South Dakota to Billings, Montana: absolutely breathtaking. Wide-open spaces.
Rolling green hills. Dramatic rock formations. Livestock living their best
lives in fields that seem to have no end. And bumps in the road. BIG OL’
bumps. The kind of bumps that make you wonder if your molars are still in your
mouth. From a producer’s perspective? A DREAM. The vistas! The RV crawling up
the hill! That glorious reveal at the top! Cue the heavenly music . . . From
the crew’s perspective? Cue needle scratching record. The least favorite
filming day. That opening “arrival” shot at the beginning of every episode
looks effortless on screen, but trust us - it’s a long, hot, sweaty day of
chasing that perfect shot. Because that final stretch into a destination is
where the anticipation really kicks in. You know the feeling: We’re almost
there! Ahem . . . RV There Yet? But then we arrive in Billings and suddenly
every sweaty second is worth it. Big, rugged hills, the Yellowstone River, and
the World’s First KOA right along its banks. In this episode, we’re digging
into the story of how this legendary KOA got its start and exploring what this
beautiful corner of the country has in store for adventurous travelers.
If you have an RV, chances are you’ve stayed at a KOA. And even if you’re
not an RVer, many
Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
locations offer cabins, glamping, and other accommodations for just about
any kind of traveler. But do you know where the very first KOA started? Or
how many KOAs there are across the country today? We spent a day in
Billings, Montana, learning about this iconic American brand from CEO Toby
O’Rourke, followed by a tour of their impressive headquarters and a deeper
look at the history, mission, and vision behind this 64-year-old company.
KOA isn’t simply a campground brand. It has played a role in changing the
way Americans experience travel and the outdoors - making camping more
accessible, welcoming, and approachable for generations of travelers. And that logo? You see it and you know exactly what it means. So, how did a
single campground become one of the most recognizable names in outdoor
travel? And did KOA actually help change the way we camp today? We think so!
Come with us as we take a closer look at the fascinating story behind the
brand so many travelers have come to know and love.
A vision. A leader. A legacy that still resonates today.
Born as Chíilaphuchissaaleesh (“Buffalo Bull Facing the Wind”) near
present-day Billings, Montana, he later became known as Alaxchíia Ahú -
Chief Plenty Coups (“Many Achievements”) after earning roughly 80 feats of
valor in combat. By age 28, he had become a chief of the Mountain Crow,
eventually serving as principal chief. But it was a powerful childhood
vision that would shape the course of his life - a vision that foretold
non-Native settlers taking control of the region. Rather than choosing
continued armed resistance, Chief Plenty Coups chose cooperation, diplomacy,
education, and adaptation as a way to protect his people's homeland and
culture. He led by example, becoming one of the first Crow people to give up
the nomadic way of life, settle down, and farm. He believed learning new
agricultural practices and embracing ingenuity could help ensure the
survival of the Crow people and preserve their connection to their homeland.
In 1921, Chief Plenty Coups was chosen to represent all American Indians at
the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National
Cemetery. There, he laid down his own war bonnet and coup stick - a deeply
powerful gesture of remembrance, honor, and sacrifice. During his negotiations with the U.S. Government, and after a trip to Mt.
Vernon, he returned to his homestead and built the home that stands today.
He envisioned it as a place where Native and non-Native people could come
together. Today, that preserved log home and farmstead live on as Chief
Plenty Coups State Park on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana. Places
like this may not always be the biggest attractions, but they can be among
the most meaningful. They tell complicated, poignant stories about our
nation's past - and about the people who shaped it. Chief Plenty Coups left
an indelible mark on the history of the Crow Nation and the United States.
Pictograph Cave State Park, just outside Billings, Montana, may be only 23
acres, but it holds thousands of years of stories. Carved into Eagle sandstone
by wind and water, the park’s three main caves - Pictograph, Middle, and Ghost
Cave - were home to generations of prehistoric hunters. Along the paved trail,
interpretive displays help reveal the natural landscape, vegetation, and, most
importantly, the ancient rock art found within the caves. Some of the
pictographs are believed to be 200 to 2,100 years old, depicting animals,
warriors, hunters, and scenes from lives long ago. Yet what these images
actually meant remains open to interpretation and debate. We walked the entire
park and had the privilege of spending time with Ranger Ben, whose
storytelling brought the caves and their mysteries to life. What did these
people want to communicate? What stories were they telling? What did they hope
future generations would understand? Standing there and looking at images
created so long ago, we couldn't help but think about the voices behind them -
and how incredible it is that those voices are still being heard today. We love places like this: where history isn't simply something we read about,
but something we can stand beside, look at, and wonder about.
When the pub is the heart of the village . . .
In earlier times, the pub or “public house”was often the gathering place
where a community came together to share a meal, a drink, and a story. In
Billings, Montana,
Last Chance Pub & Cider Mill
has captured that spirit beautifully. Housed in a restored warehouse on
Historic Montana Avenue, the Pub & Mill blends rugged Montana-industrial
character with a warm, inviting atmosphere. At the heart of the dining room,
a floor-to-ceiling German-style fireplace sets the tone: cozy, welcoming,
and made for lingering. And then there’s the cider. Guests can actually
peek into the cider mill from select booths and watch the magic happen. Last
Chance uses hand-picked apples sourced exclusively from Montana, Michigan,
and Oregon - no commercial concentrates or juices. The result? Fresh,
wonderfully apple-forward ciders ranging from sweet to dry. And if you
happen to visit between October and March, Thursdays are extra special - the
apples are pressed right there in the mill. Dinner and a show! We loved
our time in Billings and the warm welcome at Last Chance Pub & Cider
Mill.
Watch the episode
here
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