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 US 10 on the way west to the Seattle World's Fair.

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 campground nearly every night, talking to campers about their desires. They told Drum they only wished they could stay in quality campgrounds throughout their travels.

By the summer of 1963, Drum had two partners and a vision to create a system of campgrounds 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 camping season, KOA had 262 campgrounds in operation across the U.S. By 1972, just 10 years after KOA's creation, the franchise system had grown to 600 campgrounds.

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 it believes in asking campers what they think, and meticulously inspecting its campgrounds to ensure they all meet the high standards of quality campers demand. KOA's annual 600-point campground inspection is the most stringent in the business.

That means not every campground can be a KOA Kampground. The nearly 500 campgrounds that now fly the yellow KOA flag earn that right every day by providing campers a clean, safe and affordable place to relax. Campers know that when they see the KOA flag they can count on getting the one-of-a-kind camping experience that only KOA offers.

Buckwheat Estates
Waterborough Parish

Camping Lac Vert
Val-des-Bois, Quebec

Camping Panoramique
Portneuf, Quebec

Domaine Dynastie
Lac Simon, Quebec

Sherkston Shore
Sherkston, Ontario

Six Foot Bay
Lakefield, Ontario

Merganser Bay Resort
Lumby, British Columbia

Red Eagle Campground
Coe Hill, Ontario