KOAs

[AnnesFamily]

We have been camping for over 10 years as a family but have always stayed at state parks here in Texas and neighboring states.  Now that we have a new-to-us pop-up that's more live-in-able, we'd like to expand our horizons a bit.  We'd like to travel to Houston, San Antonio and other larger cities in Texas and use our camper instead of a motel room.

So we've never stayed at a KOA or anything like it.  I'd like some opinions from you guys as to their cleanliness, safety, any pointers, etc.  I'm specifically interested in the one in San Antonio this Spring Break.

Anyone?

[mountainrev]

I can't address the specific KOA you mention, but I have stayed at a few other ones.  Each one is different, but they all have certain things in common.  They all tend to be clean (at least the ones I have stayed at).  They all have quite a few amenities (e.g., laundry facilities, playgrounds, stores, restaurants, usually a pool, sometimes things like minigolf, etc.).  They are all relatively expensive.  And they all tend to be crowded, with spaces on top of each other, and often with few trees.

So, if you're looking for a place to stay for one night, do the laundry, let the kids swim, and take a shower, then you won't be disappointed.  But if you're looking for a quiet, scenic getaway, then don't waste your vacation time or money.

[AnnesFamily]

That's what I was afraid of.

[flyfisherman]

K.O.A.'s are a for profit enterprise and the one's I've stayed at from so-so to O.K.  The only time I've stayed at them is when making a long haul where I need to spend a night enroute. The good thing is they are usually close to a main highway (expressway) so they are sometimes no further than some motel/hotels. And I'd rather spend the night in my little Starcraft, I sleep better and I know who's slept in what bunk last ... plus I just like to be around my "stuff".

Was trying to think back when I stayed at the last K.O.A. and best I can remember it was something like the summer of '03. The rent was $25.00 for the night (near Asheville, NC), decently clean but like already mentioned, close quarters. One thing I did like about that one was I stayed a Saturday night and Sunday morning they offered a pancake breakfast in their covered picnic area and by golly, was'nt too bad and the price was right!

My favorite places are the National Forest C/G's ... they are usually large, good camping sites and have the best prices. However, for the most part, they do not have electrical hook-ups, but there are some exceptions.




Fly

[AZsix]

Though I haven't stayed at many KOA's, I have stayed at a few. As with anything else, some are better than others. As stated before, they tend to pack you close together and there isn't a lot of shade. IMO KOA's shouldn't be a destination. There is one in San Diego that I liked. It had a lot of shade trees and really had a "park" feel to it. They do tend to have planned activities such as ice cream socials and things like that. If you want to go to have access to a pool and some amenities then they are ok, though pricey. Most are close to major roadways also so they tend to be a little noisy.

In my limited time with a pup I have come to really enjoy state parks. Some state parks have lakes you can swim in.

If you are going to use it as a base while you site see then I don't think you will be disappointed. It will be cheaper than a motel and you will be fairly close to the places that you want to see. I have seen some KOA's advertise a free night if you stay "x" amount of nights so you can look for any specials that they may be running. You can also get a KOA card that gives you discounts on rates and purchases.

[CajunCamper]

We stayed at KOA twice and a Jellystone once. The Jellystone was for my son's birthday when he was about 8 years old and that's where he wanted to go because of the waterslide and the put put golf and other stuff. He had one of his buddies with him so he had a good time. It was all about him.

The first time we stayed at a KOA was for a place to sleep on our way to our destination. I remember it being next to the interstate and you could hear the traffic all night long, but we did manage to sleep and leave early the next morning. The second time was for my other son's 9th birthday he wanted to go to Houston to watch the Astro's play, so we stayed at a KOA on the outskirts of Houston. We weren't there much other than at night to sleep. It was basically a place to park our pup with hookups and a place to take a shower.

I'm not a fan of KOA or the other franchise type campgrounds, it's just not our thing. San Antonio has a couple of state parks within 30 minutes of the city I think so you may check those out. I would bet that they would be worth a look at.

Good Luck

CajunCamper

[Dee4j]

I can't address the specific KOA you mention, but I have stayed at a few other ones.  Each one is different, but they all have certain things in common.  They all tend to be clean (at least the ones I have stayed at).  They all have quite a few amenities (e.g., laundry facilities, playgrounds, stores, restaurants, usually a pool, sometimes things like minigolf, etc.).  They are all relatively expensive.  And they all tend to be crowded, with spaces on top of each other, and often with few trees.

So, if you're looking for a place to stay for one night, do the laundry, let the kids swim, and take a shower, then you won't be disappointed.  But if you're looking for a quiet, scenic getaway, then don't waste your vacation time or money.

you forgot to mention or this goes for most of them in here in Cali is they are usually next to RR tracks :eyecrazy:

I've never really cared for them and growing up my Mom hated them and wouldn't even stay there. I think there must be some better choices..

[AnnesFamily]

We ended up making reservations at a Thousand Trails campground at Medina Lake near San Antonio.  It'll just be a base camp so to speak since we'll be doing Sea World one day, Riverwalk and Alamo and other stuff the next.  Then we'll move on to Lake Texana State Park.  I agree, there's nothing better than the state parks, but the 2 hour drive to S.A. would have been torture.  We wanted to be at Palmetto, but they're booked up for Spring Break!

Thanks everyone!  Very quick answers.  Best site I've been on so far!

[CajunCamper]

We ended up making reservations at a Thousand Trails campground at Medina Lake near San Antonio.  It'll just be a base camp so to speak since we'll be doing Sea World one day, Riverwalk and Alamo and other stuff the next.  Then we'll move on to Lake Texana State Park.  I agree, there's nothing better than the state parks, but the 2 hour drive to S.A. would have been torture.  We wanted to be at Palmetto, but they're booked up for Spring Break!

Thanks everyone!  Very quick answers.  Best site I've been on so far!

Make sure to let us know what Thousand Trails Campground is like. I would like to make a trip to San Antonio and woulkd like to know all my options.

Thanks

CajunCamper