The Albert Lea/Austin KOA Campground, located at 84259 County Road 46, is now open and welcoming campers for the 2012 camping season.

The Albert Lea/Austin KOA is one of 485 open-to-the-public KOA campgrounds now in the Kampgrounds of America system in the United States and Canada.

“We are celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2012, and we hope everyone who has ever enjoyed camping with us will come back, bring their friends and share the joys camping,” said KOA President Pat Hittmeier.

As part of KOA’s 50th Anniversary celebration, KOA has partnered with the Keystone RV Company and Coleman for the KOA 50th Anniversary Giveaway. Campers will have a chance to win one of 50 weeks of free KOA camping, one of eight $500 Coleman.com shopping sprees, or a $40,000 Keystone Vantage recreational vehicle. Go to www.KOA.com for details.

Campers can pick up a new 2012 50th Anniversary Edition of the KOA Directory free at any KOA campground. The Directory is a complete travel atlas of every state and Canadian province and includes listings of each KOA campground and detailed directions.

For more information on the Albert Lea/Austin KOA Campground, call the campground at 507-373-5170 or go to www.KOA.com.