RV Trip around US - membership recommendations?

[CMcGGray]

We will be retiring soon and are planning a 1 year RV trip around the US - generally spending no more than 2 or 3 nights in any one spot and only 1 night in many. Since we love to hike we expect to stay in state & national parks often but will have to utilize commercial campgrounds as well.


Would it be overkill to join Good Sam, Passport America and KOA to maximize discount campground fees? Are there any other groups we should consider? We will also be getting National Park pass (American the Beautiful-Senior Pass).


Thanks in advance for any & all assistance!

[vsheetz]

PassPort America can readily pay itself back with a couple three days in CG. We use their website when planning travels to maximize usage.

[twogypsies]

I would skip staying at KOAs. They are very expensive and there are plenty of other nice options available. Since you're getting the National Park Senior Pass that will save you a lot of money. They are always our first choices. Passport America can be recouped after a few stays. Good Sam is O.K. for one more additional and would be more reasonable than KOAs. That's all you need. Have a great trip!

[Arch Hoagland]

We have Good Sam and KOA.

I very seldom see a RV Park offering Passport America.

Good Sam and KOA will pay for themselves in a couple stays.

We stay at Elks RV facilities across the country quite often, usually $18 to $20 a night. You must be an Elks member to use their parks...about $100 to $140 a year to join.

[OLYLEN]

If you truly like to hike you will at least in the west find yourself with week(which is much cheaper) to 10 day stays. As to memberships Passpot America as Goodsam plus the Golden Age should do fine. Stop and smells the roses. Now when we stop for a week we Don't set still we sightseeing hike and explore all around where we are.

LEN

[Oregon Duck]

You don't say what size rig you have. We were traveling cross country late Oct. thru Nov. KOA's were the only parks that we always open with large pull thrus.

[Triker56]

I very seldom see a RV Park offering Passport America.

Hummmmm! CA. has 93 Passport America campgrounds.

Even with a KOA 10% discount card the cost $$ most of the time will still be more then any near by campground at regular price.

[Tom3205]

Passport America is a good deal. BUT, there are "restrictions", that sometimes prevent getting the half price discount. Also Passport will place "users' as a second choice, meaning full pay customers come first, & get the better sites.. We use Passport a lot, and have no complaints because we take our "long trips" in Sept/Oct when demand is much lower and restrictions a lot less. 3 nights at half price will pay the "membership" fee. After that it is all to your benefit.
The Golden Age pass is a must, gets you in the parks free, and half price on campsites. Again, a drawback.. some sites can not accommodate "big rigs".

[pagosajoe]

Lots of CGs offer discount for AARP memberships, and, if retired military, that qualifies for some as well.

[Online_17]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

We have Good Sam and KOA.

I very seldom see a RV Park offering Passport America.

Good Sam and KOA will pay for themselves in a couple stays.

We stay at Elks RV facilities across the country quite often, usually $18 to $20 a night. You must be an Elks member to use their parks...about $100 to $140 a year to join.

I'll 2nd this one!

[CMcGGray]

Originally Posted by OLYLEN

If you truly like to hike you will at least in the west find yourself with week(which is much cheaper) to 10 day stays. As to memberships Passpot America as Goodsam plus the Golden Age should do fine. Stop and smells the roses. Now when we stop for a week we Don't set still we sightseeing hike and explore all around where we are.

LEN

We would love to stay somewhere for that long but our trip is limited to 1 year and we are hoping to see as many places in as many states as we can - so this will be a "highlights" sort of trip.

[CMcGGray]

Originally Posted by Oregon Duck

You don't say what size rig you have. We were traveling cross country late Oct. thru Nov. KOA's were the only parks that we always open with large pull thrus.

Still looking but anticipate 30-35 ft motorhome.

[MSHappyCampers]

I use Passport America and Good Sam! Works for me!

[CMcGGray]

Originally Posted by pagosajoe

Lots of CGs offer discount for AARP memberships, and, if retired military, that qualifies for some as well.

Unfortunately don't qualify for either of those.