KOA’s Plot Twist: 4 Survival Tips for Campground Owners Who Hate Losing Deposits (and Guests)
Let’s be honest — KOA used to be the friendly neighbor of the campground world. You could book, cancel, change your mind three times, and still get your deposit back with a smile and maybe a free sticker. But now? If you blink the wrong way 7 days before your check-in, you can kiss that deposit goodbye.
That’s right: KOA’s gone corporate-cold. As of October 1st, they've torched their famously flexible 24-hour cancellation window. RVers and tenters now need a full 7 days’ notice. Cabins? Try 14 days. And oh yeah, there’s a $20 admin fee baked in no matter how on-time or angelic your cancellation might be.
So what does this mean for campground owners like you?
Well, if you're near a KOA and you're not rubbing your hands together with glee right now… you’re missing a big opportunity. 👀
This is your moment to press play on your bigger campground vision — one where you’re the savvy, welcoming, flexible oasis in a desert of rigid refund rules.
At Campground Accounting, we’ve been in the trenches — not just behind spreadsheets but behind steering wheels, too. (We travel by RV, remember?) And we’ve crafted 4 game-changing moves campground owners can take right now to turn KOA’s hardline policy into your big beautiful advantage.
Because here’s the truth: Travelers want options. They want empathy. And they want a place to park their RV that doesn’t come with a side of surprise fees and cancellation drama.
💥 Want to be that campground — the one guests remember for the right reasons?
💡 Want to transform policy shifts into booking boosts?
🧠 Want to breathe life back into your business without the overwhelm?
Then don’t miss this.
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Donna Bordeaux, CPA with Campground Accounting
Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together. Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people. Well, it’s time to break that stereotype. Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA, as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux. They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs. They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams. They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.