The Albert Lea/Austin KOA Campground, located at 84259 County Road 46, is now open and welcoming campers for the 2011 summer camping season.

The Albert Lea/Austin KOA is one of 475 open-to-the-public KOA campgrounds now in the Kampgrounds of America system in the United States and Canada.

“Campers in this area are very fortunate to have a wonderful camping facility like this right in their own backyard,” said Kampgrounds of America President Pat Hittmeier. “We at KOA work very hard to ensure we have quality, well-trained staff on hand to provide our campers with a great camping experience. Free time is hard to come by, and we want to make sure we can help you make the most of the time you have.”

Last summer, despite economic challenges, a record number of campers enjoyed KOA campgrounds.

“A lot of campers are discovering that they have a great KOA very close to home,” Hittmeier said. “We want to encourage everyone to come on out this spring and summer and give this KOA a try. It’s a fantastic, affordable way to reconnect with your family and friends and make the best possible use of your limited free time.”

All campers are reminded that they can pick up a new 2011/2012 KOA Directory absolutely free at any KOA campground. The Directory is a complete travel atlas of every state and Canadian province, and includes descriptive listings of each KOA campground as well as detailed maps and directions to each location.

For more information on the Albert Lea/Austin KOA Campground, or to make your reservations, call the campground at (800) 562-5196 or go to www.KOA.com.

Kampgrounds of America, founded on the banks of the Yellowstone River in 1962, is now the world’s largest system of open-to-the-public family campgrounds. KOA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012.