New Bern KOA

Sometimes you just pick a winner. We have stayed at several KOA locations during our travels. This location by far has been the best of any we have stayed at. Shortly before our arrival and prior to me booking this location we got a notice from KOA that this was the KOA 2019 Campground of the Year. Our first reaction was, this should be interesting, what are the makings of Campground of the Year? I hope my notes below can begin to explain why this campground got a well-deserved award. This will be our benchmark for future stays at KOA Holiday locations. Let’s walk it down.

Link To RV Park: New Bern KOA

Link to MAP: Directions

Daily Cost: Patio Site – $76.50

A) Site Quality: ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️/5

This place has spoiled us for every other KOA or for the matter RV park we might stay. We choose a Patio Site for our stay. Yes, they are a bit more money for the dailies. We have found that the Patio or Deluxe Patio sites at the KOA parks tend to be level, well maintained, and have ample green space between sites. The parks we have not stayed at prior for any length of time, patio sites will typically be our go-to. Once we have the lay of the land and review the location we are more likely to pick a pull-through or back in depending on the location.

This location was special and patio site #46 was just fantastic. Level set, large pull through, large concrete pad with fire pit, and very nice and growing green space. The site included a rod iron guider, four chairs, table, and umbrella in great working order. We had a rather large tree on the NW side of the rig. The view from the patio was looking toward the Neuse River. Your orientation on the site is nose to the NE and tail to the SW, your doorway will be looking SE

Insights

• We arrived 30 mins. early for our check-in which was 1:00 pm. The staff was happy to see us, check-in was fast and we were then escorted to our site. Great directions by the escort and very easy entry into the site.
• As a general overview, the roads are in amazing shape and while we were there they continued to place gravel around the park.
• Sites 42 – 47 are Patio Sites all having the amenities I described above. They all have a bit of shade and a decent view of the river. Site 44 – 47 has the best view. These sites will also accommodate large rigs.
• Site 48 – 54 is the Deluxe Patio site with composite furniture, rockers, four chairs, a table, umbrellas, and a gas grill. 48 – 50 will accommodate the biggest rigs and toads with no problem. These sites are close to the river with outstanding views of the river and sunsets. 51 – 54 are a bit smaller but will accommodate a 35 – 37′ RV and tow vehicle.
• Let’s talk a little about the back-in sites. 21 – 27 back up to the woods to the NW. They are level and would accommodate a shorter 5th wheel or camper. Sites 30 – 32 are located next to the playground. I did see several Class A’s on these sites. There is room to park your toad in front of your rig.
• The sites located to the south, 55 – 62 are well shaded and level. You have room to jack your rig around and back in without obstructions in front of you.
• There are many full-timers in the park. All seem to be located in the southeastern part of the park. Site 66-71, 78-73, and 84-94 are occupied by full-time or long-term occupants. The rigs are all in great shape.
• If you are a tent camper, the sights I feel are some of the best I have seen. Large, grassed (that is growing), and a shaded table at each site. They are all located close to the river with a great view.

B) Facilities: ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️/5 

The facilities in this park are well places and in the best working order of any location, we have visited. The family bathhouse located near the center SW border is large and very clean. You will find the laundry in the main office building. The machines are in great working order and costs are average for use. They do have a rather large meeting room building on the property. I would expect this to be open for rallies etc. At the West end of the park, you will find a boat launch, pier with a covered gazebo, kayaks, and paddleboats. Fishermen can clean and fillet their catch at a table and sink with running water.

C) Amenities: ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️/5 

They are numerous, convenience store with groceries, souvenirs, RV supplies, ice, firewood, bike rental, and propane. Laundry room with sitting area and large machines. Dump station situated in the middle of the park with running water. Playground, Mineral Mine, Jump Pad, and various swings and ships to climb on. Cable TV 40+ channels, Free wireless internet throughout the park. The wifi is good, we did use it to stream with little or no buffering issues. You will find two fenced-in KampK9 areas with a dog wash!

D) Location: ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️/5 

This park is located approximately 15 mins from downtown New Bern on the east side of the Neuse River. It is off the main road and with very little road noise to speak of. You will hear the occasional train, but that is the extent of the noise. About 5 mins away you will find a rather large FoodLion for your grocery needs. The restaurant selection close is a bit thin but you are mins away from downtown New Bern for your best choices.

E) Paw – Friendliness – 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾/5

Zoey gave this park, a big paws up. Plenty of green space and areas to relieve your dogs. The fenced-in KampK9’s, yes two are large and set up for large and smaller dogs. The dog wash was a bonus and in great working order. We had some great walks around the park each morning covering about a 1 1/2 miles circuit. The walks including a nice stroll down to the riverfront.

Wanderers Overall Rating: ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️/5 

Wanderers Take

This RV Park has become the standard-bearer for all other KOA Holiday locations. This park was hit hard by Hurricane Florence in 2018. That might be the reason all the grounds, furniture and facilities look so good. They have come back with a vengeance. It is not a wonder they are the KOA 2019 Campground of the year. The location is just that good in our minds.

Final Look

We had a fantastic stay at this park. We did take the more expensive Patio route and did not regret a minute of that choice. I would dare say that a standard pull-through or for that matter a back-in would have left us with the same impression. This park is well run with all its facilities and amenities working and in great shape. This could have easily become a week-long or more stay for us it was that good.

Sight Seeing, Attractions, and Restaurants

As enjoyable as it was to just sit outside and enjoy the surrounding at the park there is plenty to see and do within a 40-mile radius. Here are a few we visited.

Restaurants

Chef and The Farmer – Restaurant 

120 W Gordon St, Kinston, NC 28501

Web Site: Chef & The Farmer

If you are a fan of Vivian Howard of PBS fame you need to head west to Kinston and have dinner at her restaurant. The restaurant lived up to it PBS show hype.

The Chelsea

Web Site: The Chelsea

Located in the heart of the shopping district of New Bern the restaurant offers a great selection of local fair. Ginny had a delicious Shrimp and Grits dish and me a Shrimp burger.

Attractions

Fireman’s Museum

420 Broad St, New Bern, NC 28560-4905

A unique collection of fire trucks and firefighting equipment. You will have a tour guide and it is worth the visit.

Birthplace Of Pepsi-Cola

 256 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560

Take a few mins while your shopping in downtown New Bern and stop in the recreated soda fountain where Pepsi-Cola was born.

Tryon Palace

529 S Front St, New Bern, NC 28562-5601

Web Site: Tyron Palace

Explore the Palace, North Carolina’s first capital building as well as the North Carolina History Museum located on the same grounds.

Sight Seeing

Fort Macon & Fort Macon State Park

Voted the number one state park in North Carolina, it has something for everyone. Check out the Civil War Fort, Coastal Education Center, and miles of unspoiled seashores ideal for swimming and fishing and just relaxing on the beach