We were very naive when we started our full-timing adventure due to a lack of camping experience and did not even know there were such things as RV Clubs. After spending $240 for four (4) days of camping in Colorado last summer, we quickly realized our budget was going to either need adjusting or we needed to adjust our way of camping.
Our two most expensive budget line items are fuel and campground fees. We try to offset our campground fees by dry-docking along our travel routes and staying longer in one destination to benefit from weekly or monthly rates rather than the daily rates, which are often 40-50% more than the monthly rates. For example, we are currently in south Texas for the winter and our monthly rate is $649 or $21.63 a day, based on 30 days. The daily rate at our RV resort is $50 a day. Another great way to save on campground fees is to boondock in National Forrest or on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ground, which is FREE!!
RV memberships offer a variety of benefits such as discounted stays in associate RV parks and campgrounds, as well as related services such as RV Insurance, and RV Road Service. As you read along, each membership has its own advantages or you can combine two or more to serve your way of camping.
Escapees Club
Website: https://www.escapees.com/
Annual Cost: $39.95 US / $49.95 (Canada and Mexico)
The Escapees RV Club is probably one of the most recognizable clubs in the RV industry. They are a one stop shop for all of your traveling needs to include discounts of 15%-50% at over 800 commercial RV parks, roadside assistance, healthcare solutions, and RV accessories discounts. The Escapees RV Club also offers a mail-forwarding service ranging from $95-$135 annually for those who live the nomadic lifestyle. If socializing among other RV’ers is important to you, Escapees RV Club has several regional chapters as well as hosting an annual rally drawing upwards of 800+ RVs each year.
Passport America
Website: https://www.passportamerica.com/
Annual Cost: 1 yr $44.00 / 2yr $79.00 / 3yr $109 / 5yr $179 / Lifetime $399
Passport America is the largest discount camping club available to RV’ers. They have over 1,800 participating campgrounds offering 50% discounts on a space available basis. It is easy to justify the one-year membership during your first or second camping trip. Their are some restrictions with several of the participating campgrounds such as holidays, festivals, or prime season but the savings far outweigh the restrictions.
Harvest Hosts
Website: https://harvesthosts.com
Annual Cost: $79.00 or $119.00 (Golf Course/Country Clubs)
Harvest Hosts is one of the newer, most exciting membership clubs in the RV world offering an unique camping experience at over 717 locations throughout the United States. These locations include 404 Wineries/Breweries/Distilleries; 194 Farms; and 119 Museums/Attractions; and 302 Golf Courses and Country Clubs. There are some caveats to this membership: 1) You must have a self-contained RV as sites do not have any services; 2) Overnight stays are limited to one night unless the host allows multiple nights; 3) You must maintain liability insurance on your RV and vehicles. There is also an expectation the member spends a minimum of $20.00 to support the host.
Boondockers Welcome
Website: https://www.boondockerswelcome.com
Annual Cost: 1yr. $30.00 / 3yr. $75.00
This membership opportunity is similar to Harvest Hosts. All across the United States, you will find hosts, most who also RV, offering you a place to stay FREE at their home, business, etc. during your travels for 1-3 nights. You simply peruse the BW website map along your route, find a host, send the host a reservation request, and voila. If the host has room for your rig, you simply show up and kindly leave a review of your stay after you leave. Most users of BW like to leave a small gift or gratuity for their host as a gesture of thanks.
Thousand Trails
Website: https://www.thousandtrails.com
Annual Cost: $585.00
Thousand Trails offers five camping zones: Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast with approximately 81 campgrounds throughout the United States. For an annual fee, you choose a particular zone you will be camping in for the year. Once you make a reservation at a TT campground in that zone, you can stay up to 14 days at a time. After each stay, you have to be out of the system for 7 days before you can go to another park and stay for another 14 days for free. These memberships have a 60-day reservation window and are renewed yearly.
Good Sam Club
Website: https://www.goodsam.com
Annual Cost: 1yr $29.00 / 2yr $50.00 / 3yr $75.00
Good Sam Club memberships will not get you as much of a discount as the other membership clubs but it is quite diverse. Your membership will include a 10% discount at all Camping Worlds; 10% discount at over 2,400 campgrounds; $.05 off gas and $.08 off diesel at select Pilot and Flying J locations; and 10% discounts at Gander Outdoors and Overtons. Good Sam also offers insurance services and roadside assistance programs.
We have memberships to three of the above clubs: Escapees, Passport America, and Good Sam Club. All three clubs have helped reduce our camping fees during our travels and have provided us with additional camping resources. Good luck with your research!!
Tracy, the expert behind OurNextRVAdventure.com, brings over 9 years of experience in travel writing and RV living. With a Master’s degree in Travel and Tourism Management, she offers in-depth knowledge on RV maintenance, scenic routes, and campground recommendations. Connect with her adventures on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
