This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy.

Everything You Need To Know About Camping At A KOA

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

In your travels, you may have seen the bright yellow signs marking the popular KOA campgrounds. KOA (which stands for Kampgrounds Of America) has almost 500 private, beautifully maintained campgrounds across the U.S. and Canada.

Their campgrounds are broken down into three different options: KOA Journeys, KOA Holidays, and KOA Resorts.

KOA camping
via Keyword Suggest

KOA Journeys are conveniently located near highways with long pull-thru sites, KOA Holidays are a little more luxurious with patio RV sites, premium tent sites, and deluxe cabins, and KOA Resorts provide a complete vacation with sites plus a swimming pool and other facilities.

There’s always something to do at a KOA.

KOA camping
via Boubou1/Flickr

Every campground varies, but most have hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, mini golf, and even movie nights.

Sign up for the newsletter today!

Please enter a valid email address.

An error occurred. Please try again later.

× logo

Thank you for subscribing to the Do It Yourself RV newsletter, keep your eye on your inbox for updates.

Some KOAs also have more unique accommodations, like sleek Airstream trailers you can stay in, restored cabooses from historic railway lines, and also tee-pees & yurts.

There’s never a campground too far away.

KOA camping
via Nosy.tk

KOAs now have 485+ locations across the U.S. in almost every state. You can easily pull up ones by city or state online, or download and use their app to search for your nearest campgrounds.

Most are pet-friendly and have their own off-leash dog parks.

KOA camping
via Jeff Grambs/KOA

Most KOAs have a fenced-in area for your collared campers to run free, known as Kamp K-9s, plus lots of seating for you to watch them roam. The areas have cleanup stations, fresh water, and at some KOAs, separate areas for large and small dogs.

Family reunion? Weekend getaway with a big group of friends? They’ve got you covered.

KOA camping
via KOA

Most locations have plenty of extra room for big parties, including meeting rooms, pavilions, and some have outdoor kitchens.

Full-timer? Consider getting their Value Kard. It gives you 10% off every time you stay at a KOA, plus loads of other rewards.

Like most club cards, every time you stay at a KOA you’ll rack up points that you can redeem later on. Your card also includes membership to SaveAround, one of the largest coupon organizations in America. This will give you access to tons of coupons to save money on groceries, entertainment, dining, travel and more.

KOA camping
via Rapid City Journal

Having a Value Kard also makes check-in time easier, with your personal info and campsites preferences already in their system. The cards aren’t required to stay at their campgrounds, but they are worth the $30 investment every year if you’re a full-timer or you plan on going camping a lot.

See also: You’ll Love These 8 KOA Campgrounds By The Beach