Budget | Budget travel | Campgrounds

RV Membership Discount Clubs: Smart Ways To Save On Travel

ByRoadTrip Honeys February 17, 2026

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Living the RV lifestyle means you’ve really got to keep an eye on campground costs. Nightly rates can sneak up on you, especially when a lot of parks want well over $50 just for a basic site with hookups.

That’s why I always recommend looking into RV memberships and discount programs. They help you stretch your travel budget and still let you stay comfortable all over the country.

If you’ve ever browsed through the options, you know it’s easy to get lost. Every club has its own set of savings, perks, and, well, limits.

The trick is figuring out what matches your travel style. Do you like short weekend escapes or do you roam for weeks at a time? Knowing what each program really gives you makes sure you’re not tossing money or time down the drain.

RV Campground Memberships

Joining a campground membership club can honestly save you a chunk of change and make planning a whole lot easier. These programs open up access to campgrounds with free or discounted stays.

You’ll sometimes get perks like longer stays, priority reservations, or even deals on cabins. Let’s break down a few of the big names most RV folks consider.

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Thousand Trails Regional Camping Pass

The Thousand Trails regional camping pass—or Zone Pass, as most people call it—gets you into campgrounds in a specific part of the country. Thousand Trails splits the U.S. into five regions: Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast.

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Each zone comes with about 8 to 23 parks, depending on where you’re headed. Some regions are loaded with options, others, not so much.

A standard pass covers just one region, but you can tack on extra zones for a fee. That way, you get flexibility to wander across the country.

With this pass, you usually get up to 14 nights at a time in the network. If you stay more than four nights at one park, you’ll have to wait seven days before rolling into a different Thousand Trails spot.

If you camp more than two weeks a year, this plan can pay for itself pretty quickly. Say the average campground charges $40 a night—after 18 nights, you’ve basically covered your annual pass cost.

After those first 18 nights, every stay feels like you’re beating the system. But, just being honest, the quality of Thousand Trails parks is all over the map.

Some are top-tier resorts with pools and clubhouses, others are more rustic. Amenities like laundry and pools vary, so always check reviews and see if the parks fit your vibe before you commit.

If you want to branch out, you can add the Trails Collection, which brings 100+ partner parks into your lineup. That’s a pretty big boost if you like to roam.

How much you get out of it really depends on how often you’re camping. If you’re out there all the time, the savings pile up. But if you only sneak out a couple weekends a year, it might not be worth it.

Quick highlights:

For a lot of campers, Thousand Trails is a solid way to dip your toes into RV memberships. It’s affordable, and you get a structured way to travel without paying those nightly fees everywhere you go.

Thousand Trails Premium Membership Options

If you’re spending big chunks of the year on the road, it might be time to look at an enhanced Thousand Trails membership. These upgrades give you more access and a bunch of extra perks.

You’ll pay a one-time membership fee up front (sometimes you can spread it out monthly). Premium plans usually unlock all the Thousand Trails parks nationwide and the full Trails Collection.

You can stay up to 21 days at a time, and you don’t have to do that seven-day waiting period between parks. That’s a game-changer for folks who bounce around a lot.

Enhanced members also get extra discounts, like deals on cabins or even lodging outside the RV network. Sometimes they throw in a free Resort Parks International (RPI) membership for your first year, which adds even more campgrounds.

Membership levels have different terms and perks. For example, the Journey plan covers two years and starts at about $4,000. Longer terms or bigger benefits cost more, and promos can shake up the prices.

Each plan has its own reservation window, so if you’re the type who likes to book way ahead, check those details. Thousand Trails doesn’t do lifetime packages anymore, but these enhanced versions still work out for regular RVers.

If you spend at least a quarter of the year camping with them, you’ll probably come out ahead compared to paying nightly rates.

Main differences between base and enhanced memberships:

If you’re always on the move or like to settle in for weeks at a time, these enhanced packages cut down the hassle and save you money in the long run. The wider coverage and fewer restrictions just make life easier.

Resort Parks International (RPI) Club

Resort Parks International (RPI) is another big name in camping memberships, right up there with Thousand Trails. RPI links you to over 200 member-only RV resorts and about 400 public campgrounds across North America.

Some of these places even have cabins or condos if you want a break from your rig. Camping at RPI resorts usually runs about $10 a night, and public campgrounds in their network often knock 50% off the standard rate.

Cabin prices and other options change from place to place, but you’ll usually see a discount. The easiest way to get into RPI is by joining through another club, like a premium Thousand Trails plan (they often toss in a free year).

Renewals after that tend to be pretty affordable. The value you get depends a lot on your travel routes.

A lot of RPI resorts sit near the coasts or popular vacation spots—think Washington, California, Arizona. If you’re always in those areas, you’ll get your money’s worth.

Booking is painless. You just hop online, search parks, and reserve your spot. If you like to mix things up and want more options than your main membership gives you, RPI broadens your horizons.

RPI quick overview:

• Nightly rate: around $10 at member resorts
• Discounted public campgrounds: about 50% off
• Cabin and condo options
• Free year often bundled with premium Thousand Trails
• Annual renewal about $165

If you’re camping a lot in RPI’s stomping grounds, pairing it with Thousand Trails is a smart move. It probably won’t replace your main membership, but it’s a great backup where Thousand Trails doesn’t reach.

Coast to Coast Camping Network

Coast to Coast RV Resorts is another club that focuses on discounted stays at hundreds of resorts all over North America. It works a lot like RPI—most stays are about $10 a night.

To join Coast to Coast, you usually go through a participating resort. Each park sets its own prices, so annual dues and joining fees can be all over the place.

I’d suggest calling a few parks in different regions to see who’s got the best deal. Sometimes they run promos—like a free three-day, two-night stay at a member resort.

You’ll have to sit through a sales pitch, but it’s a good way to test the waters if you’re seriously considering joining. Coast to Coast makes sense for folks who like sticking with one network as they travel.

Like any club, it only saves you money if you use it a lot. If you spend most of your time in areas with Coast to Coast parks, you’ll see a nice drop in your camping bills.

Key membership highlights include:

Both Coast to Coast and RPI work on the same idea—members pay a small nightly fee, not the full campground rate. If you’re camping often in their network, that adds up to real savings over the year.

If you already have a different membership but your travels line up with Coast to Coast resorts, you might want to hold both. It gives you more options without a big jump in cost.

RV membership clubs like Thousand Trails, RPI, and Coast to Coast have become go-tos for travelers who want steady campground access and predictable costs. Some RVers also join groups like the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) or other RV discount clubs for extras like roadside help, rallies, or even more camping deals.

Your best membership really depends on how often you travel, where you like to go, and whether you want fancy amenities or just a place to park. Each plan mixes up cost, convenience, and network size a little differently.

If you take a good look at your camping habits, you’ll figure out which club gives you the most bang for your buck. Combining memberships and planning ahead can smooth out your trips, give you access to great facilities, and keep your nightly costs in check—without giving up comfort or flexibility.

RV Discount Clubs

RV discount clubs make it easy to cut travel costs and meet other RVers along the way. Every program’s a little different—they offer everything from campsite discounts to unique overnight stays on private land.

How much you save depends on where you go and how often you camp.

The Good Sam Membership Program

The Good Sam RV Club is probably the most well-known discount program in the States. For a pretty low yearly fee, you get about 10% off nightly rates at over 2,000 partner campgrounds.

Membership runs around $39 a year, and you can save a little more if you sign up for several years at once. One of the best perks is their connection with Camping World.

You get discounts on RV supplies, propane, and other gear. Members also save a few cents per gallon at Flying J fuel stops, which can really add up if you’re driving cross-country.

If you stay at RV parks regularly or shop at Camping World for supplies, you’ll make your money back quick. Even if you only travel now and then, steady use of the camping and fuel deals will cover the cost.

If you want a deep dive, check out the best RV clubs of 2025.

The Passport America Program

Passport America is all about big discounts instead of small, frequent ones. You get 50% off nightly camping rates at affiliated parks for an annual fee of about $44.

If you go for a longer membership, like a 5-year plan for $179, the yearly cost drops even more. The tradeoff? Not every campground in the network is fancy.

You’ll run into some bare-bones, no-frills spots. Still, the sheer number of parks across the country makes it great for long hauls.

If you’re crossing multiple states in a year, check your route against Passport America’s map. If enough of your stops line up, the half-off deal can easily pay for itself.

For a closer look, you might want to read this RV club comparison.

The Harvest Hosts Membership

Harvest Hosts does things a little differently. Instead of giving you discounts at big campgrounds, it connects you with wineries, farms, museums, breweries, and golf courses that let self-contained RVers stay overnight for free.

You won’t pay campground fees, but the hosts hope you’ll pick up some wine, fresh produce, or whatever they’re selling. It’s kind of an honor system, and honestly, it feels good to support small businesses while you travel.

A Harvest Hosts membership opens up way more variety than your standard RV park. The price isn’t bad, especially when you realize you’re getting access to hundreds of private spots you’d never find otherwise.

You’ll probably spend a bit at each stop, so it’s not just about saving money. Still, the experience is worth it if you ask me.

This club really shines for folks who want quiet, less crowded places and like the idea of helping out local folks.

You can always compare it to other top-rated RV memberships for 2025 if you’re still on the fence.

The Boondockers Welcome Community Membership

Boondockers Welcome is another solid option. It connects travelers with private property owners who offer free or low-cost RV camping spots.

You won’t be out on public land; these sites are usually in someone’s driveway or on their rural property. That means you get a safe place and a chance to actually meet your hosts.

Membership runs about $79 a year. If you want to save a bit more, you can bundle it with a Harvest Hosts membership.

Hosts often let you park in the driveway, and sometimes they’ll offer water or even a power hookup.

You’ll come across all sorts of hosts—some in the suburbs, others on ranches with killer views.

The best part? You actually get to know people, which doesn’t happen much at big campgrounds.

If you like quiet spots and meeting other RV folks, this club makes a lot of sense.

It also goes well with the harvest-style travel if you want a mix of rustic charm and local flavor.

You can dig deeper into combined memberships on the Harvest Hosts All Access Plan over at Boondockers Welcome listings.

The Escapees RV Club

Escapees isn’t just about discounts like Good Sam or Passport America. They mix in community events, education, and actual services for folks who live on the road.

When you join, you get access to Escapees-owned RV parks, a mail forwarding service, and some member-only deals.

They also support workamping, which means you can find part-time jobs while you travel. Handy if you want to keep busy or earn a few bucks.

If you’re planning to hit the road full-time, the Escapees RV Club helps you keep up with mail and find your people out there.

Their network of parks isn’t huge, but the support and community make up for it, in my experience.

They run seminars and get-togethers, which add a lot more than just saving a few bucks on camping.

After merging with Harvest Hosts in 2024, Escapees now groups some benefits under the All Access plan.

If you want to see how these bundles stack up, check out the comprehensive RV club breakdown.

The KOA Rewards Program

I’ve used the KOA Rewards program quite a bit, and honestly, it’s a handy option if you camp often. Kampgrounds of America runs it—not some generic RV club. When you sign up, you get 10% off nightly rates at every KOA, and the annual fee’s about $36.

Each night you stay, you rack up reward points. Once you’ve banked enough, you can trade ‘em in for free nights. It’s a nice little bonus, especially if you’re out on the road for weeks at a time.

Most KOA campgrounds keep up pretty good standards. You’ll usually find full hookups, clean restrooms (a must after a muddy hike), laundry rooms, and Wi-Fi that’s better than most truck stops.

If you’re traveling with family, KOAs are pretty reliable. They’re usually close to highways or tucked into resort towns, so you don’t have to wander too far off your route.

The KOA app is actually useful. I’ve booked sites and checked my points from a picnic table more than once. It keeps your membership info handy, which saves time when you’re rolling in late.

If you camp at KOA often, the savings add up. Plus, you know what to expect—no surprises with the showers or hookups. I’ve compared a few other clubs, and you can see how KOA stacks up on this RVBlogger list: RV Discount Clubs to Save Money.

Quick Comparison Table

A lot of travelers mix and match memberships. Some folks pair Good Sam with Harvest Hosts or Boondockers Welcome—they like having options, and honestly, so do I.

Others stick with KOA Rewards because they want consistency and don’t want to mess around with different apps or rules. I get it—sometimes you just want to know what you’re getting into after a long day behind the wheel.

Every club has its quirks. Your choice really comes down to how you like to camp and what you can’t live without. Before you hit the road, check which parks each club covers. That way, you can pick the memberships that fit your style and your route.