RE: KOAs
We often break up the 8-hour drive between our favorite Central Coast beach campground and home, just east of Death Valley National Park, at KOA's in either Apple Valley or Barstow. Neither is anything special, but prices aren't too bad and they both have pools. Apple Valley KOA has lots of shade, Barstow doesn't - but Apple Valley also has kind of trashy full-time residents, and lots of kids. I feel like KOA is where you camp when there's nothing better nearby and you just have to get off the road.
Two very nice KOA's we've stayed at, only for a night at each, were in Gunnison, CO, and Cloverdale, CA.
Gail