Taking in the landscape from an RV window is often touted as an economical way to travel.
It’s true that touring in a motorhome or travel trailer can cost less than a standard hotel-and-restaurant vacation — if you manage your spending carefully.
Cooking your own meals and avoiding nightly hotel charges can trim travel expenses, but RVing has other notable costs. Some, like filling up that thirsty vehicle, are unavoidable.
Still, you have flexibility in areas such as campground fees — which can range from free roadside or public-land parking to more than $150 a night at upscale, resort-like campgrounds in popular destinations.
Additionally, there are various discount RV clubs that claim to reduce your travel spend with exclusive offers — for a modest annual membership fee, naturally. Below is an overview of several well-known options, their costs, benefits, and our opinion on whether they’re worthwhile.
Are Discount RV Clubs Worth the Money?
Discount camping clubs are member organizations for RV enthusiasts that provide exclusive savings and special access to resources — in exchange for a fee. Typically, you pay an annual membership and then enjoy the benefits throughout the year at no extra charge.
Offers can include reduced rates on campsites, access to certain routing tools, or invitations to members-only events. Signing up is generally straightforward and can be completed online within minutes.
But which of these RV clubs actually justify the cost? Let’s take a closer look.
Good Sam
Arguably the most recognized RV club (and one of the longest-running, going back to the 1960s), Good Sam provides members with a variety of discounts and camping resources, like trip planning tools and complimentary shipping from partners such as Camping World and Gander Outdoors. It’s also a frequently advertised discount at many campgrounds — although the actual savings is commonly only around 10%.
- Cost: $29 per year, with reduced annual pricing and additional perks available for 2- or 3-year memberships.
- Perks: 10% off at select campgrounds and retailers; 15% propane discount at Camping World SuperCenters; $.05/gallon off gas and $.08/gallon off diesel; free shipping at major outdoor retailers; itinerary-planning software; complimentary dump service.
- Verdict: While Good Sam’s discounts apply in many places, the savings are modest (aside from the propane offer). The annual fee is low, though, so it can pay for itself if you camp frequently or live on the road full-time.
Passport America
Where many camping clubs offer a variety of small savings, Passport America keeps things simple: for your yearly fee, you receive 50% off nightly campground fees at more than 1,400 participating campgrounds nationwide, including spots in Mexico and Canada. Given that $75-a-night sites exist, this discount can easily cover the membership cost in just one weekend.
However, the deal is limited to participating campgrounds — and even at eligible locations, the discount may not apply if you’re already getting a reduced rate from the campground, such as a weekly or monthly discount.
- Cost: $44 per year, with lower annual rates for multi-year sign-ups.
- Perks: Half-price campsites are the primary draw, plus members receive a printed directory of participating campgrounds and a complimentary subscription to RV America Magazine.
- Verdict: Affordable enough to be worthwhile for many, but the restrictions mean you should check the campsite directory before joining. Full-timers should note the 50% off rate usually doesn’t apply to weekly or monthly sites.
Thousand Trails
Compared with most discount RV clubs, a visit to the Thousand Trails site might induce sticker shock. Memberships start at more than $600 a year.
For that price, though, you get complimentary stays at participating campgrounds in your chosen areas — and we’re talking about parks with amenities like pools, laundry facilities, and more.
There are over 190 Thousand Trails parks across the country. To join, you select a Camping Pass for one or more “zones,” geographic regions such as the Northwest, Midwest, or Southeast. You can stay at participating parks in your zone for up to 14 nights at no charge, although some sites may add fees for on-site amenities and certain busy dates may have restrictions. After a stay, you must wait seven days before using the membership again.
- Cost: Begins at $615 per year for one zone, with each extra zone costing roughly $65. There’s also a “Trails Collection” option, granting access to 100+ additional resorts for $315, though some of those still charge about $20 per night.
- Perks: Free camping! Plus discounted RV storage at select locations, seasonal promotions, and access to Thousand Trails’ reservation platform.
- Verdict: Free stays are compelling, but the zone-based structure favors those who stay within certain regions. Adding zones becomes costly, and the seven-day reuse rule limits value for full-time travelers.
Escapees
Escapees positions itself as a “comprehensive support network for RVers,” meaning discounts are just a part of its offering. The club’s true strength lies in its additional services, such as member-only events, educational workshops, rallies, and full-timer-focused services like mail forwarding and job listings.
- Cost: $49.95 per year for U.S. members
- Perks: Numerous. Beyond partner discounts at retailers and campgrounds, Escapees members gain access to a community network that provides varied support, especially useful for those living full-time on the road. Exclusive meetups and special interest groups are excellent ways to connect with fellow RVers and avoid solitude.
- Verdict: This club is more about community and services than pure savings. It may not be worthwhile for casual vacationers, but for full-timers and committed RV enthusiasts, it’s very valuable.
Harvest Hosts
Enjoy wine? Want unique, free-ish campsites?
Harvest Hosts offers a straightforward proposition: pay the annual fee and gain entry to a directory of over 2,100 vineyards, breweries, farms, and other properties that allow free overnight stays for self-contained RVs (meaning units with their own restroom facilities).
You won’t have hookups for water or electricity, but you’ll often have stunning scenery and opportunities to sample local products. (And by sample, yes, that often includes tasting local wines.) Be aware that these are private locations, and stays are generally limited to one night, occasionally two if invited.
The Harvest Hosts Code of Conduct advises making a purchase from the host as a courtesy for using their space, so expect to potentially spend an extra $30 or so to buy a bottle or other goods.
- Cost: $99 per year
- Perks: Complimentary (mostly) overnight stays at scenic rural venues featuring lovely vistas and local wines/beers/produce.
- Verdict: This membership is less about strict savings and more about unique experiences. If parking your rig beside a vineyard at sunset or sharing a meal with the grower appeals to you, it’s a delightful and accessible way to do that.
Ultimately, whether an RV club is worth it depends on how frequently you’ll use it and how much you value its offerings. Remember many of these programs include referral incentives, so you might recoup your membership fee by bringing in a few friends.
Alex Monroe’s writing has appeared in travel and lifestyle outlets. Find more at www.jamiecattanach.com.
