St. Louis N.E. / I-270 / Granite City KOA Journey

Reading through the reviews, the good and the bad, we booked here expecting a worse experience but we were pleasantly surprised. It didn’t feel as if you were tucked in the woods next to several trucking companies. With the maple and oak trees, it felt way out in the woods. The washrooms were acceptable, not exceptional, not awful. The only thing was the freaking noise from the speedway a couple of miles away. That was pretty brutal at night!

By far the worst KOA we’ve ever stayed at! Checking in was fine, efficient not friendly. Site was level. Dog park was a total mess. Dog waste deposal was over flowing, fence down between the two sides. No lighting at night. Shady area behind our site with broken fence. Dumpster looked and smelt as to not been emptied in weeks! No WiFi and they didn’t say that until a text you receive when it’s too late to cancel! AVOID THIS PLACE

We needed a place to stop for a night. This KOA is a dated facility. Our 50 amp plug was even cracked. The trees need trimmed, and the gravel needs dressed or added to in many areas. The tree branches brushed and touched our 5th wheel on our site. If you have a big rig, be careful. The staff was friendly and helpful and the only reason my review wasn't lower.

We needed an rv spot for a week and found this koa. We were really surprised that they had availability because we were arriving right before Labor Day weekend and koa's are impossible to get. Koa's are always more expensive than other rv parks, but the hospitality is always amazing and you know you're going to get quality. This place was not up to Koa standards and was a huge disappointment. We almost missed it because the 1st sign is so small and its next to a trucking center. When we check in the 2 girls behind the counter were really rude. 1 had a pet duck in a stroller, which koa's don't let pets inside places, but she works there, fine, but she was so nasty to us that we asked about her duck. If you're going to have a pet duck, people will ask! They told us they'd be right out to escort us, 5 minutes later and they didn't come, so we just went to our spot. We realized we didn't have bread for lunch so I walked to the office, office was locked and the 2 girls were vaping in the car. 1 got out, opened the office to see if there was bread but wouldn't let me in even though the hours posted said they should be open. The dog park was gross, it looked like the garbage pail hadn't been emptied in a month and it looked like no one took care of it. Koa's usually pick up trash, but this 1 didn't, which was fine, but other people left their trash out to be picked up after they left and trash sat out for 4-5 days and itvsmelled. Around the managers house was messy and there was lots of junk. They were never full the whole time we were there and spent most of the time less than half full. Now I know why we could get reservations at the last minute. If you go expecting the usual 5 star koa service and atmosphere, this isn't it.

Most places greet customers with the hello or how can I help you when they walk in, this place I was just greeted with a blank stare. It's your typical KOA journey and could use a little love and attention. The pool was nice and clean and the perfect temperature even in late June. The negative things were that it is down a gravel road to several industrial businesses, not very holiday looking at all. There is a feral colony of cats that live on the other side of the property but venture into the campgrounds at night. Unfortunately the dog park backs right up to the shelters left for the cats and the bottom of the dog park fence is not secured to the ground so a small pet or a determined larger one could easily push through and be loose. When I left on a Saturday afternoon, it was to the sound of several handgun shots coming from one of the industrial areas behind the KOA. Pretty sure there's not an official shooting range out there but I wouldn't want my children outside when that is happening. I was there for only three nights, but the dog waste trash can was almost full to the top when I pulled in and when sitting outside it was an unpleasant smell. I called the office and they did empty it right away. However that was the last time it was emptied while I was there. The KOA is very close to St Louis and all the sites and eateries. It is not quiet at this KOA. The industrial trucks sometimes arrive is late as 12:30 and the trash man for the KOA came as early as 6:30 one morning. There is also a train. If you're looking for a one or two-day stay and there's nothing else available this KOA is fine but if any of the above negatives bother you I would keep searching.