Long-time camping enthusiasts operate award-winning KOA in the Sault (10 photos)

Sault Ste. Marie KOA Holiday Campgrounds proprietors, Bill and Joan Richards, recently came home with two prestigious awards from Kampgrounds of America.

Kampgrounds of America (KOA) – a longstanding system of privately owned campgrounds located across Canada and the United States – was founded in 1962. 

Each franchisee serves to connect campers to the outdoors regardless of whether they simply want to pitch a tent and connect with their family and nature or to pull up in an RV and require all the bells and whistles of home in a pet and family-friendly environment. 

Sault Ste. Marie KOA Holiday Campground, an established successful enterprise of 47 years, was purchased in 2010 by Bill and Joan Richard.

On Nov. 16, 2021, the Richards and their campground were honoured with two awards at KOA’s Annual International Convention in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

The KOA’s Founder award was named in honour of the founder of KOA on the banks of the Yellowstone River in Billings, Montana in 1962 is the highest service award and is awarded to KOA owners and managers who have attained world-class scores in both service and KOA quality review. The KOA President’s award is presented to those campgrounds who meet exceptional quality standards and who receive high customer service scores from their customers.

This in-person convention is presently ongoing and the Richards received their awards during one of the sessions.

These prestigious awards are heavily weighted by client/camper feedback.  This year in particular where a higher number of new campers has evolved, it speaks to the level of work that has been done to ensure each guest has encountered their best outdoor experience in addition to the KOA’s owners who have committed to the right investments in their campgrounds, a news release goes on to explain.

The Richard’s humbly disclosed that they have won the two awards in each of the past 12 seasons and have received plaques with each.

“We are long-time campers, and always knew we would like to own a campground and help others create memories!  We see folks from across Canada, USA, and the world. Many from Europe in rental RVs, motorcyclists, bicycle travellers too, people from all walks of life. “ explained Richard. 

Sault Ste. Marie KOA Holiday Campground has been in operation since 1974 and has always operated as a KOA. 

It’s a seasonal operation between May 1 and Oct. 8 and is closed during the winter months.  All sites are sold on a nightly basis and the park does not offer long-term or seasonal sites.

The campground offers many pet-friendly activities and provides several specialty amenities on-site that are particular to dogs.  Four to five times per season there are also agility and obedience events for dogs that are held on-site.

There are 125 sites in the Park which include RV sites with hookups, Deluxe Patio sites, tent sites, and even Rustic and Deluxe cabins with all the amenities

For further information view Sault Ste. Marie KOA Holiday website.