Are RV Campground Memberships Actually Worth It? Real User Experiences
It's one of the most common questions in RV communities: "Are campground memberships really worth it?" The answer isn't simple—it depends entirely on your camping style, frequency, and flexibility. Let's dive into real experiences from RVers who've tried these programs and learn from their successes and frustrations.
The Big Question: To Join or Not to Join?
When Franco asked the RV community if campground memberships were worth subscribing to, he received a wide range of responses—from enthusiastic endorsements to cautionary tales. The diversity of experiences reveals an important truth: there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
Key Insight:
The value of a campground membership is directly proportional to how much you'll actually use it. A $600 membership can save you thousands—or become a costly paperweight gathering dust.
Coast to Coast: The Success Story
Debbi's experience with Coast to Coast demonstrates how tracking your ROI can reveal the true value of a membership. She took a methodical approach:
Her Strategy:
- Created a spreadsheet to track membership value versus cost
- Included yearly fees plus the $5 per-night camping cost
- Discovered they were camping more frequently at $5/night
- Less than $1,000 away from recovering all costs
Why it worked for her:
- Purchased during COVID when prices were favorable
- Increased camping frequency due to low nightly costs
- Tracked usage to ensure they were getting value
- Will have recovered costs within the first few years
Real User Quote:
"I found out that we are camping more yearly since we are only paying $5 per night. And we have less than $1000 left to recover our costs." —Debbi
The Thousand Trails Controversy
Not all membership experiences are positive. One RVer expressed significant frustration with their resort membership—likely Thousand Trails or a similar program—highlighting common complaints you should consider.
The Problems They Encountered:
- Rising maintenance fees: Annual costs increased every year
- Public access: Parks opened spots to non-members, reducing exclusivity
- Feeling of unfairness: Paying members subsidizing public use
Warning Sign:
Watch for memberships with escalating annual fees. Calculate your breakeven point based on maximum expected costs, not just the introductory rate. A membership that seems like a bargain at $500/year may not be worth it at $800/year.
Flexibility vs. Savings: The Core Trade-off
Becca's 22 years of RV experience led her to a different conclusion: freedom trumps membership savings. Her perspective highlights an often-overlooked cost of memberships—the limitation on where you can camp.
Why she avoids memberships:
- Doesn't want to limit camping location choices
- Values variety in camping experiences
- Prefers spontaneous travel over planned stays
- 22 years of successful RVing without memberships
This raises an important question: Is the money you save worth the constraints on your travel freedom? For some, absolutely. For others, the flexibility to camp anywhere outweighs potential savings.
Passport America: The Clear Winner
Multiple RVers mentioned Passport America as providing the best value among discount programs. Here's why it consistently gets recommended:
Cost: Around $44/year
Benefit: 50% off at participating campgrounds
Advantages:
- Low annual fee means quick breakeven (2-3 nights)
- Large network of participating campgrounds
- No high upfront investment required
- Easy to cancel if it doesn't work for you
- Full-timers report saving "several hundred dollars a year"
Limitations:
- Often restricted to Sunday-Thursday stays
- Some campgrounds limit to one discount night
- Quality varies significantly between participating parks
Real User Quote:
"When we were full time Passport America saved us several hundred dollars a year... KOA is probably the least savings from a practical standpoint." —Rick
Good Sam: Mixed Value Proposition
Good Sam gets mentioned frequently, but users note it provides moderate savings rather than dramatic discounts:
Cost: Around $29/year
Benefits: 10% discount at Good Sam parks, fuel discounts, roadside assistance deals
Reality check: One user noted it "saves a little but not as much as Passport America." The 10% discount is helpful but not game-changing. You'll need to stay at least 10 nights at Good Sam parks to break even on the $29 fee.
Best used for:
- Fuel discounts if you use Pilot Flying J frequently
- Camping World shopping discounts
- Adding to other memberships, not replacing them
KOA Value Kard: Premium Parks, Minimal Savings
KOA memberships received the most skeptical feedback. While KOA campgrounds are typically high-quality with excellent amenities, the math doesn't always work out:
The Problem:
- KOAs are among the most expensive campgrounds
- 10% discount saves only $5-10 per night
- Starting at $50-100/night, even with discount they're pricey
- Better deals often available at non-KOA campgrounds
When it makes sense:
- You have kids and value KOA's family amenities (pools, playgrounds)
- You strongly prefer KOA's consistent quality
- You're earning points toward free nights through frequent stays
- You're already staying at KOAs regardless of cost
Special Events:
KOA offers special discount weekends: reduced rates in May and an appreciation weekend in September where Saturday night is free with Friday night paid. Plan around these events to maximize value.
The Boondocking Alternative: Zero Cost Camping
Stephen's advice to "learn to boondock and pay zero $$$" represents the ultimate cost-saving strategy—avoiding campground fees entirely. Boondocking (free camping on public lands or designated areas) can save thousands annually.
Boondocking benefits:
- Completely free camping on BLM land, national forests
- Often more scenic and peaceful than campgrounds
- Greater sense of freedom and adventure
- No reservations or booking hassles
Requirements:
- Self-sufficient RV setup (solar panels, large tanks)
- Comfort with dry camping (no hookups)
- Research skills to find legal boondocking spots
- Flexibility in location (boondocking isn't available everywhere)
For RVers equipped for off-grid camping, boondocking eliminates the need for most memberships. Combined with occasional campground stays using Passport America, this hybrid approach offers maximum savings.
Other Discount Options Worth Considering
Brenda's experience highlights alternatives to traditional memberships:
AAA Membership:
- Many campgrounds offer AAA discounts
- Also provides roadside assistance (valuable for RVers)
- Discounts on attractions, hotels, and other travel expenses
- Good complement to other memberships
Senior Passes:
- America the Beautiful Senior Pass: $80 lifetime pass for ages 62+
- 50% off camping at federal recreation sites
- Free entry to all national parks
- "Worth it" according to Robin, who's tried multiple programs
Free Camping with Purchases:
Brenda mentioned Passport America offering "some free nights"—likely referring to their occasional promotional offers or points programs that provide complimentary stays after a certain number of paid nights.
The Coast to Coast Challenge: Making It Work
Diane's detailed experience with Coast to Coast reveals the hidden challenges of resort memberships that aren't always discussed in sales pitches:
Initial Struggles:
- Required a meeting with company representatives to make it viable
- Very steep buy-in cost
- Recovery from initial investment takes "a couple of years"
- Annual dues require increasingly more planning to justify
Operational Challenges:
- Two-week maximum stays with constant pressure to move
- Space availability not confirmed until last minute
- Driving by "half empty" parks after being told no space
- Sometimes had to drive miles to reach available park, then commute daily
- Home park restrictions made extended stays difficult
Real User Quote:
"I found when we let the memberships go that we were far lighter and did not worry about where we stayed. We opened up to other options and found that our travel was easier." —Diane
Diane's eventual decision to cancel reveals an important reality: sometimes the stress and limitations of managing a membership outweigh the financial savings. Her travel became easier and more enjoyable without the membership constraints.
Decision Framework: Is a Membership Right for You?
Based on these real user experiences, here's how to evaluate whether a campground membership makes sense for your situation:
DEFINITELY Get Passport America If:
- You camp at least 3-4 times per year
- You're comfortable with Sunday-Thursday travel
- You don't mind variable campground quality
- You want an easy, low-risk membership to try
Consider Coast to Coast / Thousand Trails If:
- You camp 50+ nights per year
- You're willing to track usage meticulously
- You're comfortable with 14-day stay limits and 7-day gaps
- You can plan travel around member park locations
- You have time to work through potential booking issues
- You can afford the steep upfront investment
Add Good Sam If:
- You frequently fuel at Pilot Flying J stations
- You shop regularly at Camping World
- You want roadside assistance discounts
- You stay at Good Sam parks often
Skip Memberships and Focus on Boondocking If:
- Your RV is set up for off-grid camping
- You value freedom over amenities
- You're comfortable without hookups
- You enjoy scenic, remote locations
- You have the research skills to find free camping
Avoid High-Investment Memberships If:
- You don't know where you want to camp yet
- You value spontaneous travel over planning
- You can't afford the upfront cost comfortably
- You camp fewer than 25 nights per year
- You prefer variety in camping locations over repeated visits
The Tracking Strategy: Learn from Debbi
Debbi's spreadsheet approach is the smartest way to evaluate any membership:
Create a simple tracking system:
- Record the initial membership cost
- Add annual renewal fees
- Track each night stayed and the per-night cost
- Calculate what you would have paid at regular campgrounds
- Monitor your progress toward breakeven
This data-driven approach removes guesswork. You'll know exactly whether your membership is paying off or costing you money.
The Bottom Line: Test Before Committing
The RV community's experiences reveal a clear pattern: low-investment memberships like Passport America ($44) and Good Sam ($29) provide solid value with minimal risk. High-investment resort memberships can save thousands—but only if you'll actually use them extensively and can tolerate the restrictions.
Start with low-cost options. Track your actual camping patterns for a full year. Then, and only then, consider whether a high-investment membership aligns with your proven camping habits—not your aspirational plans.
As multiple experienced RVers noted, sometimes the best "membership" is the freedom to camp wherever you want, whenever you want. Whether through boondocking or simply paying as you go, that flexibility might be worth more than any discount.
Calculate Your Camping Costs
Use our RV Cost Calculator to estimate your annual camping expenses with and without memberships, helping you make a data-driven decision about which programs genuinely provide value for your travel style.