The roots of the Kampgrounds of America can be found along the banks of the Yellowstone River, near Billings, Montana. In 1962 local businessmen Dave Drum, John Wallace and partners set up a small campground on Drum’s property from which they hoped to take advantage of the thousands of families traveling to Seattle for the World’s Fair--many driving along the new I 90 corridor through Montana. The first campground offered a shower, store, laundry, a camp site, picnic table and fire pit to those willing to pay the $1.75 fee.

Following on the success of that first summer, Wallace created and distributed an extensive survey to those who stayed at the campground, asking about their experience and how it could be improved. The responses became the base for a business plan, developed in 1963 by Drum, Wallace and Bob Boorman, that included franchises and expansion across the country.

The first franchise opened in Cody, Wyoming in 1964, by 1972 they were 600 KOA campgrounds across the country, and in Canada and Mexico. In 1969 KOA went public, offering 300,000 shares of stock by 1972.

The late 1970s proved challenging because of OPEC oil embargos, but unlike many of their competitors, KOA survived. By 1982 the franchised campgrounds hit their highest point to date at 900, with locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe and Japan. Today, the company holds 517 campgrounds in the United States and Canada.

Dave Drum hired Darrell Booth as general manager of KOA in 1966. Booth oversaw the company in a time of tremendous growth, and the standardization of facilities and amenities offered under the KOA brand. This earned the company a reputation for consistent quality across all the franchises.

In 1979 Art Peterson took the helm of KOA, replacing an ailing Booth. Although his tenure was marked by the lingering effects of the oil crisis, Peterson’s leadership helped the company through difficult times and ultimately to build new amenities and services including the KOA cabins. The cabins became popular as the campers moved away from tent camping toward RVs and destination campsites. Peterson retired in 2000.

Jim Rogers was hired in late 1999 as KOA CEO. During his tenure a focus on the use of technology to reach and serve the public became a focus. In 2010 Pat Hittmeier took over as CEO and continued the focus on improving services through their website and online presence. The current CEO is Toby O’Rourke, the first woman to hold that position.

In 1979 Oscar Tang, New York financier, purchased the company and remains its owner to date. As of 2019 KOA is the world’s largest system of privately held campgrounds. The company has retained its strong Montana roots and is still headquartered in Billings.