RV Membership and Discount Clubs—Benefits and Features

You’ve been thinking about joining an RV membership or discount club but aren’t sure which one would be best. Go with one that offers a wide range of perks or stick with the one that focuses on discounts on places to stay?

To help you make your decision and weigh your options, we’ve pulled together a list of seven RV membership options and listed some of the benefits they offer along with the cost of membership. Check out the individual websites for more information.

Some bonus advice about choosing a membership club came from Michigander Kelli Nina Perkins who travels full-time with her husband Bill Parrott in their Cirrus Truck Camper. “I think your first year out, you should try them all,” she said. “Just bite the bullet and join everything so you can find out what’s your style. You just don’t know what you don’t know, and other people’s experiences will only tell you so much.”

Kelli’s second and smart, suggestion is to keep a good list of membership renewal dates in your calendar. “That way you are not surprised by auto-renewals.”

Membership fees: $99/year, $139 for Harvest Hosts + GOLF plan.

Harvest Hosts locations offer free one-night stays at more than 2,110 wineries, breweries, farms, and attractions in the lower 48 United States, Canada, Alaska, and Baja California. For an additional cost, you can get access to 400 golf courses and country clubs as well as spa facilities and restaurants.

According to the website, joining Harvest Hosts provides RVers with a different way to meet fellow travelers, stay overnight at unique and gorgeous settings, and create memories of experiences not available at traditional campgrounds.

While all classes of RVs are allowed (Class A, Class B, Class C) including motorhomes, fifth-wheel trailers, travel trailers, toy haulers, camper vans, truck campers, and schoolies, they must be self-contained with a toilet, water tank, and inside cooking facilities. Also, host locations don’t provide hookups. Pets are permitted at nearly all host sites provided they are leashed and kept at your camper.

Find more information at harvesthosts.com/.

Membership fees: $49.95/year (U.S.) and $59.95/year (Canada, Mexico); $64.95/year (other countries)

Escapees RV Club is open to all RVers and all types of rigs: motorhomes, camper vans, fifth-wheel trailers, toy haulers, travel trailers, and truck campers. While the website says it’s not a discount club, it does have a network of discounts and services under one umbrella, including support services, educational resources, and a community of other RVers.

Membership includes discounts at a wide range of RV parks—18 owned by Escapees as well as more than 800 commercial RV parks—with a choice of short- and long-term stays, leases, and deeded and membership-type home bases. It also offers savings and discounts via its Commercial Member and Partner directory.

For more information visit escapees.com/.

Membership fees: $50/year

Boondockers Welcome (a Harvest Host company) is a membership that provides a safe and legal place for RVers to spend up to three nights, either on private property or a commercial location owned by a Boondockers Welcome host. With more than 3,000 locations worldwide, some of which do offer hookups, and a range of access for different types of RVers, Boondockers Welcome is a workable option for those who want to avoid campground fees or who prefer not to spend the night in the wild.

For more information visit rvlifestyle.com/boondockerswelcome.

Membership fees: $44/year, $79/2 years, $109/3 years, $179/5 years, $379/lifetime

Passport America membership comes with a 50% discount at more than 1,450 quality campgrounds in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Members also receive a free online subscription to the RV America Magazine as well as access to numerous programs, discounts, and benefits created exclusively for Passport America RV Discount Camping Card.

Membership is good for one RV on one RV site, with each park owner/manager determining the number of people within one RV that is included in the nightly fee. Any additional applicable charges are noted in the Important Campground Notes section of their Passport America directory listing following the asterisk. Since each park is individually owned and operated, refer to the Important Campground Notes for the length of stay limitations and other details. Some campgrounds have full hook-ups with electricity and water with a comfort station, while others have electricity, water, and sewer hookups. (Note: the campsites are on a space availability basis.)

For more information visit passportamerica.com/.

Membership fees: $615/annual (single zone, additional zones $65)

Thousand Trails has 81 campgrounds in 22 states and British Columbia, divided among five camping zones: Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast, with no nightly fees. The resorts and campgrounds are a mix of a relaxing atmosphere and resort-style amenities, with fun events and activities for the whole family.

Most of the campsites are fully equipped with electrical, water, and sewer hookups, as well as barbecue pits and picnic tables, and can accommodate a wide variety of RVs, from pop-up campers to Class A motorhomes. Rental accommodations, from cabins and cottages to yurts and tiny houses, are also available. Refer to the site’s RV and Site Standards & Guidelines for additional information and restrictions.

For more information visit thousandtrails.com/.

Membership fees: $33.00/year plus applicable taxes

KOA Rewards membership comes with a 10% discount at more than 500 KOA locations throughout North America, plus the ability to earn points for your stay to get discounts toward camping. During KOA Rewards Weekend you can also enjoy a free night at participating KOA Campgrounds. As part of the KOA Rewards membership, you can access special discounts from Goodyear Tires, KOA Health + by Careington International Corporation, Allstate RV Roadhelp, RV Loan Center by Essex Credit, and Dish TV.

For more information visit koa.com/rewards/.

Membership fees: $29/year; $50/2 years Plus $15 merchandise certificate; $79/3 years Plus $30 merchandise certificate and exclusive Elite benefits!

Good Sam membership offers a 10% discount on the regular nightly RV site rate at any of the 2,100+ Good Sam RV Parks & Campgrounds in the U.S. & Canada. Also included are discounts at Camping World, Gander RV & Outdoors, Good Sam RV Parks, and select Pilot Flying J locations.

For more information visit goodsam.com/club/.