Photo: Forest River Park Models
Believe it or not, if you ever take a camping trip and end up at a KOA campground, the odds are pretty good that you’ll be sleeping in a cabin built by one of America’s most beloved RV manufacturers. It’s time to dive into KOA Deluxe Cabins.
Ladies and gentlemen, and North Americans everywhere, if you’ve ever taken a camping trip in the United States, the odds are pretty good that you’ve ended up at a KOA campground. Heck, this team has been around since 1962 and operates nearly 500 campgrounds across North America.
Now, KOA sites are great for your average tent and even a trailer, but if you have neither or just want to relax without a care in the world, you can opt for one of the KOA Deluxe Cabins. Here, you're looking at a full-service home that puts all the features and amenities you want right at your fingertips.
However, these cabins, and the reason we’re talking about them today, are made by one of America’s most beloved RV and trailer companies, Forest River. That’s right, Forest River, the same company that’s been in the RV business since 1996, also builds park-ready habitats. Oh, and these are actual mobile homes.
Photo: Forest River Park Models
Well, there are two units in the lineup of these massive Forest River homes that are specifically designed for park owners; one of those, however, is for KOA campground owners only, which is the model we’re exploring today. Oh, and there are eight different owner-operated floor plans, in case you run a campground.
While there are many options on the Forest River website, according to KOA, we seem to be very limited in the type of layouts we can access; it appears the smallest available floor plan is being used as an example, meaning few KOA owners are actually going overboard with the fully-featured units included in the Forest River lineup. However, KOA’s Facebook page paints a different story.
For example, KOA’s website lists two options: a four-person configuration with one room and a porch or patio, and a six-person option with two rooms and a patio. Private bathrooms, electricity, and a “fire feature” are all part of the mix, but KOA also notes that Deluxe Cabins “May” include some “special” amenities like kitchenettes, TVs, grills, fire pits, and decks or lofts for dining. So, yes, some owners are opting for the larger, more luxurious options Forest River offers.
Photo: Forest River Park Models
With that said, I decided to shed some light on the largest floor plan Forest River offers, the KOA-35SL, a habitat that comes in at 35 feet long, 12 feet wide, and has a ladder that leads to a loft above the rest of the space. However, it’s at ground level that all the magic will happen, so let’s head back downstairs.
Now, the 35SL is, judging by the floor plan, a complete solution for families who want to wake up to the smell of wood and the chirping of birds in the trees. Overall, two bedrooms with queen beds are on opposite ends, and in the center of it all is a dining table, an entertainment area with a modular sofa, and a full kitchen. Judging by its size, we can’t really call it a galley. The bathroom is squeezed between the living area and the rear bedroom, but it still has all the features and a separate bathtub. With that loft, more than six guests will have a place to rest their heads.
This means a space where you and your family can literally feel at home, even in the middle of the woods or on the shore of a lake. So, to get an idea of what awaits you here, I would like to invite you to relax for a moment or so and put yourself in the center of the action you witness in the image gallery.
Photo: Forest River Park Models
Imagine waking up one midsummer morning to the sound of birds chirping in the treetops outside. The smell of crisp, fresh morning air and pine fills your nostrils, and since the rest of the gang is still asleep, you sneak downstairs to start making breakfast.
In your attempt not to wake anyone, you end up dropping a frying pan, and before long, “moms” and “dads” are carried by the radio waves to your ears. A few minutes later, all the doors are open, even the windows, and you're making pancakes, bacon, eggs, and coffee or tea. The kids are already running outside or waiting in line for the bathroom.
Since the sun is out and there’s no wind, breakfast is served outside on that raised patio that some units include. It’s time to figure out who’s going to do the dishes and then some relaxation. Later in the day, the gang decides to explore the local landscape, do some kayaking on the lake, and even go e-biking around the area; your Deluxe Cabin will be waiting for you when you return just as you left it. Yes, an RV manufacturer is responsible for that.