Community Forums

Otterpops · 09-09-2019, 10:54 AM

Hi there... newbie here

We are getting ready to take a five month rips around the Country in our 1995 Class C and just bought a two year membership to Thousand Trails and Encore...

I know for locations like Key West or Orlando we should make reservations but am wondering what your opinions are (those who have Thousand Trails) on traveling without reservations for TT Camping?

If possible I would rather play the majority of the trip by ear so that we have flexibility fr the most part... but also do not want to end up getting stranded and searching for camping.

ThomB · 09-09-2019, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otterpops

Hi there... newbie here

We are getting ready to take a five month rips around the Country in our 1995 Class C and just bought a two year membership to Thousand Trails and Encore...

I know for locations like Key West or Orlando we should make reservations but am wondering what your opinions are (those who have Thousand Trails) on traveling without reservations for TT Camping?

If possible I would rather play the majority of the trip by ear so that we have flexibility fr the most part... but also do not want to end up getting stranded and searching for camping.

We make reservations as far out as possible. We can always alter or cancel them if we need to. Sometimes you can have issues getting into a park on short notice.

MSHappyCampers · 09-09-2019, 12:34 PM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

No knowledge of Thousand Trails.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

powerboatr · 09-09-2019, 12:38 PM

you can make them 10 minutes prior to arrival at any park using the 800 number or online.

or make them as far in advance as your plan allows. but bear in mind if you make it today for next month or ten minutes before you arrive, you don't get a particular spot, only a guarantee a spot MAY Be available to use.

one place we go often is medina lake, it has hundred of spots, but only half actually work, so sometimes is a crap shoot if you can find a spot to use that will fit your rv or power requirements

69Stang · 09-09-2019, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerboatr

you can make them 10 minutes prior to arrival at any park using the 800 number or online.

So you have to have reservations? You can't just walk in and get the discount?

I don't have Thousand Trails, but I have thought about a membership.

**hamm2018** · 09-09-2019, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otterpops

Hi there... newbie here

We are getting ready to take a five month rips around the Country in our 1995 Class C and just bought a two year membership to Thousand Trails and Encore...

I know for locations like Key West or Orlando we should make reservations but am wondering what your opinions are (those who have Thousand Trails) on traveling without reservations for TT Camping?

If possible I would rather play the majority of the trip by ear so that we have flexibility fr the most part... but also do not want to end up getting stranded and searching for camping.

Do the reservations. We have had a 1000 trails membership since 2003 and there have been times we could not get a spot because of the park being full. Plus we have friends that live 15 miles from Wilmington park and have trouble getting in. Just because you have a membership does not guarantee you can get a spot.

**hamm2018** · 09-09-2019, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69Stang

So you have to have reservations? You can't just walk in and get the discount?

I don't have Thousand Trails, but I have thought about a membership.

Hardly not anymore. Since they have open it up to the public it is hard to get reservations sometimes.

Reservations (Member):
1-800-388-7788
Reservations (Non-member):
1-877-570-2267

We have friends that live 15 miles from the Wilmington park and they have trouble getting reservations sometimes, they have been members like us, since 2003.

coachmanjay · 09-09-2019, 01:59 PM

we are long time members and times have changed since opening up to non members. Make reservations as far a head as you can, especially in Oregon and Washinngton. Then revise and/or cancel as required. There is no penalty for cancelling the day before. We check the availability of places that were full when we made reservations when on the road to see if we want to change our itinerary. It pays to call the park direct as there could be space that is not shown on the online system. When traveling without reservations, we call in the morning and get a reservation at the park where we want to stay that night

Gary RVRoamer · 09-09-2019, 04:55 PM

Quote:

So you have to have reservations? You can't just walk in and get the discount?

It's not a discount club - your membership gives you x nights of prepaid camping each year.

You can reserve a spot while parked at the front gate but other patrons will hate you for the delay. It's actually easier to call the reservation number 10 minutes ahead of time, which also has the advantage of letting you if know there is a site available.

Many of the parks are very busy and not all sites may be full hook-up or large size or desirable locations. We always found it wise to book at least a few weeks in advance and generally tried to reserve as far ahead as we could determine our plans. Changes can be made as needed.

twogypsies · 09-09-2019, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69Stang

So you have to have reservations? You can't just walk in and get the discount?

I don't have Thousand Trails, but I have thought about a membership.

If you only want a discount then look up Passport America. Staying a couple nights at parks will pay for the reasonable membership. Good Sam Club affiliated parks and KOAs also give a discount. Altogether different from Thousand Trails.

69Stang · 09-10-2019, 04:22 AM

OOPS! I was thinking of Passport America. Makes sense now why you'd want reservations.

Thanks.

Alan_Hepburn · 09-10-2019, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

If you only want a discount then look up Passport America. Staying a couple nights at parks will pay for the reasonable membership.

Passport America: one of the best purchases we've made! We just completed a trip through the western states: 11 states over 35 days - we stayed in 5 different PA parks, and saved $182!

rkresge · 09-10-2019, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otterpops

Hi there... newbie here

If possible I would rather play the majority of the trip by ear so that we have flexibility fr the most part... but also do not want to end up getting stranded and searching for camping.

As members, we always make reservations at TT locations. Most of our stays are at fairly high demand parks, so I try to make reservations just as early as I can within the window allowed by our membership. Especially for holidays and popular dates. Having said that, I just yesterday made a reservation for Sea Pines (NJ shore) for next week.

Good luck!

Roger

KRum · 09-11-2019, 06:42 AM

Don’t most Thousand Trails have a overflow dry camping area?... How does that work?... Can you show up without a reservation and park in the dry camp area for a day or two until a slot opens up?...