When camping become a little more than just an occasion outing,  I decided to attend a membership seminar for Thousand Trails during a stay at an Encore resort.  Enthusiastically, I  purchased a Camping Pass with the Trails Collection,  more on those later.

Chances are you have met other Thousand Trails members or maybe ever considering joining yourself. If you’ve ever wondered why thousands of others have joined with the promise of cheap RV camping and easy full-time RV life,  this guide is for you!

Since 1969, Thousand Trails has welcomed generations of families at campgrounds across the country. Thousand Trails is the largest networks of RV resorts and campgrounds in North America, with over 81 locations in 22 states and British Columbia. They combine the beauty and relaxing atmosphere of a scenic nature preserve with the resort-style amenities and fun events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. The resorts and campgrounds are enjoyed by members and non-members alike.

Thousand Trails Campgrounds are located in the country’s most desirable resort and vacation destinations. You’ll get to enjoy sunny Florida destinations like Orlando, the serenity of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the beauty of the Eastern Seaboard, Arizona’s Red Rock Mountains, the best fishing lakes in Texas and the Pacific Coast from California to Washington! Thousand Trails  offers a lifestyle of leisure and vacation activities, from quiet picturesque beauty to fun themed weekends.

There are many options and considerations when looking into a Thousand Trails membership. This guide should help answer many of these questions.

Here, You are Family

Campers and RVr’s are a special breed in general. Thousand Trailer’s take that camaraderie to a different level. There are very active social media venues where members share tips and tricks, voice frustrations and generally support each other.  Questions posted to this group are generally thoughtfully answered very quickly.

While each Thousand Trails park is different, they almost always offer electric, water, and sewer hookup for members, as well as a number of specific sites for the general public. Some campgrounds also offer WIFI service that may be on a pay-per-use or free. Some sites charge a small fee for 50 amp service.

Sites range from your standard tent sites, to a wide range of different sized RV spaces that can be fully paved, gravel, grass or a mixture. Many properties also have rental units like yurts, cottages, and basic cabins that members have access to, usually at a discount.

Typically, there are both adult and family campground amenities like clubhouses, pools, and other on-site recreation activities.

But they also have general amenities that include things like basketball, pickle-ball, tennis courts, restrooms, hot showers, laundry rooms, campground stores, libraries, movie rooms and much more.  Properties, sometime referred to as preserves, are behind a gated front entrance which is manned by a Thousand Trails park ranger.

Which Thousand Trails Plan and Options are right for you?

One restriction to note is a 60-day booking window, reservations will have to be made within this window. This may limit availability, especially during peak times.

There are 5 camping zones: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and North West.

These zones ultimately decide where you are able to camp during the year. If you elect to travel across multiple zones, a zone can be added for an additional  $70 per year per zone.

Thousand Trails – Zones

There are 5 camping zones: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and North West.  Each having between 13 and 23 individual RV parks & campgrounds included. See campground list per zone below.

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The Trails Collection – aka Encore Parks

When you add The Trails Collection add-on to your existing Thousand Trails membership, you’ll discover additional locations. 100+  Encore RV Resorts and campgrounds, with properties in prime destinations.  Current price is only $330.