I haven’t done many RV Park or campground reviews, but felt compelled to give notice to one we recently visited.
We were in Springfield, Missouri for the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival and decided to haul our trailer out instead of going the motel route. We chose the Springfield Route 66 KOA because of its location close to the city. We arrived Friday afternoon and were greeted by the front desk staff and escorted to our campsite (25), per the usual KOA protocol.
The Springfield Route 66 KOA is smaller as most KOAs go, with about 75 RV sites and a combination of 9 Kamping Lodges, Kottages, and Kabins. But the smaller size also meant a more laid back atmosphere with little noise. However, if you’re a fan of railroads, there’s a line nearby that’ll keep your attention.
Our site, number 25, was a full hook-up pull-through site that was nestled between many tall trees, which offered plenty of shade during this hot August weekend.
But one of the main reasons I want to give notice to the Springfield Route 66 KOA is because of the subject that’s in their name: Route 66. Anyone who’s known me knows that Route 66 is a big part of my life, and has been for more than 20 years. What made this trip darn near perfect was that I was hauling our trailer on Route 66, enroute to a Route 66 festival, while staying at a campground with Route 66 in their name. The only thing that would’ve made it perfect is if the Springfield Route 66 KOA was actually ON Route 66! But as it goes, the KOA is located about a mile south of Route 66 through the western edge of Springfield.
Although they may not be located on the shoulders of the fabled Mother Road, they embrace Route 66 as if they’ve been there since the road’s inception in 1926. Owners Scott & Diane King have owned their KOA since 2004 after leaving their home in California. As business owners in a Route 66 town, the Kings definitely get it. From the signs that stand guard next to the homemade cows in the front of the office to the well stocked camp store filled with just about anything a Route 66 road warrior could use, the Springfield Route 66 KOA should be included as a must stop for anyone traveling Route 66. As Diane told me, she’s open to giving just about any kind of Route 66 merchandise a try in the camp store, so there’s a good chance you’ll find something new anytime you go in.
The Springfield Route 66 KOA should be the southwest Missouri stop for any RVer traveling Route 66, and dare I say even the non-RVing Route 66er. The Kamping Kabins, Lodges, and Kottages on the premises offer “komfortable” accomodations and a different way to get your sleeps on Route 66 when compared to a motel, and worth the experience. As a matter of fact, a fellow Route 66er in town for the festival happened to stay in one of the Kabins the same weekend we were there, and she told us she frequents the KOA Kabins all across the country when traveling Route 66.
(Kabin photos courtesy Springfield Route 66 KOA)
As traveling the two-lane highways of America goes, most non-RVers blow by campgrounds and RV parks without giving them a second look. And admittedly I was that way before I bought my first trailer. But whether you travel by car, motorhome, or have a trailer hitched to your rear, the Springfield Route 66 KOA is worthy of a visit, whether you bunk up for the night or just stop in to buy a Route 66 t-shirt or sticker in the camp store. For my fellow Route 66 enthusiasts reading this, we all know we aim to support those businesses that support Route 66. Let this be your introduction to another Route 66 business to add to that list.
You can find more information about the Springfield Route 66 KOA at their website at http://route66koa.com