campground memberships - help!!!

[lolausa]

My husband and I are going to be full-timers for a year starting soon, and I'm confused as to all the campground membership options - I would appreciate some help.

We like to go off the beaten track and would ultimately like to stay near national parks. We're not looking for any "resort"- like parks, mostly areas where tents can go too.

Are the "buy-in" memberships worth it? I've heard ok things about Passport America and Coast to Coast, but it seems they don't allow you stay very long
(for the most part) and they don't accept any discounts in Florida in the winter
(where we plan to stay). Are they really worth it?

Thanks so much for any insight you can offer.:)

[wagon217]

Thousand trails has two parks in Florida and many snowbirds rotate between those parks during the winter season. You can check them out and many folks stay there for two weeks then move to the other park.

Thousand Trails also has some associate parks and there are a few of those around Florida as well.

Good luck with your hunt.

[utmtman]

A lot of people talk of all the money they save and all the places they stay in those clubs but I see a lot of them also selling their memberships and have also talk to many who wished they had never bought them. I have have only membership with good sam life time and koa from time to time. Since I have a disability pass for all national parks I get to stay for half price. That type of pass can also be purchased for 80 dollars a year, 10 dollars one time if you are over 62 or it is free if you are disabled. I have also found that by staying at rv parks for two weeks or more and paying by the month or week I can get prices as low or lower than most the camping clubs out there.

[janetgary]

Memberships can be a good thing for those who will use it. In your situation it sounds like you would be better of without. Like the previous poster suggested get an annual NP pass. Senior is only $10.00 (62 yrs). If not a senior $80.00 per year is still a bargain to experience our wonderful parks.
We have a membership in Vegas and also in Bullhead City AZ (by Laughlin). We use it in the winter months. We can stay free for two weeks and pay for our out week if we want. But we like to spend most of the winter in Vegas. It works for us.
Good Sam is a great deal 10% off all Good Sam parks. We also have Passport America. This is cheap, and although sometimes it is only good for a night or two, while traveling that might be all you need at that place (50% off). These are usually not destination type parks but good for overnight while getting from point A to B.
From what you said it sounds like you would do good with Good Sam, Passport America, NP annual Pass, and also stay in some of our wonderful State Parks. They are very beautiful and very reasonable.
Have a great time no matter what you decide. Life is too short not to enjoy every minute.:D

[janetgary]

By the way you must belong to a membership park to sign onto Coast to Coast. It is approx $99.00 per year. You can stay at their affilated parks for up to a week at a time. Most of these are RV type resorts. With you stating that you like to go off the beaten path I still think our NP's and State Parks are your best bet. Every state has wonderful state parks and you can reserve online. For state parks www.reserveamerica.com and for Federal Parks www.recreation.gov. Enjoy!!!!

Janet and Gary

[utmtman]

Coast to Coast like Passport America are kinda pricey for what little you may end up using them. Unless you dedicate all your trips around their connected parks they are a waste of good money.

[murffdog]

With all due respect, not true, at $44 a year, (Passport America) tell me where you can get a better deal where you use their service and pay for it in a one night stay. With the price of gas and fuel, you are seeing more and more RV'ers making short trips instead of the long hauls. There are within my area, within an hours drive, 5 Passport America CG's and at 50% off and if you look at the minor fine print, you cannot beat it compared the overpriced and nichol dime you to death KOA's in this area. It is the best deal IF you use the discount CG's at what they are intended to do.

[2dreamweavers]

I agree with murffdog.We have been Passport America members for 3 years and have saved enough to pay for the membership for the three years ten times over.It has been the best $109 I ever spent!!!

John

[utmtman]

With all due respect, not true, at $44 a year, (Passport America) tell me where you can get a better deal where you use their service and pay for it in a one night stay. With the price of gas and fuel, you are seeing more and more RV'ers making short trips instead of the long hauls. There are within my area, within an hours drive, 5 Passport America CG's and at 50% off and if you look at the minor fine print, you cannot beat it compared the overpriced and nichol dime you to death KOA's in this area. It is the best deal IF you use the discount CG's at what they are intended to do.

Ok that is easy if I may an average of 5 to 12 dollars a night for 365 days thats 2555 a year if I pay 44 plus 25 to 50 a night to use pa that is 13505 a year plus membership cost of 44. Now tell me which is cheaper. And than add the 10 to 20 miles you have to drive out of your way to get to a PA camp from major highways that adds a lot of extra gas.

In the past year I have paid 2617 for RV parks. And never went out of my way for a camp site. Included in that just happened to be one PA campground in New Mexico that I would not recommend to my worse enemy.

Also show me one PA campground you can get into without making a reservation during a holiday weekend. Most require six months in advance reservations. Been there done that.