It Began With A Dream 48 Years Ago…

Kampgrounds of America has been providing quality family camping to travelers from around the world for the past 48 years.

DAVE DRUM

In those nearly five decades, the familiar yellow KOA sign has welcomed millions of campers to the 475 KOA Kampground locations throughout the United States and Canada.

KOA is proud of the role it plays in fulfilling the American dream - the freedom to travel anywhere you want, anytime you want.

KOA’s success story is a great story on many levels. Here’s how it all began:

The year was 1962. As Billings, Montana businessman Dave Drum walked his cottonwood-shaded land along the Yellowstone River, he watched baggage-laden cars and RVs zip down U.S. 10 on the way west to the Seattle World’s Fair.

Always Ask Kampers What They Desire

Drum knew affordable places to stay were few and far between for those weary travelers. He saw an opportunity.

Drum quickly constructed a campground on his land that offered hot showers, clean restrooms, a small store and a patch of grass - all for $1.75 a night.

The campground was an instant hit. Drum was on the kampground nearly every night, talking to kampers about their desires. They told Drum they only wished they could stay in quality kampgrounds throughout their travels.

By the summer of 1963, Drum had two partners and a vision to create a system of kampgrounds throughout North America. The familiar logo was created and franchises started to sell. Kampgrounds of America was up and running.

By the end of the 1969 kamping season, KOA had 262 kampgrounds in operation across the U.S. By 1972, just 10 years after KOA’s creation, the franchise system had grown to 600 kampgrounds.

Times were good. America’s love affair with the recreation vehicle was in full swing. Then came the Arab oil embargoes of 1973 and 1978. At a time when many travel-oriented businesses were failing, KOA was able to weather the storm due to the strength of its system. By 1982, nearly 900 KOA Kampgrounds were serving campers throughout North America.

Today, KOA remains strong because we believe in asking kampers what they think through its annual Kamper Satisfaction Surveys, and meticulously inspecting our campgrounds and working with owners and staff to ensure they all meet the high standards of quality our kampers demand. KOA’s annual 600-point kampground inspection is the most stringent in the business.

That means not every campground can be a KOA Kampground. The 475 campgrounds that now fly the yellow KOA flag earn that right every day by providing kampers a clean, safe, affordable and FUN place to relax. Kampers know that when they see the KOA flag, they can count on getting the one-of-a-kind kamping experience that only KOA offers.