KOA and RV Park Chain Pricing: What the Big Franchises Charge
KOA full hookup sites run $45-$65/night at Journey locations and $55-$85/night at Holiday campgrounds as of 2025. Resort locations push $75-$130/night. Chains like Jellystone Park and Sun Outdoors operate in similar bands. Independent parks in the same market typically run 15-25% below chain rates for a comparable hookup tier. Knowing where chain pricing lands gives travelers a reliable ceiling when deciding whether an independent park nearby is competitive or overpriced.
KOA: The Benchmark Chain
Kampgrounds of America operates more than 500 campgrounds across the United States and Canada, making it the largest franchised campground network in North America. KOA divides its properties into three tiers with distinct pricing bands and amenity expectations.
Individual franchisees set their own rates within the brand standards, so KOA does not publish a single national fee schedule. The ranges below reflect data from the KOA North American Camping Report, Campendium user-reported rates, and The Dyrt listings.
KOA Journey, Holiday, and Resort: What Each Tier Charges
KOA Journey
Journey campgrounds are built for road travelers making overnight stops. Hookups are standard (electric, water, sewer), bathhouses are functional, and amenities stay minimal. Pools are not universal. Dog parks and laundry facilities are common.
Typical full hookup nightly range: $45-$65.
Journey pricing benchmarks closest to mid-range independent park rates. The brand adds online reservation access and standardized cleanliness expectations; the campground itself often resembles a well-maintained independent.
KOA Holiday
Holiday campgrounds target multi-night leisure stays. Pools, playgrounds, camp stores, and activity programming are standard. Sites are typically larger, and 50-amp service is widely available.
Typical full hookup nightly range: $55-$85. Coastal, mountain, and urban-adjacent Holiday locations push above $90-$100/night during peak summer weeks.
KOA Resort
Resort campgrounds are the premium KOA product. Amenities include pools, hot tubs, fitness facilities, and planned activities. Some locations offer golf cart rentals and on-site dining.
Typical full hookup nightly range: $75-$130+. Properties near the Smoky Mountains, coastal Florida, and national park entrances price at the upper end from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Chain Pricing vs. Independent Parks
The franchise premium is real and consistent. KOA and similar chains carry overhead that independent parks do not: national reservation infrastructure, brand marketing budgets, and loyalty program administration. Franchisees also pay ongoing royalty fees to the parent organization. That overhead flows into nightly rates.
In markets with both chain and independent parks, independent full hookup sites typically price $10-$20/night below the chain equivalent for a comparable hookup tier, based on rate comparisons across Campendium listings and The Dyrt user data. The gap narrows in rural markets with limited supply, where the KOA may be the only full hookup option for 30 miles and independents price accordingly.
What the franchise premium buys: reservable online inventory, flexible cancellation windows, standardized bathhouse quality, and loyalty points toward future stays.
What it does not guarantee: natural setting, privacy, or competitive value relative to nearby independents with the same hookup tier.
Other Major Chains and What They Charge
Jellystone Park (Yogi Bear's Jellystone)
Jellystone operates roughly 80 resorts in the United States and Canada. The format is family destination camping: waterparks, themed character activities, and higher-end bathhouses are the draw. Most guests treat the campground as the destination, not a stopover.
Typical full hookup nightly range: $55-$95. Peak summer weekends at high-traffic locations regularly exceed $100/night. On-site waterpark access is included in the rate at most properties, which makes the premium easier to justify for families with children.
Sun Outdoors (Sun Communities)
Sun Communities operates Sun Outdoors properties across coastal and high-demand markets. The portfolio skews toward resort-style parks rather than roadside stops.
Typical full hookup nightly range: $55-$110/night. Coastal locations (Outer Banks, Cape Cod, Gulf Coast) price at the upper end year-round. Interior and shoulder-season locations run lower.
Encore RV Resorts (Equity LifeStyle Properties)
Encore is operated by Equity LifeStyle Properties, the same public company behind the Thousand Trails network. Encore properties are positioned as destination resort parks, concentrated in Florida, California, and the Pacific Northwest.
Typical full hookup nightly range: $60-$120/night. ELS publishes rate and occupancy data in its annual investor report, which reflects the portfolio's overall pricing trajectory across campground brands.
Chain Pricing by Region
Chain rates shift by geography the same way independent rates do. The tier ranges above reflect national medians. Regional premiums apply:
| Region | KOA Holiday Typical Full Hookup | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (Oct-Apr) | $70-$110 | Snowbird season drives significant premium |
| California coast | $75-$120 | Year-round demand, constrained supply |
| Smoky Mountains / Southeast | $60-$95 | Peak Memorial Day through October |
| Southwest (AZ/NM) | $50-$75 | Winter premium at snowbird-adjacent properties |
| Texas | $45-$70 | Gulf Coast higher; interior lower |
| Midwest | $40-$60 | Below national average; mostly Apr-Oct operations |
| Northeast | $60-$95 | Memorial Day through Labor Day only at most locations |
The Southeast and Midwest consistently offer the lowest chain rates, for the same reason they offer lower independent rates: land is cheaper and competition is higher.
KOA Value Kard Rewards: Does It Close the Gap?
The KOA Value Kard Rewards program costs $33/year and delivers 10% off nightly rates at participating KOA campgrounds. It does not apply to weekly or monthly stays.
At a $65/night Holiday site, the 10% discount saves $6.50 per night. The card pays for itself in six qualifying stays. For road trippers hitting KOA campgrounds five or more times per year, the math is straightforward.
For anyone booking weekly or monthly stays, the card provides no benefit. Monthly rates at KOA and other chains are a separate pricing category, and the discount terms do not extend to them. How this compares to Passport America, Thousand Trails, and Good Sam is covered in the RV membership clubs cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a KOA campground charge per night? KOA Journey sites run $45-$65/night for full hookup as of 2025. KOA Holiday campgrounds run $55-$85/night. KOA Resort locations charge $75-$130/night, with coastal and national park-adjacent properties at the upper end during peak season. Individual franchisees set their own rates; use the KOA campground finder to check specific locations.
Are KOA campgrounds more expensive than independent RV parks? Typically yes, by 15-25% for a comparable hookup tier in the same market. The premium reflects national reservation infrastructure, brand marketing, and franchise royalty costs. The gap narrows in rural markets where KOA may be the only full hookup park within range.
What is the cheapest KOA tier? KOA Journey campgrounds carry the lowest nightly rates. They target road travelers making overnight stops rather than destination campers. Amenities are functional rather than resort-focused, and pricing reflects that.
Does the KOA Value Kard work on weekly or monthly rates? No. The 10% discount applies to nightly rates at participating campgrounds only. Weekly and monthly rates are a separate pricing category and are not covered. Full-timers and snowbirds planning extended stays get no benefit from the card.
What other national chains charge rates comparable to KOA? Jellystone Park runs $55-$95/night for full hookup, skewing toward family destination camping with waterpark access built in. Sun Outdoors properties range $55-$110/night, concentrated in coastal markets. Encore RV Resorts run $60-$120/night at destination locations. All three chains carry a consistent premium over independent parks offering the same hookup tier in the same geographic area.