One of the really fantastic ways that God used to make this trip a reality for our family was through this KOA opportunity.  The plan is as straight forward as it comes.  In exchange for our lodgings, I would write reviews of each location.  So I just write what I really think – the good or the bad – and you guys get to see what a few of the KOAs across the United States are like for a family like ours.

After we survived Kansas, we pulled right into the square state of Colorado.

In Kansas we left behind temperatures in the mid-70’s and in Colorado we pulled into a cool 38 degrees.  We took a hike near some lovely state park and it snowed upon our heads!

We celebrated and laughed and tried to catch the snow on our tongues.

Our last night before we headed into the ranch we trekked along until we saw our bright yellow KOA beacon and we pulled into the Cripple Creek KOA.  Cripple Creek’s claim to fame is that it is the highest KOA in the United States.  (Also.  Cripple Creek is a fun name to say.  I think you should try to say it out loud right now.)

Not only were we excited to try out this KOA because it was so high above sea level and because it was partially covered in snow and because it enjoyed a beautiful mountain view, but because we had a deluxe cabin reserved for our family.

Do you know what a deluxe cabin at a KOA means?

It means a bathroom in the cabin!

This KOA appeared more barren than the Kansas one of course, as the landscape is harsher and we were arriving at the end of winter.  (Well.  We’d call it “spring” back home, but it sure still looked like winter in Colorado to us.)  This KOA is not open all year as I assume the roads are much less passable during the winter months.  It both hailed and snowed while we were there – but we still saw tent campers a plenty.  I guess Colorado campers are heartier stock than us.

Cripple Creek KOA is very near to the town of Cripple Creek.  I pictured a charming old western town when I heard the name.  The kids and I drove into Cripple Creek and pretty much saw something else.  It was cute enough but it was primarily casinos and not really appealing to our band.

At the KOA, check in was easy-peasy and the owner was helpful and friendly.  It seems the KOAs are all individually owned and often families live at their campgrounds too.  I like that feel.  It allows each of the KOAs to be a safe and reliable brand but with personal touches per family.

Actually, this owner even gave us a bundle of firewood for our campfire that night.  A campfire upon which I made the most perfect s’more that ever was made.  (Well.  I don’t really know if that’s true.  But it was delicious and it was beautiful.)

The main office held a small camp store with a few essentials and the campground restrooms.  I didn’t study these as intently this time, knowing that we had the luxury of a cabin with facilities inside.  (Whatever you want to know about specific KOA spots, their websites fill in the info very completely.  Plus – I have found each KOA very responsive in their speedy email and phone correspondence.)  The building also houses a game room and a laundry room.

Our cabin was near a wide open field in the shadow of a mountain and the boys chased small creatures and tromped through the snow and crafted snow balls in May.  The girls and I read novels and played games.  I kept looking up from my book on the deck and staring at my new friend Pike’s Peak.  (I did sit on the deck in the sunshine and read my novel, but I was wearing a puffy winter jacket and gloves while I read.)

Inside the cabin was just perfect.  It was basically like one of those trendy tiny houses that are all the rage here and there.  There were two small bedrooms – one with a full sized bed (and a cute reading lamp that I appreciated) and one with two slim bunk beds.  The boys claimed the bunk bed room immediately.  In the main room was a table and a kitchen space and a futon for the girls to sleep on.  And, of course, the best part — a bathroom!  There was a full bathroom with a regular shower and a clever pocket door to save space.  I think the indoors bathroom was an extra bonus at this KOA as it was so chilly and the community bathroom would be a bit of a walk.

I think we could probably live in one of those little cabins if we needed to.  (For a few days anyway.)

This cabin was even stocked with dishes – and a dishwasher! – and the linens were on the bed so we didn’t have to unload, nor sleep in, the sleeping bags.

I find that I like the KOA hands down better than a hotel.  (Especially a deluxe cabin at a KOA.  That’s the real way to go.)  We didn’t have to unload the trunk attached to our hitch with all the bungee cords and we were parked right by our cabin and we all felt safer and cozier than in a hotel on all accounts.  Plus, this cabin was very very clean.

Because there were no grocery stores or really any restaurants nearby, I had planned our dinner for this evening to be a little camp-y.  (I am sure there were food choices in Cripple Creek or the slightly farther town of Victor but the choices didn’t really appeal to us.)

I had purchased several camping food meals that only required adding boiling water.  I originally planned to boil water on a campfire but we decided we would just go with the microwave in the cabin instead.  All we had was a coffee cup though so we filled it full about sixteen times and it all worked out.

It was a pretty unconventional meal.  But it was actually quite fun.  We tried a handful of types and decided what we like for future camping journeys.  (We liked the garlic and herb mashed potatoes.  And the mac and cheese.  And the chicken and rice.)

The next morning the KOA offered a pancake breakfast.  At a deal!  $3 for adults and kids eat free.  Well.  That was a pretty sweet deal for my gang.

After breakfast we wandered around to see what else the KOA held.  The tent sites here had the handiest feature that I think all tent sites should have.  These little covered spots.

You have a shaded picnic table, a counter for griddles or crockpots or supplies.  An outlet.  I love that idea.  I’d love to see this at lots of the places we go car camping.  It would be so convenient.

There was a playground and fun train for the kids to play on.  There were giant low bikes that you could use on a first come, first served basis at no cost.  Piper was especially sad that every time we stopped by the main cabin all of the bikes were already being used.

From Cripple Creek to the ranch was a gorgeous drive and every where around the Cripple Creek KOA held fabulous beauty.  No matter which direction you happened to look, it was pretty.

This Cripple Creek KOA would really be a great landing spot for a vacation.  It was a short drive to lots of attractions — Cripple Creek if you want to gamble your savings away, the Royal Gorge, Colorado Springs and all it has to offer, Manitou Springs, a gold mine, hiking, horseback riding and all sorts of outdoor adventure options.

I am certain staying in the deluxe cabin had a lot to do with it – but this is definitely a KOA I would want to visit again.

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