Kampgrounds of America (KOA) announced the 2026 recipients of its ICON Award and World Class Guest Service designation, recognizing top-tier performance across its North American network.
The recognition programs evaluate campgrounds based on guest satisfaction metrics and operational growth. The ICON Award is reserved for the top 10% of the more than 500 campgrounds in the KOA system.
Recipients of the ICON Award are selected using performance-based criteria, including year-over-year growth in registrations and engagement with brand excellence programs. A primary factor in the selection process is the Net Promoter Score, a metric used to quantify guest loyalty and satisfaction.
The World Class Guest Service designation specifically honors locations that achieved an NPS of 70 or higher during the 2025 calendar year. More than 300 campgrounds earned this distinction for 2026.
“Exceptional guest experiences are created with consistency, care, and a deep understanding of what today’s campers value,” said Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of KOA. “The campgrounds recognized through our ICON and World Class Guest Service programs represent the very best of KOA.”
The awards highlight a broader strategy within the outdoor hospitality sector to use data-driven feedback to drive occupancy and repeat business. These high-performing locations set benchmarks for quality and consistency that influence the wider franchise network.
O’Rourke said the recognized campgrounds deliver dependable experiences that encourage guests to return and recommend the brand to other travelers.
Several locations were recognized with the 2026 ICON Award, including Mt. Lassen/Shingletown KOA Holiday and San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA Resort in California, Mitchell KOA Journey in South Dakota, Buffalo KOA Journey in Wyoming, and Sault Ste. Marie KOA Holiday in Ontario.
“With a strong focus on measurable results, guest feedback, and brand participation, KOA continues to set industry benchmarks for quality and consistency across its network of campgrounds,” the press release states.
For more information about the complete list of winners, visit their website here.