Just to give you a starting place we have selected a few participating KOA locations with proximity to historic spots or awesome natural beauty. There are hundreds more located within the KOA master directory. View the full list of participating KOA Kampgrounds. Then, click on the campground where you'd like to stay, and make your reservations!

West Virginia: Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA. This KOA puts you in the heart of Civil War country, 65 miles from the nation’s capital. They have 280 sites, 42 Kabins/Lodges, a conference center, gym, a movie theater and an Olympic-sized pool. Relive history at this historic location; camp next to a trench where Civil War soldiers faced off; explore the site of John Brown’s raid; visit Antietam and other battlefields nearby. Bonus points: Weekends are capped by a ceremonial cannon-firing at the on-site Civil War Reenactment Museum. Need to know: The Appalachian Trail and the C & O Canal run through town, just two miles away.  (Harpers Ferry/ Civil War Battlefields KOA 343 Campground Road Harpers Ferry, WV 25425)

Illinois: Springfield KOA.  Illinois’ capital forms the heart of Abraham Lincoln country and located southeast of the city, this KOA offers a quiet country setting with covered tent sites, level pull-throughs, a heated pool, mini golf and nearby camper rentals. Tour the 16th president’s home; view the new Lincoln Library and Museum; pay your respects at Lincoln’s Tomb; visit the New Salem State Historic Site where costumed guides re-create the 1830s town where the future president lived and worked. Bonus points: Free Wi-Fi. Need to know: For nostalgia buffs, get your kicks on Route 66, where you’ll find a museum, shops and a drive-in diner. (Springfield KOA 4320 KOA Road Rochester, IL 62563. (217) 498-7002 or toll-free 1-800-562-7212)

 

Wyoming: Cody KOA. A mountain view comes with your campsite on a grassy meadow east of this frontier town founded by showman and Wild West icon Buffalo Bill. Swim in the full-size pool or soak in the hot tub while the little ones splash in a separate wading pool. On your own, fly-fish the Shoshone River and tour the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, climbing high into the Rockies. Regular evening events include Thursday bingo, Friday ice cream social and Saturday s'mores. Investigate The Buffalo Bill Historical Center which includes five museums featuring art, Native American artifacts and exhibits chronicling the man. Bonus points: Stay with them and take advantage of all-you-can-eat pancakes served daily for just $2. Need to know: A shuttle runs to the Cody Nite Rodeo every summer evening. (Cody KOA 5561 Greybull Highway Cody, WY 82414. (307) 587-2369 or toll-free 1-800-562-8507)

Colorado: Cortez, Mesa Verde KOA. The towering flat-topped ridge of Mesa Verde National Park rises less than 15 minutes away from this KOA near the four corners where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet. After visiting the 700-year-old cliff dwellings in the park’s canyon walls, return to your own high desert oasis. Swim in the heated pool and soak in the hot tub or round up a game of basketball, volleyball or horseshoes. Bonus points: If you want a taste of Native American life, stay overnight in one of the campground’s tepees. Need to know: In addition to Mesa Verde, Native American life is chronicled at Hovenweep National Monument and the Anasazi Heritage Center. (Cortez / Mesa Verde KOA  27432 E. Highway 160 Cortez, CO 81321. (970) 565-9301 or toll-free 1- 800-562-3901)

Texas: South Padre Island KOA. Located on a slim finger of land surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre Bay, this location offers all kinds of water adventures. Enjoy deep-sea or bay fishing with Osprey Fishing Trips, boating (KOA has its own boat launch), dolphin spotting and shelling. Swim in KOA's 25-meter pool, the bay or Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark directly across the street. There's plenty to do on land, too, thanks to the campground's fitness center, recreation room and on-site FishBones Pier and Grill. Enjoy fishing at no charge and relax  in the hot tub/sauna at no additional cost. Bonus points: RV sites include free wireless Internet service and expanded cable. Need to know: Many of the campground's unique condos feature fully equipped kitchens. (South Padre Island KOA 1 Padre Blvd  South Padre Island, TX 78597 Toll-free 1- 800-562-9724)

Northern California: Crescent City Redwoods KOA.  Located in the heart of America's Wild Rivers Coast the 17-acre campground offers 10 acres of camping in a beautiful redwood forest with pull-throughs full hook-up RV sites and 1 or 2-bedroom Kamping Kabins. Enjoy hundreds of beautiful hiking trails through the famous Redwood Forest, swim, fish and raft in the pristine Smith River or spend long leisure filled days on our breathtaking beaches. Enjoy campfires all year long.  All full hook-up sites include cable TV and free wireless internet is available from most sites. Bonus points: During the summer months join us for ice cream socials, pancake breakfasts and movie nights. Need to know: Located just minutes from Redwood National and State Parks, the Smith River National Recreation Area, Battery Point Lighthouse and magnificent Pacific beaches. (Crescent City/Redwoods KOA 4241 Highway 101 North Crescent City, CA 95531. (707) 464-5744 or toll-free 1-800- 562-5754)

USA/Canada: KOA, No tent? No problem. Like everything else camping is easier than it used to be so getting closer to nature does not have to be painful. At Kampgrounds of America a camping vacation can be arranged even if you do not own a tent or camping paraphernalia. Just show up with your sleeping bags, pillow, a cooler, flashlight and the rest will be easy. Easy that is if you have reserved a cozy   Kamping Kabin or Kottage at a KOA campsite. Compact and cozy, the log units have electric lights, lockable doors, and wood-frame beds with mattresses. Even more posh, at some locations they have Kamping Cottages, units with kitchens, private bath and a little extra room. Still another possibility at several locations is to rent one of the RVs parked onsite. What could be simpler? It’s a way to go camping with someone else’s gear. Editor’s note: We have stayed in a cozy Kamping Kabin. Imagine going to a sleepover in a summerhouse with the kids. It was a sleeping adventure complete with spooky flashlight stories and plenty of giggles. Our unit had bunk beds, a porch with a swing and our dog was welcome. It was a short walk along a lighted path to the restroom, ping-pong and snacks. We were roughing it as far as grandma was concerned and it was effortless fun.

 

Check out the Family Zone. Browse the KOA website for the locations with Kamping Kabins, Kottages or lodges. Want camping with the family to be easy? Browse the “Family Zone” at the KOA website. I like to see websites with sections dedicated to families. Lots of companies claim to be family friendly but KOA truly is. The Family Zone was developed to make camping with the kids a pleasant experience. It contains almost everything to make fun happen without the planning time normally needed. From timely advice and useful checklists to campfire-tested recipes and family activities, just browse, decide, download and go for the fun of it. The website includes categories that make sense to parents or grandparents who are in the vacation planning mode. Browse the categories: Camping 101, Camping Activities, Campfire Stories, Camping Recipes, Family Activities, Post Cards and a Trip Book. 

A reality check. The information at the KOA website actually matches the reality of camping with KOA. They have thought of everything to make camping easy to do with kids. From pancake breakfasts and pool parties to nature walks and trail rides, KOA helps families experience the outdoors in a safe, friendly environment. They know from experience that just the chance to break away from the ordinary routine makes all the difference to families. The bonus with KOA is the opportunity to learn new skills, experience the outdoors, and enjoy downtime while building memories. For busy families, KOA Family Zone makes the doing part easy. Get the full KOA Family Zone picture at www.koa.com