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Buy a Kampgrounds of America Franchise

Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is North America’s largest system of privately owned campgrounds, founded in 1962 in Billings, Montana and franchising for more than six decades. The network spans 500+ locations across the United States and Canada and hosts close to 8 million camping nights a year, serving tent campers, RV travellers, cabin guests and the growing glamping market.

KOA operates three property tiers: KOA Journey campgrounds for overnight highway stops, KOA Holiday locations built as multi-day destinations, and KOA Resort properties centred on on-site recreation. Common amenities include pools, KampK9 dog parks, camp stores and organised activities, supported by the proprietary K2 reservation platform, the KOA.com booking site and a consumer mobile app.

Most franchisees join by converting an existing campground or RV park to the KOA brand, though building a new site or buying an established KOA are also routes in. The company remains privately held and also owns and operates more than 40 campgrounds of its own across North America.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Kampgrounds of America resales available

Why buy a Kampgrounds of America Franchise?

KOA is the most recognised name in camping across North America, and that brand equity is the core of the ownership case. National marketing, a loyalty programme and millions of annual visits to KOA.com and the KOA app channel reservations toward franchised campgrounds that an independent operator would have to chase alone. The K2 reservation and revenue-management platform adds data and pricing tools to help owners lift performance on an existing site.

Within a resilient outdoor-hospitality category, a KOA resale offers a tangible, real-estate-backed business with established cash flow, an existing guest base and a recognised brand already in place. Buying a KOA franchise this way can be faster and lower-risk than converting or building from scratch, since branding, signage and systems are already operating.

Kampgrounds of America Franchise Costs & Information

  • Minimum Qualifications

    • Initial Franchise Fee

      $15,000 - $45,000

    • Initial Investment

      $109,000 - $16,421,775

  • Royalty

    • Royalty Fee

      8%

  • Training & Support

    • 14.5-32.5 hours on the job training

    • 12 hours classroom training

    • Ongoing support

    • Marketing support

Kampgrounds of America – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    New owners train at KOA University (KOA-U) in Billings, Montana, a five-day programme on KOA systems and operations; the existing FF data cites 12 hours classroom plus 14.5–32.5 hours on-the-job training. Each franchisee is assigned a KOA Franchise Business Coach for on-site and ongoing support, and the proprietary K2 software runs bookings, pricing and reporting. Owners also receive national marketing via KOA.com and the KOA app, benchmarking data and access to KOA conventions. Resale buyers should confirm what KOA-U onboarding and K2 access transfer to incoming ownership.

  2. Ideal Owner

    KOA suits hands-on hospitality operators who enjoy guest experience and outdoor recreation. Because most campgrounds are owner-managed and often seasonal, the role blends day-to-day operations, staff and housekeeping management, guest service, events and local marketing with the realities of running a property and its grounds. Prior campground or hospitality experience helps but is not essential given KOA's training and coaching. The model appeals to families, couples and semi-retired owners who value a lifestyle business and on-site living, and who are comfortable balancing customer service with property and seasonal-cashflow management.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    KOA ranked number one in its category in Entrepreneur's 2024 Franchise 500 and has appeared consistently on that list, including a 2024 placement among Entrepreneur's Top Franchises for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Franchise Business Review has recognised KOA for franchisee satisfaction, naming it to its 2025 Culture100 list and its 2026 Top Franchises and Top Franchises for Women rankings. KOA was also named to the 2026 SOCi100 of most visible local enterprise brands. For resale buyers, this brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific campground's local reviews, occupancy and reputation.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US camping and caravanning market was valued at roughly $27.9 billion in 2025 and is forecast to keep growing (Mordor Intelligence). KOA's 2025 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report estimates more than 52 million Americans camped that year, with demand supported by RV travel, the rise of glamping and multi-generational interest in affordable outdoor trips. Camping is resilient, as travellers trade down to lower-cost domestic getaways in tighter economies, though individual campgrounds stay seasonal and weather-sensitive. For resale buyers, regional demand, drive-time catchment and local competition matter as much as national trends.

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