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3 Kinds Of KOA Campgrounds – Kampgrounds Of America

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

Kampgrounds of America is the world’s largest system of privately held campgrounds.

They have nearly 500 locations throughout the United States and Canada.

KOA categorizes some of their camping locations in three different types: Holiday, Journey, and Resort.

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While they’re all still KOA properties, each focuses on a single type of visitor.

KOA camping types
KOA

KOA Holiday

Holiday campgrounds might be thought of as a ‘base camp’.

The full-service sites at KOA Holiday campgrounds, combined with camping cabins and bathrooms, offer a full-service feel.

Patio RV sites, swimming pools and jacuzzis, and fitness center and game rooms provide amenities rarely found at other campgrounds.

View the KOA Holiday locations.

KOA Journey

Journey KOA camping spots are located near highways and major roads.

These locations offer pull-through spots (with 50-amp service), enabling you to set up camp quickly after what might have been a long drive.

For tent campers, you can look forward to premium tent sites shaded by trees.

After-hour check-in services help you get situated quickly to get some rest.

Here’s the current line-up of KOA Journey sites.

KOA Resort

Linen service at a campground? Yep! It’s like staying in a hotel – in the wilderness. The KOA Resort facilities offer a more full-service camping experience.

Staff-led recreational activities, on-site food service, and meeting areas for groups complete the luxury living lifestyle.

There’s also free WiFi, premium tent camping spots, a KOA store for your camping essentials, and a Kamp K9 dog park for pets at these Resort-type KOAs.

While there’s only a relative few KOA resorts in the country, here’s their locations.

What Campers Have Said

Now that you have a little bit of background on the breakdown of KOA campgrounds, here’s what a few real-life campers have said about the different camping types.

One visitor said that he thought the cost of the Resort type was too high for the amenities offered, especially since he already had his own golf cart transportation and didn’t want to make use of the Resort’s marina offering. He wrote,

I am a KOA value Kard member and what I have discovered is that the “resorts” are extremely expensive and really don’t offer anything special.

I own my own golf cart so that really wasn’t anything special to justify $100.00 a night. So I avoid all resort’s like the PLAGUE because it just seems its nothing but a way to charge more money

Others have said that some KOA operators have decreased the availability of tent camping in favor of RV spots.

And, don’t forget that the cost of membership to KOA can only be recouped if you camp often.

Margaret Fitzpatrick Blaetz said,

Every time I renew, I remind my husband that we need to camp X number of days to make it worthwhile. 🙂 He hasn’t let me down yet.

KOA campgrounds can often be more expensive than competitors. Some campers want the cheapest prices available, others are willing to pay a bit for a usually clean and trouble-free camping spot.

While more expensive than other options, you usually get what you pay for.

SEE ALSO: 16 Top Luxury RV Resorts And Parks: When Money Is No Object