Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) recognized several campgrounds across its network during its annual Convention & Expo held in Raleigh, North Carolina, announcing awards that highlight achievement in guest experience, operations, and long-term development.
The 2026 Rising Star, the Owned Asset of KOA (OAK) Campground of the Year, and the 2026 Campground of the Year awards reflect ongoing investment trends within KOA’s system and provide insight into how properties are expanding amenities, infrastructure, and operational models.
The Buffalo KOA Journey in Buffalo, Wyoming, owned by Paul and Anita Peoples and their family, received KOA’s 2026 Rising Star Award. The recognition is reserved for campgrounds whose owners have been in place for less than five years and have demonstrated notable progress in facility improvements, guest satisfaction, and community engagement.
Since purchasing the property, the Peoples family has expanded the campground by five acres along Clear Creek, adding 22 new sites with views of the Bighorn Mountains.
The family collaborated with KOA’s Campground Design Services team on upgrades, including full-hookup RV sites, streaming-capable Wi-Fi, solar panel installation, and attainment of KOA Green certification.
In presenting the award, KOA President and CEO Toby O’Rourke said, “The Peoples family embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and warmth that define KOA’s next generation of campground owners.”
The couple became involved with KOA after attending the Buyer’s Workshop in Nashville years earlier, ultimately purchasing their first campground in Abilene, Texas. According to owner Paul Peoples, “We met the previous owners, stayed two nights, and by the time we returned to Texas, we knew Buffalo was home.”
Guest satisfaction has increased, supported in part by upgraded furniture, commercial-grade fire pits, and the restoration of a two-story log cabin office. The park now reports a Net Promoter Score of 89, among the highest in the KOA system. The campground’s next generation of operators—daughter Rowan and her husband—manage daily operations alongside other family members.
KOA also named the South Padre Island KOA Holiday in South Padre Island, Texas, as the 2026 Owned Asset of KOA (OAK) Campground of the Year. The company-owned campground, managed by General Manager Kristi Cline and Assistant Manager Randy Stene, reported record performance across nearly all metrics in 2025.
O’Rourke said, “Kristi and her team have created a true coastal oasis for KOA guests,” noting the team’s operational consistency even during periods of major construction.
Major projects completed in the past year include 22 new waterfront KOA Patio Sites, a new recreation building with a bathhouse, kitchen, laundry, and fitness center, and a new maintenance and office building with expanded operational areas.
The campground also finished a new sea wall designed to reinforce and improve the waterfront. These developments contributed to both guest satisfaction and the property’s long-term resilience.
The award also acknowledged members of KOA’s broader OAK team who contributed to the South Padre Island KOA Holiday’s performance throughout the year. Those recognized include OAK Regional Vice President Robyn Koromhas, OAK Regional Revenue Manager Corey Wilkinson, OAK Regional Marketing Manager Makenzie Peter, and KOA Development Project Manager Eric Koromhas, whose combined support helped guide the campground through significant development projects while maintaining strong operational results.
The campground features more than 200 sites, including pull-thru RV sites, Deluxe Cabins, tent sites, a heated pool, fishing pier, pavilion, and waterfront recreation rentals.
The 2026 KOA Campground of the Year was awarded to the San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA Resort in Petaluma, California, owned by Chris and Pauline Wood and their family. The Woods have operated the property for more than 50 years, growing it from an 84-site campground into a 312-site resort.
Located 30 miles north of San Francisco in Sonoma County, the park now serves both local and international guests and partners with regional tourism organizations. O’Rourke said, “The San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA Resort exemplifies the spirit of KOA.”
Over time, the Woods invested in redesigned playgrounds, fiber-optic Wi-Fi, themed weekend events, upgraded lodging, and an on-site food truck. Pauline Wood said, “We made a decision not to grow out, but to grow up,” referring to their approach to redevelopment.
The next generation—Caitlin Wood and Tyler Wood—now leads operations, a transition that Chris Wood said has resulted in breaking “every record this year.”
For outdoor hospitality operators, KOA’s 2026 award recipients illustrate how strategic reinvestment, expanded amenities, and multigenerational leadership contribute to sustained competitiveness.
Trends highlighted by these properties—including upgraded Wi-Fi, site premiumization, renewable energy integration, and expanded recreation facilities—reflect broader consumer expectations across the RV, glamping, and outdoor lodging sectors.
KOA, which operates more than 500 franchised and owned campgrounds, continues to emphasize design support, education, and marketing resources for owners across its brands. The awards presented in Raleigh underscore the company’s focus on both long-term development and operational performance.