Poll: How Often Do You Stay At A KOA Kampground?

Above, last summer at Devils Tower KOA in Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, whenever I go on a camping vacation, I plan ahead for where to say the night while en route to a destination. I also check for what RV parks and campgrounds are available at my destinations.

Most often, if there is a KOA Kampground, I will reserve a spot or take a chance and drive in and see if they have any available campsites. Usually they do.

Why do I pick KOA Kampgrounds? First, they are generally consistent in what facilities and amenities are available. Plus, as I have accrued bonus points from previous stays, I use them to get lower prices.

RV Travel has posted a poll asking, "How often do you stay at a KOA Kampground?" My response was "often". I would hazard a guess that it is around 70% of the time.

They begin their poll with:

Kampgrounds of America, better known as KOA, is the largest campground chain in North America with more than 500 locations. It was founded in 1962 in Billings, Montana, and has been a staple for campers for decades.

With its signature yellow signs and a wide range of amenities, KOAs are often a go-to choice for travelers seeking convenience, family-friendly activities, and dependable facilities.

KOA locations cater to every style of camper. Many of its properties also include perks like pools, dog parks, and planned activities for kids, making them an excellent choice for families on the road.

For those looking for extra comfort, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort locations often feature enhanced amenities like upgraded cabins, deluxe RV sites, and full-service cafes. But you’ll pay the price!

When you travel, how often do you stay at KOA campgrounds? Are you drawn to their consistent quality, or do you seek out independent or state park campgrounds for a different experience?

 To read more and participate in the poll, go here.

RV Clubs: Are They Worth The Cost?

Above, camping at the Ouray KOA Kampground last September. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Around 1987 (give or take), our family had a Starcraft pop-up camping trailer (a.k.a. tent trailer). We tried out the local Starcraft camping club to see what it was like.

We attended some camping trips with the club and found the members friendly. But it wasn't too long that we traded the trailer for a micro-mini Class C motorhome. So that ended our club membership.

These days, I belong to Good Sam and am a member of Kampground of America (KOA). I use their benefits like their 10% discounts and bonus points. 

For some RVers, an RV club may be one's cup-of-tea. For others, not so much. 

RV Life has posted an article on the pros and cons of joining an RV club.

They begin it with:

Tackling the RV lifestyle by yourself can be tough and isolating. If you feel this way, you’re not alone. Over the long history of RVing, organizations and communities have formed to deal with the ups and downs of RV life. Nowadays, these are known as RV clubs, and they can be a major pillar of support for anyone who wants to join.

Of course, if these clubs are so great, why doesn’t everybody sign up? Like everything, there are pros and cons to joining an RV club. You need to pay recurring fees in order to gain the benefits, and sometimes it just seems like you’re getting enough bang for your buck. However, most people find that it’s a worthwhile investment.

The main thing you need to do is identify what type of RVer you are and select a club that provides worthwhile benefits. There are lots of options, and some people even join multiple clubs instead of just one. Today, we want to explore the potential perks and drawbacks of RV clubs as well as some of the best ones you could join.

To read more, go here. 

Economic Woes and Fuel Prices Not Scaring Away RVers

Above, the Elk City KOA in Oklahoma. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Is the current economy and high fuel prices are scaring off RVers from taking a RV trip or even buying an RV?

Well, apparently not. At least that's according to a research survey posted in RV Travel from Kampgrounds of America’s Monthly Research Report for June.

They begin with:

Rising fuel prices and the roller coaster economy don’t seem to be holding back campers or RV buyers this summer.

Kampgrounds of America’s Monthly Research Report for June found that 21.5 million camping households are planning a Fourth of July camping trip this year. That’s an 8.6% increase in campers over the July 4th holiday results in 2021. It should be noted that the KOA research covers all campers, and not just those camping at KOA campgrounds.

In fact, KOA’s research found many campers intend to extend their trips this Fourth of July holiday. More than one in four (26%) Fourth of July campers plan to camp the entire week before or after the holiday, while 27% indicate they will extend the weekend by one or two days.

To read more, go here. 

Half of All Campers Already Booked Their 2022 Trips

Above, the Ouray, Colorado KOA office and store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like I could be included in this survey.

RV Travel reports that according to a KOA Monthly Research Report for March, half of all campers have already booked their 2022 trips.

I have already booked a camping space at Navajo Lake State Park in New Mexico for July. 

The article starts with:

Kampgrounds of America’s Monthly Research Report for March says nearly two-thirds of current campers are planning to take a camping trip in 2022, and half of all campers say they have already booked at least some of their trips.

“Between what campers are telling us and our reservation data, it’s clear that camping will be a popular way to travel again this year,” said Whitney Scott, Chief Marketing Officer of KOA. “Campers and leisure travelers alike are looking to get out and try new things as COVID-19 wanes.”

To read the full article, go here. 

30% of Pets Go Camping

Above, Sierra in the motorhome at Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Pets are part of the family. There are no two ways about it.

A vacation is not a vacation to many people (60%) without the family pet. When I go on an extended camping trip in the motorhome, I bring my cat Sierra with me. She probably has been in more states than my daughter has.

WJHG has posted research results of a study on pet owners and vacations.

They posted:

CLEVELAND, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pets truly are members of the family. In fact, 60 percent of owners even bring their fur babies on vacation with them.* To make it safer and healthier for pet parents to hit the road with their canine companions in tow, Embrace Pet Insurance, a top-ranked insurance provider for dogs and cats in the United States, has partnered with Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), an organization committed to creating family-friendly camping experiences throughout North America. Together, Embrace and KOA will make the experience of camping even better for dog owners with resources to support pet health and wellness while traveling. The two organizations will team up to provide pet parents with educational content, like a guide to camping with pets as well as events at two KOA campgrounds with food, games and even live training sessions.

"As campers, we're in the business of dealing with the unexpected – detours, traffic jams, blown tires, stuck slides, shattered vent covers, holding tank anxiety, etc. You name it. We've all been there. Whether driving a motorhome, pulling a travel trailer, or setting up a tent – and I've done them all – camping is about preparing for what could happen and troubleshooting when it does," said Brian Macias, president, Embrace Pet Insurance. "Our pets add another aspect to that. That's why KOA and Embrace are teaming up to make sure that you're prepared when it comes to traveling with your four-legged companions. Our 24/7 pet telehealth and use-anywhere accident and illness coverage is exactly what every camping pet parent needs for peace of mind."

The partnership is sure to be an impactful one, with camping and outdoor recreation popular among pets and their owners. In fact, Embrace research* shows that:

• Nearly 30 percent of traveling pets go camping 

• Over 20 percent of traveling pets go to the mountains, a lake or to visit family 

• 50 percent of pet parents take their pups hiking 

• 50 percent of dogs like to swim 

• Of the 60 percent of pet owners who take their pets on vacation, 12 percent will stay in an RV or camper, and an additional six percent will sleep in a tent

While we're on the subject of pets, camping and motorhomes, there is a prominent video blogger on YouTube, Eric Jacobs the Nomadic Fanatic, who posts videos of his RV travels with his cat Jax. It has been reported that Jax passed away recently from complications of a thyroid tumor. My condolences to Eric for his loss. Jax was as much a celebrity on the Nomadic Fanatic as Eric, perhaps more so. Those of us who follow Nomadic Fanatic will miss Jax.

To read the full article, go here. 

UPDATE (10/22/21):

Eric Jacobs posted a video on Jax's final days. Be warned, it is very sad. It reminds me a lot of when Siren passed away six years ago. 

KOA Partners With Love's Travel Stops

Above, the Ouray, Colorado KOA office and store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This sounds like an interesting concept.

Kampgrounds of American is partnering with Love's Travel Stops for a new KOA Kampground at a Mississippi Love's Travel Stop.

RV Travel reported:

RVtravel.com News (May 20, 2021) – Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) announced that it has signed a franchise agreement with Love’s Travel Stops to build a new KOA campground at the Love’s location in McComb, Mississippi.

Love’s Travel Stops, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has a total of 550 locations in 41 states. KOA is North America’s largest chain of family-friendly, open-to-the-public campgrounds, with 520 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

The new campground will be known as the McComb KOA Journey and will be adjacent to the Love’s Travel Stop facility. A press release issued by Kampgrounds of America did not say if the two companies plan to add additional new campgrounds at other Love’s Travel Stop locations. Plans call for the McComb KOA Journey to begin accepting overnight campers by the end of 2021.

My only concern is that the KOA Kampground is far enough away from the all the noisy semi trucks at the travel stop.

To read more, go here.