No employer in workamping has a more consistent national presence than Kampgrounds of America. With franchise locations from Maine to Hawaii, KOA has built a hiring system that thousands of workampers use as a reliable planning anchor every year. Understanding how KOA recruiting actually works helps applicants navigate it efficiently.
The Franchise Structure and What It Means
KOA is a franchise organization. Each location is independently owned and operated, which means hiring decisions happen at the local level — not at a corporate headquarters. There's no central KOA jobs portal where you can apply to all locations simultaneously.
What corporate KOA provides is standards: for facilities, operations, training, and brand consistency. Individual franchise owners hire within those standards according to their own needs and timelines.
How Workampers Typically Find Positions
The path to a KOA workamping placement usually starts with direct outreach:
- Identify KOA campgrounds in your target region using KOA's campground finder
- Contact those locations directly by phone or email to ask about workamping positions
- Ask specifically about the host arrangement — compensation, hookup type, hours, and required season length vary by franchisee
Some KOA locations are also listed on Workamper News and through regional campground association networks.
What Positions Typically Offer
Compensation varies by franchisee, but common arrangements include:
- A full hookup site provided
- Partial hourly wages for defined shifts
- Specific role assignments — registration, maintenance, store, activities — rather than generalist host positions
- Structured scheduling with clear hours
The consistency that makes KOA attractive is operational. Facilities are maintained, systems are established, and brand standards mean you generally know what you're arriving to.
The Multi-Location Advantage
With 500+ locations across North America, KOA offers something no independent campground can match: the ability to move between locations across multiple seasons while building a recognized employment history. KOA franchise owners communicate with each other, and strong references from one location regularly open doors at others.