We stayed at our first KOA in Townsend this weekend. It was a nice campground, clean and lots of ammenities, but I don't think I like them very much. We had to pay $65 a night for an electric/water site, no sewer. We were, however, right on the river, which was very nice. Then when we went to leave they made us pay to use the dump station. I was a bit appalled by that. Most of the ammenities they provided, other than the pool, are standard in most parks you go to. The other things they had were all for a fee...golf carts, 3 wheel bikes, tubes for tubing in the river. I don't like to be nit-picked for money after they have already way overcharged me just to be there.

I asked an employee on Saturday what the dump fee was and he said it was free for registered campers but they were quick to run up to us while we were dumpin and tell us we had to pay. Grr. If I had known we were going to be charged we would have made a quick detour through one of the sewer sites that someone had vacated and use that for dumping!

I guess I'm spoiled. I like camping to be fairly simplistic and I don't like paying for a patch of gravel what I would have paid for a motel room.

wow did you get out of there with your first born child, you would think at least the dump station would be included.

This is exactly why we will be staying in a hotel in when we head up there in a couple of weeks. However, I also have to admit that I'm only paying $35/night with my employee rate. So, I'm saving money!

I hear you, Jan. Motel rooms are cheaper and you don't have to stop for gas 3x on the way up there. We were with our church youth group and it was a great trip, but I'm going to start researching some places to suggest for next year.

Our youth group had tent sites with a port-a-potty and no electric at all. There was one water spiggot for the lot. $40 a night for each site and we had six...probably 30 people on all those sites so I am sure they charge some per head. But still!

But, if it comes up again I am sure we will go again. Being with the group was the good part, even if it came with sacrifice.

I think I would definately do some research for the area and try to work up a group rate with the CG. Those rates would definately turn me away from "camping".

I don't remember what we paid at Lookout MTN. but it wasn't $65 a night,plus it was full hook up. Had the original number turned up for that weekend, we would have gotten a group rate. I would also file a complaint with KOA.

Do your research early so that you go to the group and argue your case

The KOA we went to at Georgia for the Cornbread Festival was an everything will cost you extra non luxury place. They rented us a TV and charged us another dollar for the coax cable. I have no fond attraction to the KOA's. For what they charge you would think they should set up your campsite and build you a fire.

If all campgrounds were like thse there would be fewer campers.

We're not really big fans of KOAs. We just never have had much luck with them.

We prefer National Parks, State Parks, COE, BLM, national forrests


Kim - who is very happy talking about camping again.