Buffalo KOA Journey in Buffalo, Wyoming, has been named Kampgrounds of America (KOA) 2026 Rising Star, an annual award recognizing campgrounds whose owners have been in place less than five years and have demonstrated exceptional progress in guest service, facility upgrades, and community engagement.
The announcement was made during KOA’s annual Convention & Expo in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The property is owned and operated by Paul and Anita Peoples and their family, who have focused on expanding and enhancing the park since acquiring it.
The campground operates as a multigenerational business. The family’s oldest daughter, Rowan, oversees daily operations alongside her husband. Daughters Caitlin, Alyssa, and Morgan also contribute to the park’s continued development.
Their efforts include a five-acre expansion along Clear Creek, where they created a 22-site addition featuring views of the nearby Bighorn Mountains.
Working with KOA’s Campground Design Services team, the Peoples upgraded every RV site with full hookups and invested in technology improvements, including streaming-capable Wi-Fi.
The campground also installed solar panels and earned KOA Green certification.
According to a press release, Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of KOA, recognized the Peoples family for their contributions.
“The Peoples family embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and warmth that define KOA’s next generation of campground owners,” O’Rourke said.
“Their passion for hospitality and their deep investment in their campground, guests, and community make Buffalo KOA Journey a shining example of what’s possible within our system,” O’Rourke added.
Guest satisfaction has also increased significantly since the family assumed ownership. The campground reported a Net Promoter Score of 89, which ranks among the highest performance indicators within the KOA system.
“Our guests aren’t just travelers; they’re part of our story,” Anita noted. “We’ve built a place where people feel at peace, like they belong.”
Before purchasing the Buffalo property, the couple attended KOA’s Buyer’s Workshop in Nashville, where they refined their plans to become long-term campground operators.
Their first ownership experience in Abilene, Texas, helped prepare them for what they describe as their “forever park” in Wyoming.
“We met the previous owners, stayed two nights, and by the time we returned to Texas, we knew Buffalo was home,” Paul said.
In addition to expanding the campground, the Peoples introduced a series of improvements across the property. These enhancements include upgraded furniture, the installation of commercial-grade fire pits, and a full restoration of the park’s two-story log cabin office.
Featured image by Buffalo KOA Journey