Membership Camping

[Suudy]

So I heard from my uncle that it was all the rage in the '60s and 70's to buy memberships to campgrounds. These were private RV resorts where you "owned" your site. You could improve the site, camp there year-round, come and go as you pleased, etc.

Well, we have a 5th wheel, and think this sounds like a great option, and are looking to buy a membership. I tried Googling for these, but I'm unable to find anything other that pseudo-memberships. These are memberships that give you access to campgrounds that only other members can access. But they don't have that permanent aspect.

We live in the Seattle area, and have found only 2. Port Susan and Lake Conner. Well, these are too close to Seattle for us. We'd like something either on the Olympic Penninsula, north of Mount Vernon, or in SW Washington (away from the coast).

Does anyone know of any website, registry, or something similar for private membership campgrounds? Or know of any in particular in those parts of WA?

[RickO]

Welcome to the forum Suudy. I'm sure someone will chime in with the info you're requesting. I've come across many different arrangements similar to those you're looking for but am not familiar with any in the PNW.

Two years ago, we spent the winter at what I would think has to be the mother of all ownership RV Resorts in Indio, Ca. Outdoor Resorts/Signature Resorts were selling their sites with listings ranging from $90K to $1M!

You might try the FMCA classifieds on their website.
Good luck.

[wa8yxm]

There are two types of Camp Ground Memberships.. Some few CG's were the "Own your site" type And yes you could put a shed on site and make other improvements. You can park your rig there 365 if you want to

The other kind is a "Time Share" program where you can park for up to 2 or 3 weeks depending on the membership .. Or in some cases lease a site for a longer period

My memberships (Both of them ) are 2 week

So, I pay around 90 bucks a quarter at both parks.. For 180 bucks I get 3 months of parking. that's 90 days for an average cost of 2.00/day Since I full time That's good

In the winter I can't use one of those memberships due to logstics So I got 2 weeks out of 3 for what amounts to 30 bucks a month and the remaining week was about another 90 dollars at a state park 2 miles down the freeway

so that's about 150/month or total or 5 bucks a night, still very low cost campign.

Plus I can (With one membership) come right close to crossing the nation for a dollar a day for 2/3 of my time I only pay for the other 1/3.. and I can do that for as little as 8 bucks a night.

[dsbike]

We rent our site by the month, most CG's have monthly rates considerably less than the nightly or weekly rate. Some also offer yearly rates or seasonal rates that are discounted even more. We usually stay about 3 months due to my wifes job has her traveling around the country. I live in our home in NC & travel just about every other week to be with her. Some of the CG's we have stayed at will allow you to manicure your site within reason & with thier approval. I would imagine the CG's where you are an owner have similiar restrictions. I realize this is not exactly what you are looking for but may be an alternative. It would also allow you to move to another area in the future if you wanted a change.

[bdpreece]

Look on Craig's list in Portland for Lake Merwin Campers Hideaway. It meets your criteria of SW Washington as it is in Amboy WA.

[norty]

They are still out there, you just have to do the research. Some allow you to own the lot and they will rent it for you for a mgt fee when you are not there. It wouldn't be for me but they are available.

[GaryKD]

Hi Suudy,
The OP mentions a membership type setup. Depending on the price difference between the membership and a condo resort, the membership may not be a good deal. A condo resort means each owner owns their lot. It is a tangible asset. A membership is more of a co-op situation. Title to the property is in the association's name, nor the member's name. The rules as to what one can do to their lot are pretty much the same condo or co-op.


Some of these site are a bit confusing. Try these places:
Washington Lot Sales

RV Lots For Sale, RV Resorts Lots For Sale

ANGLERS HIDEAWAY r.v park

Aview Mobile Park, RV, Cabins in Clallam Bay Washington on the Olympic Peninsula

[mkgearhead]

If you want to go north near the Canadian border there's the Glen at Maple Falls. Index My wife's aunt has a lot there and we used to go there alot before we moved to Colorado.

[MaverickBBD]

Take a drive up to Mount Baker. As previously mentioned there is the Glen at Maple Falls. Just down the road is Black Mountain Ranch. Then I think there is another on Silver Lake Road. If you head out of Sedro on Hwy 20 and take the Baker Lake Road there is a big one about half way to the lake.

[Suudy]

Sorry, for taking so long to reply since--you guessed it--I was camping last weekend.

Thanks for the tips. I'll take a look at them.