Why Tailgate at a KOA?
Tailgating has long been a tradition in stadium parking lots—but at KOA, you get the same festive spirit with a lot more comfort. Imagine celebrating game day with full RV hookups, picnic tables, fire pits, and a cabin or tent site just steps away. Instead of squeezing into a crowded lot, KOA campers enjoy wide-open spaces, access to restrooms and showers, and room for guests to enjoy the great outdoors together.
KOA tailgates are perfect for pre-concert gatherings, outdoor festivals, community parades, and of course sports and racing events. At KOA, every big event can become a tailgating event.
Enter our Let’s Tailgate Together Giveaway!
And the fun doesn’t stop there—starting October 1, don’t miss our 5 weeks of giveaways! You could win incredible prizes from our friends at Skinny Guy Campers, Camp Chef, Piedmontese, BumpBoxx, Faribault Mill, TravlFi, and RVshare— bringing you everything you need to take your tailgating to the next level. Keep reading to get the full list of weekly prizes!
Reserve the Right Setup at Your KOA
Before you even start packing, make sure your KOA reservation is set up for success. To ensure you’re camping close to your crew, reserve adjacent sites ahead of time or, if available, book a group camping area. A quick call to the campground before you arrive can go a long way toward making sure your tailgate setup has the space it needs. Many campgrounds have special rules on how many campers they can accommodate per a campsite so be sure to reserve the adequate space to host your group gathering.
Be sure to let your KOA hosts know you’ll be tailgating. They’ll appreciate the heads-up, and in many cases, they may even offer tips or resources to take your tailgate event from good to great.
Packing is where the magic begins. The right gear keeps the focus on fun, not scrambling for supplies.
KOA Tailgating Packing Checklist
- Essentials for Comfort: Folding chairs, canopies if the weather is not ideal, picnic blankets, and even outdoor rugs to define your hangout zone.
- Catch the Action: Many RVs now come equipped with outdoor TVs, but if yours doesn’t, pack alternatives like a portable projector and screen, a weather-protected outdoor TV, or a tablet/laptop with a TravelFi hotspot connection to ensure you can keep the game or concert going from kickoff to the final minute.
- Power Up: Many KOAs offer hookups, but if your site is more rustic, you can consider packing a portable generator or power bank if you have additional accessories that you need to operate.
- Cooler Strategy: Designate one cooler for drinks and one for food to avoid constant digging. Freeze water bottles to double as ice packs.
- Lighting: String lights, lanterns, or LED rope lights create a festive vibe after dark.
- Organized Storage: Use labeled bins or totes for games, cooking gear, and non-perishables. A “grab-and-go” snack box is handy for kids.
KOA tip: Many campgrounds have camp stores—if you forget propane, ice, or even firewood, you’re usually covered.
The food is often the centerpiece of any tailgate. At KOA, you’ve got options: grill at your deluxe campsite, prep in your RV kitchen, or cook over the campfire.
Looking for some unbeatable tailgating recipes? We have some great options from our friends at Camp Chef and Piedmontese Meat:
More Ideas for Camping-Friendly Meals
- KOA’s Tasty Tailgating Recipes
- Grill Favorites: Burgers, brats, skewers, or veggie kabobs that cook quickly and feed a crowd.
- Campfire Classics with a Twist: Grilled nachos, pulled pork sandwiches, or campfire mac & cheese.
- Make-Ahead Heroes: Walking tacos, dips, and pasta salads are great to prep at-home and store in your RV’s fridge or cooler until kickoff.
- Sweet Touches: S’mores bars, cookies, or football-shaped Rice Krispie treats for kids.
Set the Soundtrack With Our Tailgating Playlist
Tailgating isn’t complete without good music! A tailgating playlist should blend game-day hype songs with campground chill tunes. We’ve got you covered with our curated KOA Tailgating Spotify Playlist!
When making a good tailgating playlist, you should always consider the following kinds of music:
- Hype Up: Classic rock, stadium anthems, and sing-alongs.
- Family Friendly: Country hits, pop favorites, or throwbacks everyone knows.
- Wind-Down: Acoustic tracks for when the fire is glowing and the stars are out.
KOA tip: A waterproof, rechargeable speaker keeps the party going—even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
With KOA’s open spaces, your tailgate isn’t limited to a card table and cooler. You can build a whole outdoor experience.
Tailgating Yard Games to Bring Along
- Classics: Cornhole, ladder toss, horseshoes.
- Kid-Friendly: Giant Jenga, hula hoops, scavenger hunts around the campground.
- Night Games: Glow-in-the-dark frisbees, LED bocce ball, or flashlight tag.
- Quiet Options: Board games, cards, or trivia apps inside the RV or cabin if weather rolls in.
Here’s KOA complete list of games to bring camping! Many are great for tailgating.
Comforts of Camping Meet Tailgating Fun
Here’s the KOA difference: when the game’s over, the fun doesn’t stop. Instead of packing up in the dark or sitting in post-event traffic, you’re already at your campsite.
- Sleep Easy: Retreat to your RV, a cozy cabin, or a tent under the stars.
- Amenities Ready: Showers, laundry, and restrooms make cleanup a breeze.
- Extend the Stay: Turn one game into a full weekend getaway. Hike in the morning, tailgate in the afternoon, and roast marshmallows at night.
Enter the Let’s Tailgate Together Giveaway!
Starting October 1, KOA and our special partners are giving campers the chance to win weekly prizes over 5 weeks designed to upgrade your tailgating game. Prizes include:
- Week 1: bumpboxx Flare8 Pro iD Speaker + a $250 KOA Gift Card
- Week 2: Camp Chef GRIDIRON Gameday Grill + Piedmontese Certified Meat Tailgate Package
- Week 3: A $400 RVshare Gift Card + TravlFi JourneyGo 4G Hotspot
- Week 4: Faribault Cabin Wool Throw Blanket + RUX 40L Gear Box Tote
- Week 5: Skinny Guy Armor 12LT Camper
Be sure to visit us here to enter beginning in October!
It’s Time to Get Planning
KOA brings together everything you love about tailgating with all the comforts of camping—spacious sites, modern amenities, and the chance to celebrate under the open sky. Now’s the time to start planning your own KOA tailgate: reserve your spot, gather your crew, and join the fun. And don’t forget to enter our giveaway for a chance to score big on game-day gear.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
