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There seem to be mixed reviews on KOA memberships, so I thought I would add to the confusion. A KOA membership will cost you $24 a year, and give you 10% off each visit. If you camp a lot like I do, it will pay for itself and then some. You also get members only exclusive deals and offers, which can vary from KOA to KOA. You earn points and can redeem those points for free stays. It also gives you discounts with Allstate RV Roadhelp, Coleman, Cruise America, & Budget car rentals, just to name a few.
KOA's do offer a lot, and tend to be more geared towards families, which is why I like them. We like to either tent camp or stay in the cabins. Tent camping is reasonable, considering the amenities. The cabins are priced in a range just above RV spots and just below budget hotel rooms. The thing I like about staying at a KOA instead of hotels is that there are activities, other than a pool, that my son can enjoy. It feels more like being in nature.
Yes, you can find some KOA's in need of renovation, but that can be said for State & National Parks as well.
Anyway, my point is that the KOA membership, in my humble opinion, is well worth it if you camp quite often and have a family.
I agree with the others - it depends on how much traveling or camping you will do. What people like about KOA's is that when you're traveling, you don't have to go looking for them, they're almost always very conveniently located, they're fairly standard - you know what you're going to get, and it's great if you're traveling with kids or dogs, some even accomodate horses.
Some of the state parks are almost as convenient to the highway if you're looking for a place to stay when traveling but some of them require not only the $24 or so per night but a state vehicle pass on top of it which puts them close in price. The KOAs beat the cheap motels because you don't have to worry if the sheets got changed and they're usually a lot quieter, you can hear the frogs or cicadas at night, and the birds in the morning, you can cook out, sit outside around a campfire and really relax after a night of driving. Kids can get out and swim or hit the playground and the showers are decent but you can find cheaper camping.
Hi all, my wife and I just got our first travel trailer, a Keystone Bullet. Our first few trips will be some Arkansas state parks, close by for trial runs. After that some weekend trips to MO, and TN.
So, my first questions or many more to come, Is a Good Sam membership, or KOA discounts really necessary?
Thanks all,
Kevin
my wife and i are full timers. we bought a 35' southiwnd and two a vehicle. in answer to your question.... it kinda depends on how much money you have and weather the 10% 3.00 actually makes a difference to your budget. we have found that most places will give you the good sam or aaa or just breathing discount just for asking... if you are looking to camp a lot and really want a money saver, i would look at thousand trails zone pass. its only 500 bucks and you get almost unlimited use of the campgrounds for only 3.00 a day with 30 days for free. .... our rig uses that as soon as i plug it in and fire up the auto tracking saetlite dish. we have had it and so far everything they say they would do, they have done. dont be in a hurry to spend money to get discounts. you have plenty of time to research all the different people out there wanting your money. if you do get a member ship or just travel from place to place, the best advice i could give you would be to plan your trip so that you get to the park durring the DAYLIGHT HOURS. anyway, good luck and hope to see you out there.
I agree with the others - it depends on how much traveling or camping you will do. What people like about KOA's is that when you're traveling, you don't have to go looking for them, they're almost always very conveniently located, they're fairly standard - you know what you're going to get, and it's great if you're traveling with kids or dogs, some even accomodate horses.
Some of the state parks are almost as convenient to the highway if you're looking for a place to stay when traveling but some of them require not only the $24 or so per night but a state vehicle pass on top of it which puts them close in price. The KOAs beat the cheap motels because you don't have to worry if the sheets got changed and they're usually a lot quieter, you can hear the frogs or cicadas at night, and the birds in the morning, you can cook out, sit outside around a campfire and really relax after a night of driving. Kids can get out and swim or hit the playground and the showers are decent but you can find cheaper camping.
KOAs offer 2 advantages over other campgrounds:
1) the showers always have hot water
2) most campsites have full hookups
I always have problems with the black/gray water tanks in my trailer getting full when I stay a week at a campground without full hookups.
How much would the $112.95 rv insurance go up the 2nd year?
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