K Charles wrote: I have stayed at cheap KOAs and have seen parks that are expensive. It doesn't have to be a KOA to be over priced. If you don't like the price, drive down the road. If you don't want to pay for or use the pool or rec-hall, go to a park that doesn't have them.
x2
Steve,Kathy,Josh & Morpheus the Basenji
2004 40' TSDP Country Coach Inspire DaVinci
350 Cummins, 3000 Allison
2008 Wrangler X Rubicon/Blue OX Tow Bar/Ready Brake
We have stayed at several KOAs. Never have been happy with rates and especially surprise costs. Did get a Military discount as Disabled Vet now it is only active or retired.
They charge based on if it is a destination park such as Nashville etc, not on the quality of the park. Some of the parks are making small improvements but none of them are worth the price. I started to name names but no. Their advertisments, in the KOA book and others paint pretty pictures not worthy of them or downright deceitful.
They are delapidated, one concrete pad that you can wash your RV on at thirty something cents a foot. Charges for laundry and everything is way high. The fifty amp had a screw in it so you could only use the thirty amp. Apparently to supply two 30 amp legs on two adjacent sites.
Object of discussion was RVers parking at Wal Mart etc and making them use the parks. Others are the similar. Either a train or Interstate or both 50 ft away. I like some of them but they are way to high for what they offer and the extra charges are unconscienable. There are good bad and indifferent across America. I'm not telling my favorites.
We are not big fans of KOA campgrounds but will stay in them if they are a good value for the area. Some of their specials can make them great deals, like the two for one deals when in Canada last summer.
Don't have a problem with extra cost on some weekends as it happens all the time at hotels.
2010 Tiffin Allegro RED 36 QSA with Chevy HHR toad
2009 Chevy 2500HD CC 4x4 w/6.0 Vortec
Sundowner horse trailer
My hobby cars
1965 Chevy Impala SS 396
1964 Chevy Nova SS
Old Man of the Mountain wrote: .... and on top of that they charged a $5 resort fee each person.
This is not confined to KOA's and I've seen a steady increase in rates across all CG's - family-owned and corporate entities. Now the fact that in your case some amenities were not available after Labor Day is another matter.
They are what they are and you either like or don't. We have stayed in 3 different ones. All above $40/night. One was nearly twice that much. For the most part, they appeal to us somewhat because of activities for the kids. However, the last one we stayed at, didn't have all the traditional KOA stuff nor any ongoing activities for the kids. Last eyar when we were picking up our camper from storage at Lakewood in Myrtle Beach, we needed to stay a night. THe big 3 there in MB didn't allow one night rentals at that time. The MB KOA did and why we chose it then. We weren't there long enough to take advantage ofth activities they had and the price was more than the big 3 per night and not even on the beach. But it is what it is and it was convienant.
As the others stated, you will either pay for it or not. Do people not check ahead of time as to what the rates will be? This is why I make reservations ahead of time. I will know what the cost will be. I don't blindly make a reservation without looking at the price. And I don't just pull into a place. If I did, I would be complaining about the prices of some of these places...lol
Brian RVing Illustrated
2010 Keystone Sprinter Select 31BH
2001 Coleman Santa Fe
We have stayed at over 50 different KOAs over the last 15 years of camping and generally our stays have been enjoyable. Just to put into perspective, the provincial Parks here in Ontario Canada, charge over $40 a night for a site with barely 30 Amp power and no on site water and a dumping station to use on the way out???
So around here the KOA's prices seem reasonable. LOL
And the provincial parks have no more trees than our site at the Myrtle Beach KOA did during our last visit in July.
JM2CW
2003 Georgetown 346DS Ford F-53
2008 Pontiac G6 Toad, Blue Ox Aventa LX
Family Campers & RVers--- Come Camp With Us
www.fcrv.org
Oh boy, yet another KOA like it / hate it thread in the making.
We use KOA and sometimes know we are paying for things we don't use. Can do that at any private RV park.
If there are choices, make the choice that suits you - may or may not be KOA.
I have the Rewards Kard and that not only cuts your price but you get credit toward future stays. You have to evaluate it to see if you will use it enough.
Biggest rip off I ever got was Zion River in Virgin, UT. High priced and pool and hot tub not working. Asked for and adjustment and they just kinda laughed; thought I was kidding. (They also charged my credit card more for the WiFi than was on the sales ticket and have yet to refund the money - but it has only been about 5 years; maybe I should give up :-))
I use rvpark reviews and this forum as major tools in making my decisions.
DW of 50 great years, Barbara
2nd Best Friend-"Aussie" Terrier, Sadie
2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3
2006.5 Chev 3500 3LT XCab 4x4 Dmax Allie
Last year I stayed at the Toledo Ohio KOA but it was located in Michigan it was the best money I ever spent. We had a great time and I didn't need to cook breakfast the whole time (free pancakes).
Luke Porter wrote: I had another near-miss at a KOA. I was headed to Amy's Campground Tifton, Ga. It's been a Good Sam park for years. When I got off at the exit I saw a KOA 1 mile sign. Didn't recall a KOA in the area. Get up to "Amy's"--it's a KOA now.
Luckily there is a left turn there that takes back to the intrstate at the next exit south.
On down the road for me. Seeya Amy's--or Tifton KOA, whatever.
Luke, as an overnight-er in the Tifton Area, put in at Agrirama $20 a night, full hookups on a nice paved 20 acre site. Stay clear in the summer, way too hot but a great spot during the rest of the year.
My experience with KOAs over the years is that there is a great range of quality betweeen them. A few have been excellent and well worth the expense (like the KOA in the redwoods by Crescent City, CA) and some are not. The best of them are great for families with children because of their facilities. That said, I stay at State and National parks whenever possible or practical.
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