|
09-22-2012, 12:01 PM
|
#1
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ore City Texas
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #2224
|
Another view on KOA + a state park
Yesterday we had two nights reserved at Stone State Park in Iowa, just north of Sioux City. After a hard days drive (over 300 miles), and lots of road construction and 'bumpy' roads, we were looking forward to some rest. There was a complicated drive out to the park, and when we got in, the sites looked doubtful, but we pulled on up to a turn around loop. It was not turn around for us. NO WAY! It took us about one half hour of backing and pulling, and doubting at times that we could even do it. We finally got out, and decided we wouldn't stay there if they paid us. No one at the office. No check-in. Bad. Fortunately we found a place at the KOA in North Sioux City, SD--a very good place. And I even finally heard from a ranger at the state park where I had left a message. Refund? We will see.
I know KOA gets some hard knocks, maybe some deserved, but this one was a port in the time of storm late yesterday afternoon. A beautiful site, and the people could not have been nicer to us.
It is called North Sioux City KOA, right off I-29--no freeway noise.
|
|
|
09-22-2012, 01:00 PM
|
#2
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Garland
Posts: 450
M.O.C. #10688
|
We like the KOAs when we are traveling and have been blessed with few issues. Like any other campground, we check the KOAs against http://www.campgroundreviews.com and avoid the less desirable ones.
|
|
|
09-22-2012, 01:07 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
|
X2. KOA's can be small and hard to park in or large and easy to use. Just like other parks we find they come in all types.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
|
|
|
09-22-2012, 01:46 PM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Navarre
Posts: 1,527
M.O.C. #9765
|
KOA's can be somewhat of a crapshoot. I think its a management thing. Padredw, thanks again for putting us on to Vallecito. We stayed 3 months and will be seasonal next year. Didn't use the AC at all while there.
Mike
|
|
|
09-22-2012, 02:30 PM
|
#5
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ore City Texas
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #2224
|
Thanks, Mike, we have been enjoying Vallecito area for years. When we were younger and backpacking we came out at the trailhead and always looked forward to "solid" food and bath or shower. In those days we stayed in the rustic house-keeping cabins. I can't remember the names right now, but I know exactly where they were.
One time we rode the train up to Needle Creek and hiked over Columbine Pass and down Johnson Creek, coming out at the Vallecito trail head.
Another time (when we had a friend with an extra car) we hiked in from the Creede side and came out at that same trail head.
Glad you enjoyed it and have found a great place to spend the Summer.
|
|
|
09-29-2012, 03:31 AM
|
#6
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Tonawanda
Posts: 551
M.O.C. #3662
|
I prefer KOA's
|
|
|
10-11-2012, 03:13 AM
|
#7
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Powell
Posts: 250
M.O.C. #7880
|
We use KOA a lot for overnighting, they generally have great locations near interstate roadways. Often we are traveling to far with little time to do get there since we are still working but when retired and have less time restraints we may change our tactics.
|
|
|
10-11-2012, 04:46 AM
|
#8
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Billings
Posts: 106
M.O.C. #9410
|
We spent a nite at the KOA in Kennebeck, S.D.. Great place,nice folks, not too pricey.
|
|
|
10-11-2012, 06:40 AM
|
#9
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Bryant
Posts: 403
M.O.C. #12436
|
We have stayed at that KOA on two different occasions and each time we couldn't have asked for better service from the staff. Glad to hear that the customer service (and the park itself) is still good there.
|
|
|
10-11-2012, 06:49 AM
|
#10
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pagosa Springs
Posts: 3,711
M.O.C. #3120
|
You make a good point to always check out the reviews before driving there and being disappointed.
We've found that this site really helps. Most of the time, when someone gives a park a bad review, it is helpful to see if their other posts are bad....and then we can make a semi-educated decision.
http://www.campgroundreviews.com/regions/Iowa/Sioux_City.html
|
|
|
10-11-2012, 02:07 PM
|
#11
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
|
We prefer KOA for overnighters when in travel status.We ask for pull through full hooks ,50 amp service and we always get it.We have been in a couple of bad ones.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|