Banned for Leaving a Review? Leavenworth KOA in Washington Faces Backlash Over Review Retaliation Allegations
The Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Holiday, nestled in the scenic Cascade Mountains of Washington State, is a popular destination for RVers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts. But recently, the campground has been drawing attention for something far less idyllic: multiple reports from guests claiming they were banned from making future reservations after posting negative—but honest—reviews about their experiences.
What’s Happening at Leavenworth KOA?
Several of our followers have reached out, sharing troubling stories. After leaving a less-than-glowing review on platforms like Google or TripAdvisor—reviews that remained respectful and factual—they later discovered they were blocked from booking future stays at the Leavenworth KOA.
This troubling pattern suggests a possible policy of review retaliation—a deeply concerning tactic where businesses punish customers for public criticism instead of addressing legitimate complaints.
Operated by Recreational Adventures Company (RAC)
The Leavenworth KOA is not independently operated. Like many KOA locations, it is run by Recreational Adventures Company (RAC), a private operator responsible for managing several KOA campgrounds across the U.S.
In an effort to clarify these troubling reports, we reached out to Recreational Adventures Company directly and requested a statement on the alleged review-related bans. Despite multiple outreach attempts, RAC did not respond.
Why This Matters: The Ethics of Review Retaliation
Reviews are a vital part of the modern travel experience. For many families and full-time RVers, reviews help inform decisions, avoid poor experiences, and find the best places to stay.
Silencing customers through bans or threats undermines the integrity of the review system and damages public trust—not only in a single campground, but in the KOA brand and hospitality industry as a whole.
Worse, it sets a dangerous precedent: if guests fear being blacklisted for sharing honest feedback, then only the most positive (or filtered) reviews remain visible—creating a false image of quality.
KOA Corporate: Is Brand Oversight Missing?
While KOA’s corporate image emphasizes family fun, top-tier hospitality, and trust, these allegations raise important questions about brand oversight and accountability.
Does KOA Corporate condone the practice of banning customers for negative reviews? Is there a mechanism for addressing guest concerns when franchise operators cross ethical lines? As of publication, KOA has not issued a statement on this specific issue at Leavenworth.
What Can Campers Do?
If you believe you’ve been unfairly banned from the Leavenworth KOA or any other RAC-operated property for sharing your honest opinion:
Document everything. Save screenshots of your review, email confirmations, or booking denials.
Report the behavior. Submit complaints directly to KOA Corporate and consumer protection agencies.
Leave updated reviews. Share your full experience, including any retaliation, so future guests can make informed decisions.
Use alternative platforms. Sites like Campendium, RV Life, and iOverlander allow for open feedback and support user rights.
Final Thoughts: Transparency Builds Trust
As a traveling family committed to helping others enjoy the road, we believe in celebrating great locations—but also in speaking up when things go wrong. Campgrounds, like any business, should strive for improvement when faced with valid criticism—not silence their customers.
We will continue to monitor this issue closely and welcome others to share their experiences. Honest reviews help the entire community, and we hope KOA and RAC will respond in a way that supports transparency, accountability, and the RVing values we all believe in.
I do want to note that we have not personally stayed at this campground and these reports are from followers who have stayed in the campground as recently as the last few months. We have stayed in other RAC campgrounds personally and had no issues so the troubles may lie with the on site management of the KOA at Leavenworth.