I have seen a lot of negative comments on this forum about KOA and I must admit that we don't stay at KOA's often because we seldom use any of their special entertainment amenities. However I was quite impressed with Lena KOA near Lena, Illinois.
Lena KOA was the selected meeting place for a "sleepover". (That's two steps down in formality from a rally.) There were 5 small motorhomes (mostly Class B) and the rainy weather was not conducive to our usual practice of gathering around the campfire. Joe, the campground manager/owner helped us by making the recreation hall available to us when there were no scheduled activities there, then hunted down a tarp and some ropes for us to block the wind and rain when we were using their gazebo. This was at a time when the campground was full due to festivals nearby. I would expect that kind of special attention if we were a large group during a slow time, but like I said we were a small group and the campground was full.
Needless to say the facilities were everything one would expect at a KOA, but the rainy weather would have made our planned potluck meals and socializing together impossible without the use of the recreation hall and the gazebo.
Salianron --Sally and Ron
2003 Roadtrek 200 Popular
May I add two other KOAs I would recommend. Lyman, WY and Douglas, WY. We stayed at these because they were in the place we wanted to be. Other options were not available at the time. Glad there wasn't. We had very enjoyable stays at both parks.
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2004 Ford 350 Super Duty 2W Dirve Long Bed PU
2008 327RLT Montana Mountaineer 35 ft. 5th wheel 2005 Alaska and other Trip Logs
We don't stay at RV Parks as often as we used to after downsizing from a '35 fiver to a truck camper.
BUT I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the KOA in Cannonville near Bryce NP and Kodachrome State Park in Utah.
The owners went out of their way to accomodate us by moving us to a pull thru without additional charge. The bathrooms and showers were super clean. AND we felt the rate was more than reasonable @ $30 nt {with a discount} last May.
After two wonderful weeks of sightseeing and staying at NP Parks & State Parks {some with showers} ... it was just refreshing to have a few MORE amenities, plus the opportunity to fully recharge our batteries - "our OWN batteries included" Then we were ready to "see all the glorious wonders of nature" again. AND don't miss the Escalante Visitor Center just around the corner from the KOA
So if you can FIT in the upper section, it's further away from Hwy 12 with beautiful views - although some prefer the grassy area or to be closer to the pool. {There is occassionally a little dust yes BUT it was worse at Watchman and the SAME as the whole region when it's dry.}
We have stayed at several KOA's in N.C. and all of them were wonderful. We have been to Wilmington, Shallotte, New Bern and Statesville. Did our maiden voyages at Smithfields KOA. Would recommend any of these. Our sites were all big and level.
Sharon, Tom with
Jack (Rat Terrier) and Benji (Yorkie) at our side
2000 Gulfstream Innsbruck 26' TT
1998 Ford F150 XLT Triton V8 with Extra Towing Package
Prodigy Brake
Suzie our Garmin Nuvi 650
I agree on the tight sites at Lena. Nice owners, though - I agree with the OP on that. We often use KOAs for overnighters, and occasionally for destination visits as well. Ones we've especially enjoyed:
Petoskey MI
Lake Placid NY
Gettysburg PA
South Bend East, IN
Lyman WY
Devils Tower WY
Wapakoneta OH
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