Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is the world's largest system of privately held campgrounds with almost 500 locations across US and Canada. Known as KOA and featuring a distinctive yellow and red logo, Kampgrounds of America has become part of American popular culture.
KOA was founded in 1962. Billings, Montana businessman Dave Drum got the idea to start the campgrounds while walking his property along the Yellowstone River and seeing travellers heading to the Seattle World's Fair. Drum started a lodging business and constructed a campground on his land that offered hot showers, restrooms, and a small store.
The campground was quickly successful. Drum visited the campground nearly every night, talking to campers about their desires. From their conversations, Drum got the idea to expand his concept nationwide.
By the summer of 1963, Drum had two partners and the goal of creating a system of campgrounds throughout North America. The yellow logo was created, and Drum and his partners started selling franchises.
By the end of the 1969 camping season, KOA had 262 campgrounds in operation across the U.S. By 1972, 10 years after KOA's creation, KOA had 600 franchise campgrounds.
The Arab oil embargoes of 1973 and 1978 caused the collapse of many travel-oriented businesses. KOA, however, survived the troubles, which they credit to the strength of its system. By 1982, the KOA franchises had increased to nearly 900 campgrounds across North America.
Today, KOA annually inspects each campground with a 600-point inspection, which it claims is the most stringent in the business. In 2010 KOA campgrounds number over 470, according to their corporate website, with around 450 in the US.
The KOA in Terre Haute, Indiana has long, level pull-through sites with room to spare for even those Big Rigs with a tow. We have Camping Cabins with both heating and air conditioning, a full-service Deluxe Cabin with a private bathroom, full kitchen, beautiful patio and all the comforts of home. Our on-site Krossroads Cafe fills the air with home-cooked aromas of bacon and eggs in the morning as well as steak, burgers and pizza in the evening. Terre Haute offers year-round entertainment possibilities from the Boot City Opry, the Terre Haute Symphony, to the Hulman Center Concerts and Sporting events and Community Arts. We also have an ample supply of local museums, cinemas, restaurants and historic treasures, as well as plenty of shopping opportunities within minutes of the campground.