Like many seasonal and tourism-driven businesses in the Mining City, the Butte KOA is reeling from the loss of the Folk Festival and events like An Ri Ra that bring in thousands of people looking for a fun and affordable lodging solution.
But with Governor Bullock’s lift on the mandatory 14-day quarantine for all out of state visitors on June 1st, KOA general manager Chris Jordan is hoping for a surge in business.
“We’re hoping we can have a bounce back season since tourism is such a huge industry in the state," said Butte and Helena KOA general manager Chris Jordan. "Ourselves, this town and most of Montana is pretty dependent on the tourism traffic.”
That lift on travel restrictions will allow the KOA to welcome in guests passing through on their way to the national parks, rivers, lakes and all the great outdoor activities the Treasure State has to offer. And KOA top level executives are predicting that camping may be this summer’s hot ticket item.
“Toby O'Rourke, our CEO said that 40 percent of people who had camping trips this summer still plan on doing them because they think it's going to be the safest way to get out this summer," said Jordan. "And there’s a huge increase of people who are looking at camping like well my trip to Disney got cancelled or my flight overseas got cancelled. I can still go camping and get out.”
Not to mention camping at any one of these KOA locations is already a social-distancing friendly activity, giving all the more reasons to pack up the kids, the dog, and the RV to make some great summer memories.
“Camping naturally our spots are more than six feet apart. Everyone has their own spot, their own space that they can get out in the sunshine and enjoy our beautiful Montana summers," Jordan adds.
The Butte KOA office will open back up on June 1st but until then you can call ahead to make reservations.