatever looks best to us price/quality wise. When we think the KOA is the best option we stay there, and most of the time find it pleasant. Of course the price appeared to be good too or we wouldn't have chosen it.

CampDaven · 02-03-2018, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

... can't imagine anyone wanting to stay in Gila Bend... except for an overnight. The Elks Lodge parking lot is free.

I look forward to visiting the Gila Bend area.
Some folks may miss the good stuff. We won't!
Gila Bend is a small town (about 1,800 people) in Arizona that is sure to offer a unique experience, even if you just need to stop for the night. This quaint, retro desert area offers many national and historic sites to explore, as well as some out-of-this-world lodgings. Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind day trip or a short getaway, Gila Bend is sure to surprise you.
https://trip101.com/article/the-best...a-bend-arizona

TMan59 · 02-05-2018, 06:09 PM

Thank you for taking the time to say something nice about something!
We would much rather pay a bit more and get something nice than stay in a low budget place with a bunch of full time, blue tarp campers.
That’s just us.

LaSportsman · 02-05-2018, 06:49 PM

Thanks. I've had good experiences with many KOA's including fair prices. I've seen overpriced KOAs with too many ammenities and I don't stay at those.

Gila Bend has been a pass through town for us but I'll have to check out the KOA as an option combined with a Phoenix trip for spring training. It will save me a little time towing too to just go into Phoenix for the days no stay in Gila Bend.

Gila Bend looks like the town that time forgot in some ways. I forget the name but the spaceship motel is quite interesting.

aether_one · 02-05-2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

There are some very mixed reviews of KOA Campgrounds for reasons I well understand. This week we stayed at the KOA in Gila Bend, AZ and it was very nice and a great price. It has been rebuilt, extremely clean, great WiFi, great dog runs, wide level camp sites and very nice management. I'd give it an A+ review.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime

You left out the price. After staying 3-4 times at KOA I experienced a pattern of them being way overpriced for what you get. For me they are no longer an option to even consider.

...

CampDaven · 02-05-2018, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfryman

...

Is there a meaning behind the "roll eyes"?
KOA has served us well since 1962.

🤡....

aether_one · 02-06-2018, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampDaven

Is there a meaning behind the "roll eyes"?
KOA has served us well since 1962.

🤡....

Did you not see the parts I bolded? The OP specifically mentioned price/value. The next poster asked about price. I roll my eyes at posters that don't read the thread.

CampDaven · 02-06-2018, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfryman

Did you not see the parts I bolded? The OP specifically mentioned price/value. The next poster asked about price. I roll my eyes at posters that don't read the thread.

I looked it up. It was on Allstays.

CharlesinGA · 02-09-2018, 05:56 PM

I'm fairly new to the RV world, about 2 years. I prefer public CG's, Federal is best, I get the senior discount, state is good too, even local CG's on occasion are decent. During my trip out to the Black Hills last August, I finished my touring in the Black Hills and was in Rapid City at the Journey Museum. While there I made a call to the Hot Springs KOA looking for a space for the night. Left a detailed message. My Brother arrived from Fargo, it was Saturday afternoon before the eclipse on Monday. We drove downtown and I parked in a lot a couple of blocks from his hotel, and we walked to a local restaurant. While parking the MH, the KOA returned the call. Very nice fellow, the owner, said they had a cancellation and did I want the spot. Absolutely. I gave him credit card info and we discussed my arrival. After eating dinner I left and hot footed it down to Hot Springs and arrived while the owner was still in the office, 8:45 pm. He checked me in and had a park employee lead me to the spot.

It was an older KOA that this couple had recently acquired and were working hard to build back up to its former glory. I have to give them an A+ for effort and a good facility. They had work to do yet, but were clearly making headway.

I hung around the next morning long enough to look around and eat breakfast under the open shelter with others.

It was expensive (to me) the most I paid the entire trip, but well worth it, I found a safe, secure, spot to park and had power and a nice hot shower.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f38/my-bl...-a-374375.html

Charles