New KOA Campgrounds Announced In 2021 Directory
KOA’s iconic yellow flag with the black and red teepee is showing up in more locations this year. In fact, in the past four years, Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) has seen a significant uptick in new campgrounds joining the franchise.
Some locations were existing campgrounds undergoing the process of becoming a KOA park, and others were brand-new construction projects. Since 2017, KOA franchises have opened 8 new construction campgrounds. This year, there are 12 parks either in the planning or construction stages.
KOA’s annual directory will be featuring some 525 campgrounds for campers to visit. Among those listed include 11 brand new locations. KOA introduced six of the 11 campgrounds to be featured in the directory in a recent post on its blog.
When asked about why the remaining five were not detailed in the article, a spokesperson for KOA responded,
“As the article notes, there are eleven new KOAs in our directory this year. Those not yet announced aren’t quite ready to be announced officially but will be welcoming campers this year. We also expect additional new KOAs, but they won’t be a part of our KOA Directory that is released in March.”
The representative went on to state that folks can stay abreast of KOA updates, including campground additions, via their KOA blog and added that they can make reservations online at KOA.com.
New KOA campgrounds
The following six locations have been announced as official KOA campgrounds.
1. Harrison KOA
Harrison KOA, formerly Parkers RV Park, is located in Arkansas and open year-round. RVers can choose between a full hook up pull thru or shady back-in RV sites, both with WiFi, cable, and a fire ring. Large tent sites are also available with water and electric hookups and a picnic table. Family and friends can gather together at the campground’s pavilion or sit around the community fire pit and grill.
Harrison KOA’s location gives visitors the best of both worlds, between seclusion and city life. Outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, canoeing, and scenic drives on the motorcycle can be enjoyed in the Ozark Mountains. Folks that want vacation getaways with a bit of entertainment can see a show at nearby Branson, Missouri.
2. Moore Haven KOA
Another campground open all year, Moore Haven KOA, is located in a small Florida town near Lake Okeechobee. It is between a one to two-hour drive from popular destinations like Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and the Gulf Coast.
RVers can choose between a full hook up site on grass, gravel, or concrete, all with picnic tables or patio furniture. There are also fully-furnished park models to rent, linens included. The camp caters to fishermen with their on-site boat storage. Campers can swim in the heated pool, give their dog some exercise in the dog park, or participate in a game of petanque.
3. Houlton/Canadian Border KOA
The closest KOA to the Maine-Canada border, Houlton/ Canadian Border KOA, is open to campers from May 8 to October 15. Guests can stay in an RV site, tent site, or rent a glamping tent. The glamping tents are outfitted with a queen bed with bedding and towels, a mini-fridge, Keurig coffee maker, and air conditioning or heat. Campers can take part in a game of corn hole or basketball or take a stroll on the many trails circling ponds or the back of the park.
Houlton is located in the heart of Maine’s potato country and just a stone’s throw away from the Canadian border. There are many local attractions in Houlton, including the Riverside Park and Temple Theatre, or take a short drive to Smyrna Mills and shop at the Amish store, Pioneer Place.
4. Weidman KOA Holiday
From May 1st thru October 15th, folks can enjoy all the amenities that are offered at this central Michigan KOA campground. Campers will hardly have time to visit the local scene or nearby towns of Mt. Pleasant or Big Rapids with all this KOA Holiday has to offer.
Weidman KOA has a swimming pond, peddle bikes, a basketball court, beach volleyball, a playground area, walking trails, a gift shop, and an ice cream parlor. Guests can opt to stay in an RV site (with or without full hook ups), a tent site, or a rustic cabin.
5. Newberry/ I-26/ Sumter NF KOA
Formerly Magnolia RV Park and Campground, this new KOA addition in South Carolina is close to Lake Murray and Sumter National Forest. Located less than a mile off Exit 60 on Interstate 26 in Kinards, visitors can stop any time of the year.
Newberry/ I-26/ Sumter NF KOA has pull-thru and back-in RV sites, tent sites, or a deluxe cabin to choose from. It is a small park, sitting on a mere 19 acres. Still, it has many amenities campers can use, including the campground’s saltwater pool, playground, and an outdoor movie theater.
6. Jonesborough/ Cherokee NF KOA
March 1-December 13 is the camping season at Jonesborough/ Cherokee NF KOA, formerly known as Riverpark Campground. Located along the Nolichucky River, campers have an array of unique camping options. These include RVing along the serene riverfront, staying in one of the shady tent sites, or glamping in a 1949 vintage camper, fairy wagon, or in a caboose.
Guests can fish in the river, play lawn games like horseshoes, or grab some necessities at the country store. Off the campground, visitors can check out all the sites in Historic Jonesborough or breath in some fresh air on one of the many hiking trails in Cherokee National Forest.
Why camp at KOA campgrounds?
Never camped at a KOA before? In the video below, RVers Trent & Siobhán of Everyday Family Adventure give five reasons why every outdoor enthusiast should visit at least one KOA campground.
Whether you and your family are planning to stay at a KOA Journeys, Holidays, or Resorts, you can be sure to find honest customer ratings on RV LIFE Campgrounds. Plus, you can be sure that you will have a safe route to get to your destination using the RV-friendly trip planning tool RV LIFE Trip Wizard with the accompanying RV LIFE App.
See also: Video Tour: Fancy Gap KOA Campground
Natalie Henley is a freelance writer and has also been full-time RVing with her husband and pets since 2015. She covers a wide range of topics from RV lifestyle, RVing tips, DIY projects, RV news, and more.