Introduction to Membership Camping
January 11, 2011 1 Comment
Membership campgrounds offer a wide variety of campsites
Membership camping has become a popular alternative to paying per night for a campsite. Although membership campgrounds generally cater to RV travelers, some parks do offer a few tent sites. Whether or not to join a campground membership organization depends largely on your budget, the number of nights that you camp per year, how far you travel and your personal camping style.
Types of Campground Memberships
Membership park sites are usually fairly level and reasonably large
One of the most popular types of campground membership is the Thousand Trails model, also used by organizations such as NACO, Outdoor World and Mid-Atlantic. In this model you pay a certain amount of money, generally a few thousand dollars, for a three-year or five-year membership. Annual dues are a few hundred dollars. In exchange, you can camp for free in parks that are part of that particular membership organization. There are generally restrictions on the number of nights in a row that you can be in the system and how far in advance you can make reservations. Less expensive memberships will restrict you to certain geographical areas, fewer nights in the system, and shorter reservation windows.
Another popular model is used by systems such as RPI, Enjoy America and Passport America. In this model, you pay a nominal fee (typically less than $200 per year) in exchange for discounted camping. Some systems charge a flat per-night fee of $10 or $15, while others offer 50% off the generally available rate. There are restrictions on the number of nights you can use in a row, and some systems also limit the number of nights per year. You may also be limited to parks that are more than 125 air miles from your home. Enhanced memberships that include more parks or fewer restrictions are sometimes available at a surcharge.
A third option is to join a camping club that provides numerous camping-related benefits along with a small discount at some parks. Good Sam’s and Escapees are examples of this type. Escapees also offers a small network of members-only parks that charge a low per-night fee.
Alternatives to Membership Camping
Parties with live entertainment are frequent offerings at membership parks
Membership campgrounds are generally equivalent to mid-range resorts, although the quality can vary greatly. Amenities often include recreation halls with scheduled activities, mini-golf, boat rentals, sports courts, swimming pools and an assortment of puzzles and games. If you prefer a more rustic camping experience, state parks and federal parks are inexpensive and offer a more comprehensive collection of outdoor experiences such as hiking trails and natural flora and fauna.
Likewise, if you prefer an upscale luxury experience, membership camping may not meet your expectations. High-end resorts generally draw enough business on their own that they have little incentive to join a membership organization. Expect to pay a premium for such amenities as concrete RV pads, oversized sites and an enhanced menu of guided activities, as well as parks that are located near major attractions.
When Does Membership Camping Make Sense?
Some membership campgrounds offer heavily wooded sites
Membership camping only makes sense when you use it enough to realize a savings. Dad and I are full-time RVers, and we have been Thousand Trails members since 2009. We primarily travel to places that are within the organization’s national network, and our membership also entitles us to use NACO, Outdoor World and Mid-Atlantic parks. We recently upgraded to an Elite membership that allows us to stay for three weeks in any one park and travel directly from park to park without going out of the system first. We pay both our membership fee and dues on a monthly basis, and have found that membership saves us hundreds of dollars each year.
For the times that we are not near a Thousand Trails park, we utilize Enjoy America, RPI, Escapees and Good Sam’s. We also spend some time in state and federal parks. The camping club memberships do not save us as much money as the Thousand Trails membership does, but we do save enough to more than make up for the modest annual fees.
However, membership camping is not right for many people. If you camp only a few times a year, do not regularly camp in places near the member parks, or prefer a different type of camping experience, then you may not enjoy membership camping at all. It is best not to jump into any sort of membership when you first start camping. Instead, keep a log of your camping trips, noting the location, amenities and price you paid. After a few months, you will be aware of your actual expenses and your real-life camping patterns. At that point, you will be equipped to start looking into membership possibilities.
Tips for Parents
The landscaping is generally beautiful
Although some smaller membership systems are designed primarily or solely for adults (often of retirement age), most larger campground systems actively work to bring in families. Look for activities such as Candy Bar Bingo, arts and crafts, movie nights, family-friendly musical performers, and pool parties at most membership campgrounds. As is true in any tourism business, you will find the most kids during the summer season and school breaks. Increasing numbers of families are choosing to RV full-time, however, making it relatively easy to find at least a few kids at membership parks throughout the year.
Of course, not all parks are created equal, and even within a membership system the quality can vary widely. One of the biggest advantages of RVing in general is that if you don’t like the park, it’s easy to move. You are not locked in to a particular reservation. You can change your dates at will and check out whenever you want. You are typically free to move on to another membership park if you have stayed for four nights or fewer, but this may vary depending on your specific contract. This flexibility allows you to try out new places without worrying that someone in the family may be bored or restless.
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