9 Discount Camping Programs

There are numerous RV clubs and discount programs that will help you obtain a reduced camping rate. This article will explore these programs and explain the various features to help you decide which programs best fit your needs. This information is current at the time of publication, and we will continue to update as changes occur.

Passport America

One of the most popular discount programs is Passport America. Passport America offers 50% discounts at over 1700 campgrounds throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The cost of Passport America is less than $50 a year, and if you commit to more than a year, the annual fee is reduced. In just a few nights, you can usually save enough money to make Passport America cost effective. Passport America has its own printed guide, website, and app to help you locate participating campgrounds. Check out their website to locate campgrounds that honor the Passport America discount. Look closely to see if the campgrounds have any restrictions.

Some campgrounds restrict the ability to receive a Passport America discount during peak seasons or certain days during the week. Most of the campgrounds curtail the total number of nights you can apply the discount. There are many campgrounds with no restrictions. Campers and Campfires personally use this program and have received 50% discounted camping for over 100 nights, saving us over two thousand dollars. Passport America also offers additional services such as trip routing.

KOA Discount Program

KOA campgrounds have their own discount program. This program is excellent for campers who frequently lodge at KOAs. There are over 480 KOA campgrounds in North America, so there is a good chance that you will be near one wherever you visit. As a member of the KOA Value Kard Rewards Program, you receive 10% off each night you stay at a KOA campground. In addition to the standard discount, you accumulate points for each night you stay. Once you have accumulated enough points, you can apply them as a credit towards a free night of camping.

KOA also offers a Value Kard appreciation weekend, usually in September. On that weekend, all rewards members can stay Saturday night at a KOA for free if they pay for Friday night. Another perk of the KOA program is that they offer coupons for local businesses throughout the United States. The discounts can be accessed through the KOA app. There are many dining, recreation, and entertainment discounts available through the KOA program.

Good Sam

Good Sam is another popular discount program. All campers can benefit from discounts associated with a Good Sam membership, making it one of the most popular camping memberships available. A Good Sam membership cost less than $30 annually, and there are over 2,400 campgrounds in the Good Sam network. Members receive a 10% discount at participating campgrounds. In addition to camping discounts, members also receive discounts on fuel at Pilot/Flying J stations. The standard discount is 5 cents per gallon for fuel and 8 cents per gallon for diesel. Members can also apply for an RV plus card good at Pilot/Flying J locations. Good Sam also offers a trip routing planner, which estimates time and gas consumption.

Good Sam is affiliated with retail stores including Camping World SuperCenters, Gander Outdoors, and Overton’s. These stores all offer a 10% discount to Good Sam members. Members also receive free shipping from these retailers on orders over $49. By holding a membership, dump stations at Camping World Supercenters are free and members receive discounts on propane.

Thousand Trails

Thousand Trails is a membership program that offers nights of stay at campgrounds at no cost after an annual fee. They divide the United States into five regions: Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, Northwest, and Northeast. You can purchase a membership for one region or multiple regions. One region is generally around $600 per year, but check online before purchasing because Thousand Trails is known to offer promotions. Once you purchase a membership in a region, you are eligible to stay at any of the campgrounds in that region at no charge. More regions can be added for $54 each. The number of available properties vary by location. Members can purchase the Trails Collection for an additional $214. The Trails Collection is affiliated with over 100 resorts across the country. If you purchase the Trails Collection, you can stay in most of these resorts at no charge. Eighteen of these resorts do charge a $20 fee.

There are a few restrictions associated with the Thousand Trails membership. For example, you can stay for up to 14 consecutive nights, but then you must leave for at least seven before returning for another 14 nights. It is best to check the website to determine if you can stay in enough of Thousand Trails properties to make it a good investment.

Escapees

Escapees has their own campgrounds spread across the country in addition to a network of affiliated campgrounds. The affiliated campgrounds generally offer a discount of 15-50 percent off nightly rates. The Escapees offer amenities such as a subscription to Escapees Magazine, a job board to help RVers connect with employment opportunities on the road, and a trip planner. The cost for an Escapees membership is currently $39.95 per year.

Escapees offers opportunities for additional costs. They have numerous educational classes such as the RVers Boot Camp, an Online University and webinars on various topics of interest to campers. Escapees also has a mail forwarding program to ensure that you receive your mail no matter where you travel.

Happy Campers

Happy Campers is a discount program similar to Passport America. The annual cost is $39.95 and campers receive half-price camping at nearly a thousand campgrounds throughout the United States. Like Passport America, many campgrounds have restrictions so be sure to check carefully when planning your trip. At this low price, one or two nights camping at half price covers the cost of your membership. Happy Campers offers an online camping guide and a trip planner.

The last three programs on our list are unique in that they provide campers with non-traditional locations to park their campers and lodge overnight.

Boondockers Welcome

Boondockers Welcome is a program that connects campers with people offering camping on their private land. Do not let the name fool you, many of the locations include electric, water, and possible sewer hook-ups. Hosts can sign up on Boondockers Welcome for free, while the cost for campers is $50 per year. Hosts receive three months of camping each time a guest stays on their property.

The cost to camp overnight is generally free. Some hosts may charge a minimal $3-5 fee if hookups are available to cover the cost of water and electricity. The amenities and camping vary significantly from location to location, and as a member, you can access a directory on their website to ensure you find camping opportunities that fit your needs. For campers, it is a bargain and an excellent opportunity to reduce the costs of camping while connecting with others on the road.

RV Golf Club

RV Golf Club is a unique program that offers no-cost camping after an annual fee of $99. For this price, you can camp overnight at nearly 500 participating golf clubs without charge. Your camper must be self-contained and no tent camping is allowed.

If you are a golfer, this is a great opportunity. A golf course and driving range are typically walking distance from your camper. Some of the most beautiful places in the world are golf courses, and you can enjoy this beauty when camping while only paying the annual fee. Many of the participating golf clubs also have resort hotels so you can enjoy dining and other amenities. The idea behind this program is that you will spend money on the property. This is not a requirement of the program, but many expect that you participate by playing golf or eating dinner at their restaurant. Many of the properties offer discounted rates for golf.

Harvest Host

Harvest Host is a camping program similar to the RV Golf Club except they offer no-cost camping for self-contained campers at a network of wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, and museums. The premise is the same as the RV Golf Club in that these locations allow you to camp free for the night in hopes that you will spend money at their businesses. Harvest Hosts has over 600 locations available in their network, and the cost is $79 per year. For $119 per year, Harvest Hosts offers a membership that includes nearly 400 golf clubs in addition to their main 600 locations.

What is your favorite camping discount program? We would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below.