Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) has announced a new site class, the KOA Signature Site. The spacious campsites will further expand KOA’s move toward the profitable glamping world. Each Signature Site will include an expanded KOA Patio with a covered seating area such as a Skydeck or gazebo, expanded grilling elements, and a “fire experience.” (No, not a campfire pit, a “fire experience,” which you can interpret as you wish.)
In a press release, KOA reported that 69% of campers expressed they would likely stay in a well-appointed, premium campsite. A growing audience of younger campers showed more interest in socializing while camping. Already under development at some KOA locations, the news release explains, “the KOA Signature Site brings campground amenities to a site-level experience and is expected to be a popular offering.”
An “exclusive” experience
A Signature Site will include a minimum size of 3,000 square feet, which will allow “for ample room for relaxation.” Upgraded landscaping will offer privacy for guests. An on-site gathering area consisting of a deck, raised platform or covered pavilion will accommodate six persons.
“This elevated, expanded site caters to the camper wanting an exclusive campground experience,” said Darin Uselman, COO of Kampgrounds of America, Inc. although he did not explain what “exclusive campground experience” means.
Uselman did not say how much such a super campsite would cost, but it’s a good bet it will be a “super price.”
“The KOA Signature Site is just one example of our focus on innovation and development across KOA campgrounds,” Uselman said. KOA anticipates that 50 Signature Sites will be available across the U.S. and Canada within a couple of years.
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Yes.
Nope
Exactly. What a great system.
absolutely NOT…give me the woods with my fire themed campsite (fireplace), not all of this extra stuff from my deck at home
This type of site is not for me but I can see where it will appeal to a great majority of today’s RVers. I applaud KOA for hearing their customers and doing something about it.
Concur wholeheartedly. Whereas it may not appeal to us, we definitely will not throw rocks at those it does.
I agree! It may not be for everyone, but when they are available, we would book one. We’ve found that many of the campgrounds we visit have their sites set up “parking lot” style where your awing almost touches your neighbor’s RV. We prefer larger, more private sites. A covered gazebo style sitting area means I don’t have to set up a crowded area under our awning, a pet pen means I don’t have to walk my dogs around the campground before I’ve even had my morning coffee. Our RV is the way we vacation and sometimes we don’t even leave the campground, so the larger and more amenity filled our site is, the more we will enjoy our vacation.
well koa has always been overpriced but a long as they also keep up their more affordable spots…they are no different than any large hotel chain or airlines that charge for luxury accomodations
Whatever happen to camping? What I just read sounds like someone’s back deck at home but, .cheaper
Meanwhile their already small, semi-affordable sites get tighter and tighter, or disappear forever to accommodate the glampers.
What ever happened to the “Good ole days” when you could just drive to a campground, hook up to water & electric. Do your own thing. Meet your neighbor & chat for a while, then leave to visit the next exciting place? Our reason to stay at any RV park is to see the sites that are near the park. Campgrounds used to be part of the journey. NOT the destination
Agreed
AMEN. Except when I am visiting family or friends in the area. Then I’m usually at their home not them at my campsite.
You got that right.
Fire experience? Either it’s just word smithing or maybe there’ll be a choice between gas or electric. New-age camping it seems.
During extreme firehazard conditions, will a “fire experience” be acceptable but campfires not? Who knew rebranding a campfire was needed.
If in New York state, Governor Kathy will not allow you build anything with gas other than what gushes from her mouth…
The drawing at the top sure looks like a campsite to me. Note tongue in cheek here . . . 😛
I would never spend the money to upgrade to a deluxe site but the KOAs do have deluxe sites seem to be almost always occupied. That’s what is great about camping from people in tents and all the way up to high priced motor homes everyone is having fun and proud of what they have.
Thank you! “Not my cup of tea.” Hopefully, they EXPAND sites to fit this new category and not MERGE sites to create them. Kinda doubtful though.
Nope, not for me..I can have all of that in my own back yard without the expense
I don’t know which one I would like more; the campfire experience or the depleted bank account experience! In Millennial camping speak – I’m off to have a bathroom experience!
AMEN Richard, have a blessed day! LOL
Your post confused me, are you saying that’s what a “Fire experience” is? If so, Hahaha pretty funny. 👍👍🤣😅😂
I would gladly pay for the upgrade over a gravel and grass back-in at some of the older KOAs
Lots of space for entertaining guest which the campground will charge $10 per person to enter as someone commented on in yesterday’s newsletter when local friends came to visit them at the campground. I don’t know but when I’ve visited locations where friends live I spend time at their house not them coming to my “tiny hovel” as I call it.
Why not just drive a Big SUV to Hiltons or another high-end hotels and get the same experience with room service? There are Also resorts all over the country that offer privacy as well, I will never understand spending that much money to buy a fullsize home on wheels just to mimick there million dollar home, the Luxury Class A is fine if you are seeing the country but this is to much! Some of these rigs are pulling double or triple if the state allows it. They basically load everything they own into a trailer the size of the Class A then pull a boat behind that trailer. The headache of navigating all that equipment doesn’t sound like fun. Those are the people these sites are for they need all the room to unhook and spread out their belongings.
Perhaps. My wife and I try to get a site like this once every 2 years or so for a family reunion in a park. Some bring TTs, 5ers or C’s. Others may stay in a Kamping Kabin and then we have a big area for kids, a cooking area, some easy ups for small kids or babies, nephews, nieces etc to spread out and be together at the same time. It takes some planning but what worth while doesn’t?
That’s just us tho. These types of sites have a place in our camping lives but I completely understand they are not for everyone every trip.
It is not the campsite that matters much, it is the family and what the family sees traveling from a husband and wife, to their children and relatives. Dirt suits me just fine and long as we are having a good time and making memories. And money for me is not something that grows on trees. I’ll continue to enjoy standard KOA sites which are for the most part a good value as KOA’s are not our destination, just a place to stay on the way to what we want to do and see.
Well said
And the NOISE a campsite like this will create! The more people, the more space the more noise. Imagine trying to relax at your campsite anywhere near one of these. I’m so glad I’m set-up for boondocking
Ditto. I did a couple of nights in a campground doing a shakedown on my new trailer, but I’ve done boondocking ever since.