I like this topic because it’s something many new RVers wonder about. I also like that you’re honest about not belonging to most of the clubs. It makes the article sound like an overview rather than a sales pitch. Here’s a cleaned-up version.

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Are RV Camping Clubs Worth Joining?

One question that comes up frequently among RV owners is whether it’s worth joining an RV club or camping membership program.

The answer really depends on how often you camp, where you like to travel, and what you’re looking for.

Discount Clubs

The most familiar club to many RV owners is Good Sam.

For years, Good Sam has offered members discounts at participating campgrounds, Camping World and Gander RV stores, and fuel savings at participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers. They also offer roadside assistance, trip planning resources, and several other member benefits.

If you camp regularly, it’s not difficult to recover the cost of your membership through campground and fuel discounts alone. Memberships are available in one- and multi-year options, with three-year memberships typically costing less than $100.

In fact, many campgrounds ask if you’re a Good Sam member before they ask almost anything else when you call to make a reservation.

Membership Camping Networks

Another type of camping club works a little differently.

Programs such as Thousand Trails, Coast to Coast, Adventure Outdoor Resorts, and Travel Resorts of America provide access to networks of member campgrounds.

Depending on the membership level, these programs often include a number of “free” camping nights or extended stays at participating campgrounds. Most also limit the length of individual stays, often around 21 days, which helps keep sites available for traveling members rather than long-term seasonal campers.

Many of these organizations also maintain standards for their affiliated campgrounds, making it easier to find clean, well-maintained places to stay. Some even provide trip-planning assistance and reservation services.

It’s worth noting that some networks have restrictions based on the age, size, or type of RV you’ll be using, so it’s important to understand those requirements before joining.

Why We Chose Not to Join

We looked at several of these membership programs and ultimately decided they weren’t the right fit for us.

Most of them seem to provide the greatest value for full-time RVers or people who spend months at a time traveling.

Since we travel seasonally rather than full-time, we simply couldn’t justify the higher membership costs based on how often we would use the benefits.

That doesn’t mean they’re a bad value. They just weren’t a good value for our style of camping.

Do Your Homework

If you’re considering joining one of these organizations, spend some time researching them before signing up.

Talk with current members.

Read reviews.

Look at the campground locations and ask yourself whether you’ll actually visit enough of them to recover the membership cost.

The major organizations include:

• Good Sam
• Thousand Trails
• Coast to Coast
• Adventure Outdoor Resorts
• Travel Resorts of America

There are many others, but these are among the better-known names in the RV community.

One Thing That Matters to Me

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that I appreciate companies that are transparent about their pricing.

If I have to call and speak with a salesperson just to find out what a membership costs, it doesn’t leave a very good first impression.

I understand that many organizations offer multiple membership levels and optional upgrades, but I’d much rather see the basic pricing posted on their website. Then, if I’m interested, I’ll gladly call to learn more about the different options.

Our Bottom Line

At this point, we’re members of Good Sam, and it’s worked well for the way we travel.

Could we join one of the larger camping networks someday?

Absolutely.

If our travels become more frequent or we decide to spend extended periods on the road, we’ll take another look.

Until then, Good Sam provides the benefits we need, and we’re happy with that choice.