Chocorua KOA

Meet Your Hosts

"The Best things in life come in threes, like friends, dreams, and memories. Make yours come true at Chocorua Camping Village KOA !"

Chocorua Camping Village owners, Lee and Shirley Spencer, have contributed a good portion of their life to building and constantly improving your camping retreat. Over the past 35 and more years the Spencers have cultivated a desire to share their love of the outdoors, travel and education with as many people as possible. Shirley has lead and attended numerous educational and environmental study trips as a 5th and 6th grade teacher in N.C. and Dover, N.H. for over 20 years. She was instrumental in providing experiential education, and headed programs like Mini Society, a young entrepreneur club, and Students Against Drunk Driving. Leo has served as a New Hampshire State Representative, has taught and done research for both Duke and NH Universities, and is an integral part of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as a Board Director for NH Campground Owners Association.
The early 1970’s brought a young Spencer clan to the Tamworth area. Leo and Shirley Spencer had heard through family rumors that the land and lodges of Wabanaki were up for sale. Having spent memorable summers at the pond side cabins, the Spencers purchased the lodges and undeveloped property from Leo’s Uncle Ed Hayes in 1973. With a 1969 CASE tractor, Lee started the gradual and continual process of road and site construction, keeping the natural environment intact as much as possible. After some harrowing rowboat experiences with 2 young children, a baby, and 2 eager swimming dogs, to get to the main cabin at Wabanaki, the Spencer’s residence, a series of bridges were built to access the Lodges. Chocorua Camping Village opened up to the public with 10 sites and a comfort station (bathroom facility) in 1975. While Leo designed and constructed the Rec Hall and Camp Store, Shirley, a 6th grade teacher, spent her summer breaks working the office, maintaining the cabins, and creating the business infrastructure of Wabanaki Lakeside Vacation Corporation. Together, with family and staff they have created nearly 35 years of family vacation opportunities and memories. Chocorua Camping Village continues to grow and improve every year. The dedication of the owners, the managers, and staff keep our guests coming back to rejoin our family camping experience and to see what’s new this year. How about you? C.C.V. now has 150 wooded sites, 10 on-site rentals, 2 bathroom facilities with Laundromat, a full recreation schedule, 5 miles of nature trails, a swimming pool, beach, store, Rec Hall, game room, large dog park with day kennels and the most incredible, friendly staff you’ll ever meet! Make this summer a standout one! Come join the family tradition of Chocorua Camping Village; with any luck you may even get out of the to-do chore list! When Lee and Shirley are not conjuring up new projects for the managers or trying to keep the books straight, you may see them at the dog park with their Aussie Bentley and Mini, or drivin’ off in the Magenta MG to the Thursday Night Old Time Car Show. During the off season they pack up the RV and go traveling; Colorado, Italy, China, Bahamas, New Zealand, Amsterdam and Budapest. What a Life! So, when you see Lee or Shirley running around this summer, say “Hi” and ask them “What are you up to now?!” guaranteed you’ll get an interesting story! Lee and Shirley were presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for their hard work and dedication to 33 years of building and operating Chocorua Camping Village.