# KOA > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/KOA > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/KOA.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KOA > Source revision: 1356846356 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Chain of campgrounds in the US and Canada For other topics named similarly, see [Koa (disambiguation)](/source/Koa_(disambiguation)). Kampgrounds of America Type Private Industry Amusement Recreation Founded 1962 Founder Dave Drum Headquarters 1205 N Transtech Way, Billings, Montana , United States Area served United States, Canada Key people Toby O'Rourke (CEO) Services RV parks Campgrounds Owner Oscar Tang Agnes Hsu-Tang[1] Website www.koa.com **KOA** (short for Kampgrounds [*[sic](/source/Sic)*] of America) is an American [franchise](/source/Franchising) of privately owned campgrounds. Having more than 500 locations across the United States and Canada, is the world's largest system of privately owned campgrounds.[2][3] It was founded in 1962 and is based in [Billings, Montana](/source/Billings%2C_Montana), United States. The current president and CEO of KOA is Toby O’Rourke.[4] ## History KOA was founded in 1962 in Billings, Montana, by businessmen Dave Drum, John Wallace and two other partners. Drum got the idea to start the campgrounds while walking his property along the [Yellowstone River](/source/Yellowstone_River) and seeing travelers heading to the [Seattle World's Fair](/source/Seattle_World's_Fair). The first campsites, known as Billings Campground, were located on Drum's property north of the Yellowstone River. For $1.75 per night, campers could pitch their tent on a campsite that included a picnic table and fire ring. This first campground also provided hot showers, restrooms, and a small store.[5] The campground was quickly successful and by the summer of 1963, Drum, Wallace and their partners decided to create a system of campgrounds throughout North America. They named the company Kampgrounds of America and began selling [franchises](/source/Franchising).[5] In 1969, KOA became a public company.[6] 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 [1970s energy crisis](/source/1970s_energy_crisis) caused the collapse of many travel-oriented businesses, and KOA's stock price sharply declined as fewer Americans drove for vacations. New York City financier [Oscar Tang](/source/Oscar_Tang), a major stockholder at the time, purchased the company in its entirety after the 1979 oil crisis.[6] However, by 1982 KOA franchises had increased to nearly 900. By 2002, after stricter quality standards weeded out many campgrounds, KOA campgrounds numbered almost 500, with most being in the United States.[7] KOA annually inspects each campground with a 600-point inspection, which it claims is the most stringent in the business.[8] In 2015, [Jim Rogers](/source/James_D._Rogers) stepped down as CEO after 15 years and was replaced by the president of the company, Pat Hittmeier. In April 2019, Hittmeier retired, and was replaced by new CEO Toby O'Rourke, the first woman to hold that position in the company's 57-year history.[9] - Entrance to [Lake Panasoffkee](/source/Lake_Panasoffkee), [Florida](/source/Florida) KOA - Reception of a KOA campground in [Shingletown, California](/source/Shingletown%2C_California) - KOA campground, [Petersburg, Michigan](/source/Petersburg%2C_Michigan) - Creekside campsite at Jonestown/Hershey NE KOA Journey in [Jonestown, Pennsylvania](/source/Jonestown%2C_Columbia_County%2C_Pennsylvania) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-yellow_whistle_1-0)** ["Join KOA in Supporting The Yellow Whistle to stop Asian Hate"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210908055250/https://koa.com/blog/join-koa-in-supporting-the-yellow-whistle-to-stop-asian-hate/). *KOA Blog*. Archived from [the original](https://koa.com/blog/join-koa-in-supporting-the-yellow-whistle-to-stop-asian-hate/) on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["KOA: 50 Years Of Family Camping"](https://familyrvingmag.com/2012/12/01/koa-50-years-of-family-camping/). *Family RVing Magazine*. December 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Welcome"](http://www.koapressroom.com/). KOA Press Room. Retrieved August 25, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Klemann, Dustin (December 30, 2015). ["Kampgrounds of America announces change in leadership"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161111062256/http://www.ktvq.com/story/30854563/kampgrounds-of-america-announces-change-in-leadership). KTVQ. Archived from [the original](http://www.ktvq.com/story/30854563/kampgrounds-of-america-announces-change-in-leadership) on November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Billings_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Billings_5-1) Howard, Tom (September 1, 2012). ["KOA's history started with a good idea and a humble campground"](https://billingsgazette.com/business/features/koa-s-history-started-with-a-good-idea-and-a/article_67af2f6a-cece-526d-82dc-d51e34799174.html). *The Billings Gazette*. Billings, Montana. Retrieved January 9, 2017. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-koa_history_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-koa_history_6-1) ["KOA History"](http://www.koapressroom.com/press-kit/koa-history/). KOA Press Room. Retrieved September 8, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Falstad, Jan (August 3, 2002). ["Homegrown camping company celebrates 40 year anniversary"](https://billingsgazette.com/business/homegrown-camping-company-celebrates-year-anniversary/article_49d41fe7-3d35-5bb0-8aa9-c6ebb2520694.html). *The Billings Gazette*. Retrieved December 31, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Tomaszewski, Lois (October 8, 2018). ["Routine Maintenance Is Critical for Happy Campers"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250328193445/https://rvingusa.com/the-buzz-articles/the-news/routine-maintenance-is-critical-for-happy-campers-1). RVing USA. Archived from [the original](https://mobilerving.com/the-buzz-articles/features/routine-maintenance-is-critical-for-happy-campers-1) on March 28, 2025. Retrieved March 28, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Olson, Erik (December 30, 2015). ["KOA announces new CEO"](https://billingsgazette.com/business/koa-announces-new-ceo/article_8b2c4433-daf9-5801-a44d-a6b2c29d3cfd.html). *The Billings Gazette*. Retrieved December 31, 2015. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Kampgrounds of America (KOA)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Kampgrounds_of_America_(KOA)). - [Official website](https://koa.com/) v t e City of Billings Billings metropolitan area General Buildings Flag Mayors Media Sections School district Timeline Billings, Montana Attractions Boothill Cemetery Four Dances Natural Area Lake Elmo State Park Moss Mansion Pictograph Cave Skypoint Western Heritage Center Yellowstone Art Museum ZooMontana Economy Conlin's Furniture First Interstate BancSystem KOA Par Pacific Refinery Phillips 66 Refinery Western Sugar Cooperative Education Secondary Central Catholic Senior Skyview West Postsecondary Montana State University Billings (City College) Rocky Mountain College Rocky Vista University Geography BBWA Canal Rimrocks (Coburn Hill) Yellowstone River Healthcare Billings Clinic St. Vincent Regional Hospital Religion Billings Montana Temple Billings First Congregational Church St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral Sports Billings Mustangs NILE Rodeo Montana State Billings Yellowjackets Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears Transportation Billings Depot Billings Logan International Airport Billings Metropolitan Transit I-90 US 87 MT 3 Venues Alberta Bair Theater Babcock Theatre Centennial Ice Arena Dehler Park Diamond X MetraPark Category Commons People from Billings Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF National United States --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [KOA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KOA) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KOA?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.