RVillage members discuss their favorite RV clubs, discount camping memberships, and other camping resources.

Looking for ways to save money on camping, have continuity of services, or more easily find places to stay? RVillagers share the pros and cons of the various camping & RV clubs.

Discount camping memberships and RV clubs—what's the difference?

RVillagers talk about discount camping with Passport America:

See replies.

and the Escapees RV club:

View comments.

This discussion includes details about FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) RV club, as well as many other membership clubs that provide discounts on camping. More suggestions here include Good Sam, AARP, KOA, and additional FMCA information.

Thousand Trails camping memberships are popular among RVillagers:

See all the responses.

Many enjoy staying at hosted overnight parking options such as Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome. See "RVillage Groups" below for more information.

This list of camping resources includes all of the above, plus KOA; and the benefits of the America the Beautiful (National Park) pass.

Here's a helpful discussion recommending Elk Lodges and Moose Lodges for RV parking, as well as a few campsite searching tools.

If you are active or retired service personnel, there are Military RV Parks (FamCamps) for you:

View the replies.

Don't forget city, county and state parks—as well as Corps of Engineers (COE) campgrounds, for less expensive stays in more natural and spacious settings.

See all the suggestions for finding those here.

Photo credit: AtomicGecko

National Park Service Access Pass

With the FREE Access Pass, not only do you get free admission to national parks and monuments, but also plus 50% off camping in national parks campgrounds. Veterans with a service-connected disability are eligible for the free Lifetime Access Pass. Get all the details here.

RVillage Groups

Join some RVillage groups to learn more about discount camping memberships, RV clubs, and other camping resources.

Related post: RVillagers share trip planning tips

Helpful trip planning apps

  • Sign up for Togo RV Plus for route-planning, GPS navigation specific to your RV, helpful checklists for campsite setup/departure, and more!
  • Use Roadtrippers for trip planning, and finding interesting & fun attractions along your route.

Other ways to save on camping

Boondocking

Camp for free by "boondocking" (dry-camping without hookups), on public lands in a natural setting, in many places for up to 14 days. Learn more about boondocking. (Note: This is not the same as the "Boondockers Welcome" subscription service mentioned above.)

In addition to free boondocking, during the winter snowbird season, The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offers long-term dry-camping on public land with minimal services such as potable water, dump stations and trash collection, for a period of seven months from September 15 to April 15. The permit is $180 for these Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs). This page has the most organized details on this program. (Information is current despite date on page.) You can stay in one spot for the entire seven months, or move around between the seven very large areas.

Related RVillage groups:

Overnight parking

En-route to a destination and no time to make reservations? Try "black top camping" which is staying overnight in a parking lot (with permission) and not actually "camping." See the RVers Good Neighbor's Policy for etiquette when staying overnight in commercial parking lots such as Wal-Mart, Cracker Barrel, Cabela's, Camping World, casinos, etc.

Some states allow overnight parking in rest areas. Suggested apps for finding free overnight parking.

Related RVillage groups:

Overnight parking at Wal-Mart is affectionately known as "Wally-docking"

Disclaimer: The information gathered here is compiled from the posts and opinions of RVillagers, and not of RVillage itself. RVillage does not endorse any of the clubs listed, and assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions.


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