BRANSON KOA CAMPGROUND
By Harold Merton
IMPORTANT NOTICE: We have been notified
that the campground we featured here as the Branson KOA has been sold,
closed and will be made into a condo
complex. The owners of the Lawrence, Kansas KOA, Ralph and Kim Newell,
have purchased the former Chastain's RV Park in Branson and have picked
up the KOA franchise for Branson. Calls to the 800 number listed in our
story are
now going to the new KOA which is 3.7 miles north of Hwy 165 and 3/4 of
a
mile from 76 Country Boulevard. For further information please visit the
Branson KOA link at www.koa.com
There are plenty of campgrounds to pick from when you are at home considering
a vacation in Branson. How can you really decide from descriptions in
guide books or from the internet? Many people are disappointed when they
arrive at a place they have
reserved at without knowing very much about it. KOA campgrounds are a
popular choice with many RVers because they know that there are certain
standards that have to be kept in order for the facility to remain in
the KOA system. We regularly stop at KOA Campgrounds for this reason and
because they have over the years been a supporter of this publication.
It was a natural for us then to pick the Branson KOA when we were heading
to the Branson area. Originally constructed in the 1960s the present park
became a KOA about ten years ago. They have 160 serviced sites plus 10
cabins. The campground is set on a 40 acre piece of land right on the
edge of Lake Taneycomo.
It is secluded but has easy access to the shows and other attractions in the Branson area. It truly is a beautiful setting for a vacation in the area. If you purchase your show tickets from the campground office they will provide you with a free shuttle to the show beginning April 15th. They claim they are the only area campground offering this service. Sites are set on several levels at this KOA with the lowest being beside the lake.
These sites are large pull-throughs designed to handle larger
RVs.That is where we set up when we visited them last April. It was a
beautiful spot with fine facilities and just a few steps away from a club
house that in season hosts pancake breakfasts. From April 15th on you
can have all the pancakes you like for just $2. There were lots of birds
including one specimen my wife had never seen before. When you are not
at the shows or other attractions you can relax if you like in the swimming
pool or just take a leisurely stroll
Photos by Harold Merton
through the campground. The upper sites are heavily treed and the area
lends itself well to just walking. Close to our site was a satellite washroom
with great showers. Beside it was a laundry. The showers always had hot
water and everything was kept perfectly clean. That is one of the reasons
a lot of people camp at KOAs. This facility is owned by Recreational Adventures
Company and managed by Eric Johnson. The location is convenient, the site
is peaceful and clean and it makes a great base camp for a Branson vacation.
Rates ran for $23 to $26 when we visited and cabins went for $44 to $53.
They are located six miles west of US65 on 165. This KOA is open March
15th to November 30th.
Branson KOA
1025 Headwaters Road
Branson MO 65616
417.334.7450
Reservations: 1.800.562.4177
Attractions:
Legends in Concert
Branson Belle Showboat
Elvis show at Branson is one
of the Best on the Strip
Branson Scenic Railway
Silver Dollar City, Branson
Missouri