KOA Resorts

So before we bought our pod we were KOA kampers.  Not anymore!  We just got back from an 8 day trip to Niagra Falls and Watkins Glen, NY.  The first KOA was about 70% permanently parked campers and they all had golf carts.  It was very noisy and dusty from all the carts buzzing around all over the place.  The second KOA was right next to a busy road and a railroad track!  The camp sites were small and right on top of each other.  Again it was very noisy.  We used up all our points and won't be staying in another KOA ever again.  From now on its State Parks!  They are much cheaper and quiter.  The Watkins Glen State Park looked like heaven compared to the Watkins Glen KOA.  We stayed at Bear Creek State Park in NH a few weeks ago and it was the same way.  Lots of room between camp sites and very quiet.  we aren't into all the crazy extra activities that the KOA's offer, at least not enough to sacrifice the quiet peaceful atmosphere you find in State Parks.

I think the key with KOA's is to stay away from KOA Resorts.  Both camps were KOA Resorts and they were both awful. Before we got the pod we stayed in their cabins and really liked it.  We have stayed in many between Wichita Ks and St. Johnsberry Vt over the years and only stayed in a couple we didn't care for but both of the ones we stayed in this trip were awful!  The only good things I can say about them is the staff was friendly and the facilities were clean.  This trip was the first time we stayed at a KOA that had permenitlly parked RV's with storage sheds and golf carts. It was like staying at a mobile home park. 

the last koa we camp at was in eastern Co.  and will be last one. when they start charging for our 2 yr. granddaughter it time to stay somewhere else. 

I can neither commend nor criticize KOA, never having stayed at one, but our exclusive preference is the State Parks system in Florida.  We have never had a site too small for the R-Dome, for example, and services are excellent including well maintained, clean bath houses.

I do have to say that the Twin Mountain KOA in the White Mountains of NH is a very nice KOA.  I think it's mainly the KOA "Resorts" that have. Kinda lost sight of what camping is all about.