Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday Owners Announce Sale of Campground
COLOMA/ST. JOSEPH KOA HOLIDAY OWNERS ANNOUNCE SALE TO KCN CAMPGROUNDS, RETIREMENT
After ten years, thousands of guests and countless s’mores shared around campfires, Mark and Karla Lemoine, owners of the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, have announced the sale of their beloved campground.
The campground has been acquired by KCN Campgrounds, an investment group that owns and operates a portfolio of premier campgrounds across the United States. KCN is the second-largest multi-park owner within the KOA system.
“As this community knows, we have poured our hearts, our lives, and yes—even our life savings—into revitalizing this campground,” said Mark Lemoine. “We thank God for blessing that journey and for allowing us to build something special alongside an incredible team, serve thousands of wonderful guests, and become part of a community that welcomed us with open arms.”
Arthur Havlicek, President and CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce, praised the Lemoines’ impact on the region.
“The Lemoines demonstrated the perfect balance of entrepreneurial grit and civic responsibility," Havlicek said. “We thank them for their outstanding stewardship of this gem in our community and appreciate the care they took in finding the right buyer to preserve and build upon their legacy of exceptional hospitality, guest service, and community involvement.”
With eleven campgrounds across the country, including great destinations such as the Wisconsin Dells, Hot Springs National Park, Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Gettysburg battlefield, the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday will become KCN Campgrounds’ first property in Michigan.
"We are honored to become only the third owners of the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA since it opened in 1974,” said Kevin Thueson, Founder and Managing Partner of KCN Campgrounds. “We’re excited to establish a presence in southwest Michigan and explore future investments that strengthen both this campground and our growing portfolio while creating memorable camping experiences for generations of families.”
Part of Kampgrounds of America—the world’s largest system of privately owned campgrounds—the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday has become one of the flagship properties within the KOA network. Located just minutes from the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan, it has earned a reputation for exceptional guest experiences and innovative outdoor hospitality.
"Mark and Karla Lemoine have been exceptional KOA franchisees and have earned tremendous respect throughout our system,” said Toby O’Rourke, President and CEO of KOA. “Their story is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through entrepreneurship, dedication, and partnership with KOA. We’re proud to celebrate all they have built and accomplished and are also excited that KCN Campgrounds will carry their legacy forward and continue delivering outstanding outdoor hospitality in Michigan’s Great Southwest.”
Since September 2024, Mark has also served as Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations for KOA, Inc., headquartered in Billings, Montana. Following the sale of the campground, Mark and Karla have announced plans to retire at the end of the year. They look forward to spending more time traveling, caring for Mark’s elderly mother, and enjoying life with their adult children and grandchildren.
Reflecting on the journey, Karla Lemoine shared the couple’s deep connection to West Michigan. “West Michigan will always hold a special place in our hearts,” she said. “I was born and raised in Zeeland, Mark and I met while attending Calvin University, we began our careers together in Grand Rapids, and we concluded this chapter of our lives here at the campground. Our connection to this community will continue through our family as well, as our two youngest daughters both married young men they met while attending Coloma High School.”
She concluded, “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who encouraged us, supported us, and gave us a place to belong. The friendships and memories we’ve made here will stay with us for the rest of our lives.”
About Fifth Level Hospitality, Inc.: Fifth Level Hospitality, Inc., is locally-owned and operated by Mark & Karla Lemoine and is doing business as the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday. They are franchisees of Kampgrounds of America (KOA), the largest outdoor hospitality organization in the world. Located in Hagar Township, this southwest Michigan campground is the closest KOA to Lake Michigan and offers guests 128 sites for tents, RVs, camping cabins, deluxe cabins, and Rustic-chic glamping tents. Amenities include an in-ground heated pool, jumping pillow, mini-golf, gem mining sluice, fun bike rentals, hammock haven, wooded nature trail, and the Campfire Café featuring espresso coffees, Hunt Brothers pizza and wings, hand-dipped ice cream, and more. For info/reservations, visit www.stjosephkoa.com.
About Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber: The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber is a non-profit business advocacy and collective-impact organization serving Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. Established in 1954, the Chamber works to strengthen regional assets, advocate for regional priorities, and cultivate an economic ecosystem that prepares the region for future opportunities.
