Thousand Trails Membership Levels & Costs Explained in 2025

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Thousand Trails is an RV campground membership that allows members to camp for free at their locations all over the United States. They have several membership options with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, and it can be difficult to know which is right for you.

In this article, we clearly break down the Thousand Trails Membership Levels by benefits and costs. We also detail all of the potential add-ons and ways to purchase. Start reading now to select the perfect Thousand Trails RV membership for your family.

ALERT: If you want the best price on a Thousand Trails membership, you must buy through a member specialist! Click here to contact member specialists Sharon and Warren for more information and pricing.

This article is updated regularly, so reported Thousand Trails membership levels and prices are current and accurate.

Thousand Trails Membership Overview

Thousand Trails has 82 membership campgrounds across the country. All Thousand Trails membership levels offer RV camping with no nightly fee.

Membership levels differ based on maximum stay length, length of booking window, benefits at partner campgrounds, and additional perks, such as free cabin rentals. Below we detail the benefits and cost of each Thousand Trail membership level.

Zone Camping Passes

The zone camping pass is the entry-level Thousand Trails membership level. It is the base membership that all upgrades are based on, and the most affordable membership. However, it also has the most restrictions.

Zone camping passes include free camping in a specific region of the country. The regions (or zones) are Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Midwest. The number of campgrounds varies by region with 8 in the Midwest, 14 in the Northeast, 18 in the Northwest, 19 in the Southwest, and 23 in the Southeast.

Zone camping passes are the best option for weekend warrior RVers looking for a great deal on short-term RV camping trips. This basic Thousand Trails membership is also a good option for full-time RVers who want to try Thousand Trails before committing to a more expensive elite membership.

Price: $755 annual fee for one zone; $125 for each additional zone

Pricing Note: For the Zone Camping passes and all of the upgraded memberships detailed below, there are often significant discounts available on the retail prices listed in this article.

Simply fill out this form to request more information and current discounts from membership specialists Sharon and Warren Lewis. Or call them (804-366-0798) and tell them Christina from Travels with Ted sent you.

Zone Camping Pass Benefits and Rules:

• Unlimited stays at Thousand Trails campgrounds in your zone(s) with no nightly fees
• Stay up to 14 nights during each stay
• If the stay is longer than four days, members must have seven days out of the Thousand Trails system before their next stay
• Only includes camping within the zones purchased
• Book reservations 60 days in advance
• Discounts at Encore RV Resorts and other partner campgrounds
• Special pricing on service through their preferred dealer network
• Member savings on popular brands, including Harvest Hosts, Hertz, and DISH
• High use restrictions apply to 15 of the 82 parks during their peak season (for example: Florida parks in the winter); Only two Thousand Trails reservations are allowed on the books during high use parks’ peak season

Trails Collection Add-On

The Trails Collection is a popular add-on to any Thousand Trails membership level. Members who purchase the trails collection receive access to camping at 100+ additional campgrounds, including Encore RV resorts across the country.

The majority of Trails Collection RV parks offer free camping, but a few parks in prime destinations charge members up to $20 per night. Younger members should also note that some age-restricted Encore resorts in popular winter destinations (Florida, Texas, and Arizona) only allow campers 55 years of age or older.

Regardless of the caveats, the Trails Collection is a great value for the money. This Thousand Trails membership add-on provides access to over double the number of campgrounds for a low cost.

The below Trails Collection benefits are available as an add-on to the Zone Camping Pass. Trails Collection benefits are included with all other membership levels.

Price: $450 per year as a Camping Pass Add-On; Included with Upgraded Memberships

Trails Collection Benefits and Rules:

• Free or highly discounted camping at 100+ Encore RV Resorts
• Stay up to 14 nights during each stay
• Must be out of Trails Collection for parks 7 days between stays
• Book reservations 60 days in advance

Journey Thousand Trails Membership Level

The Thousand Trails Journey plan is the first of three enhanced membership options. Journey is also Thousand Trails’ most affordable upgraded membership.

The Thousand Trails Journey membership can be purchased as either a 2-year membership or a 4-year membership.

Price: $4000 for a 2-year membership (or $500 down and $146 per month); $7200 for a 4-year membership (or $700 down and $136 per month)

Journey Benefits and Rules:

• All benefits included with the zone pass
• Stay up to 21 nights at each campground
• Can move from campground to campground with no time out of the system
• Access to all Thousand Trails campgrounds nationwide
• Book reservations 120 days in advance
• Trails Collection included
• RPI Preferred Gold membership included
• Option to buy two extension weeks for $29 each at Thousand Trails parks
• Rebate for a free one-week standard cabin rental each year
• 25% to 50% off cabin rentals
• Camping discounts for family members
• Book one holiday at a time (i.e. cabin and camping reservations cannot overlap)
• High-use restrictions apply to 15 of the 82 parks during their peak season (for example: Florida parks in the winter); Only two Thousand Trails reservations are allowed on the books during high-use parks’ peak season

Explore Thousand Trails Membership Level

The Explore membership is the next enhanced Thousand Trails membership level. It is similar to the Journey membership but offers a longer booking window

Price: $6000 for a 2-year membership (or $700 down and $220 per month); $10,800 for a 4-year membership (or $1100 down and $202 per month)

Explore Connections Benefits and Rules:

• All benefits included with the zone pass
• Stay up to 21 nights at each campground
• Can move from campground to campground with no time out of the system
• Access to all Thousand Trails campgrounds nationwide
• Book reservations 150 days in advance
• Trails Collection included
• RPI Preferred Gold membership included
• Option to buy two extension weeks for $29 each at Thousand Trails parks
• Rebate for a free one-week standard cabin rental each year
• Rebate for a free one-week Getaway cabin stay each year
• 25% to 50% off cabin rentals
• Camping discounts for family members
• Book one holiday at a time (i.e. cabin and camping reservations cannot overlap)
• High-use restrictions apply to 15 of the 82 parks during their peak season (for example: Florida parks in the winter); Only two Thousand Trails reservations are allowed on the books during high-use parks’ peak season

Adventure Thousand Trails Membership Level

Adventure is Thousand Trails’ premium membership level. The membership costs the most of any Thousand Trails membership, but has significantly more perks. Like other upgraded memberships, the Adventure can be purchased for a 2-year or 4-year term.

The biggest advantage of the Adventure membership over Journey and Explore memberships is the included Trails Collection Plus, which offers extended stays and a longer booking window at Trails Collection campgrounds.

This upgraded Trails Plus benefit is only available as part of the Adventure membership and cannot be purchased separately.

Price: $8000 for a 2-year membership (or $900 down and $295 per month); $14,400 for a 4-year membership (or $1500 down and $269 per month)

Adventure Membership Benefits and Rules:

• All benefits included with the zone pass
• Stay up to 21 nights at Thousand Trails and Trails Collection campgrounds
• Can move from campground to campground with no time out of the system
• Access to all Thousand Trails and Trails Collection campgrounds nationwide
• Book Thousand Trails reservations 180 days in advance
• Book Trails Collection reservations 90 days in advance
• Option to buy four extension weeks during non-high use periods for $29 each at Thousand Trails parks
• Option to buy two extension weeks during high-use periods for $99 each at Thousand Trails parks
• Book two holidays at a time
• RPI Preferred Gold membership included
• Rebate for a free one-week standard cabin rental each year
• Rebate for a free one-week Getaway cabin stay each year
• High-use restrictions apply to 15 of the 82 parks during their peak season (for example: Florida parks in the winter); Only two Thousand Trails reservations are allowed on the books during high-use parks’ peak season

Cabin Pass Thousand Trails Membership

In addition to the RV camping memberships, Thousand Trails also offers a separate Cabin Pass membership. This membership offers free stays at Thousand Trails cabins, yurts, cottages, and tiny houses.

The Thousand Trails Cabin Pass provides free stays at 70 Thousand Trails resorts. While the Trails Collection Reciprocal Cabin Pass provides free stays at more than 50 additional resorts. Currently, one year of the Trails Collection pass is included with any Cabin Pass membership.

Price: Annual dues of $1,750

Cabin Pass Membership Benefits and Rules:

• Unlimited stays in rental units at Thousand Trails campgrounds and resorts
• Stay up to 7 nights during each stay
• Must have a 14-day wait period between rental unit reservations
• Book reservations 60 days in advance
• Receive 20% off RV campsites

Lifetime Thousand Trails Memberships

Thousand Trails often updates its membership options and eliminates membership levels.

As of 2025, Thousand Trails stopped offering lifetime memberships. Escape, Elite Basic, Elite Connections, lifetime Adventure, Alliance, Gold, Platinum, Ultimate Odyssey, and VIP Thousand Trails membership levels are retired and no longer available to buy new.

Buying a New Thousand Trails Membership

Buying a new membership is the easiest and safest way to become a Thousand Trails member.

For the latest membership information current prices and a special offer contact membership specialists, Sharon and Warren Lewis. Membership specialists have access to all current sales and deals, so you are guaranteed to get the best rate available.

Membership Specialists: Sharon and Warren Lewis

Fill Out This Simple Form for More Information

Email: Warren_Lewis@equitylifestyle.com

Phone: 804-366-0798

Referral: Christina from Travels with Ted

Buying a Used Thousand Trails Membership

It is also possible to buy used memberships as many upgraded memberships were sold with re-sale rights. When RVers sell their camper and quit RVing, they can sell their membership.

Obtaining a Thousand Trails membership for a lower cost is the main advantage of purchasing a used membership. However, there are several downsides to consider when purchasing a used membership.

The most important consideration when buying a used membership is understanding exactly what you are buying. Over the years, there have been many different Thousand Trails membership levels and many of the used memberships available are no longer sold by Thousand Trails.

Common retired membership levels available second-hand include Gold, Platinum, Ultimate Odyssey, and VIP. Each of these memberships has unique rules and benefits. Request documentation from the seller on exactly what their contract does and does not include.

The other point to keep in mind when buying a used membership is future re-sale. Most Thousand Trails contracts state that the membership can only be transferred once. By buying a used membership, you lose the possibility of getting any of your money back if you stop using the membership down the line.

If you decide a used membership is right for you, it can be purchased from online brokers, such as Campground Membership Outlet. While the brokers do not directly charge the buyer or seller a fee, Thousand Trails does have a mandatory transfer fee (typically $750 to $1000) on all re-sale memberships.

Potential Savings with Thousand Trails

The main benefit of a Thousand Trails membership is saving money on campground fees. Most resort-style parks that offer amenities similar to Thousand Trails parks charge at least $50 a night (and some charge $100 or more).

Assuming you typically pay $50 per night, a zone camping pass at full price (and you are not going to pay full price if you contact our membership specialists), would pay for itself after just 15 nights of camping.

We purchased an Elite Basic membership in early 2020, and we have saved over $7500 by staying at Thousand Trails parks instead of private campgrounds. See our complete savings breakdown, in our article, Is Thousand Trails Worth It?

One of our biggest savings is on the North Carolina coast where my family lives. The typical campsite rate in the area is over $100 per night. We stay at one of two Trails Collection parks in the area and pay $0 for each stay!

Our membership paid for itself within two years!

Thousand Trails Booking Date

Once you have a Thousand Trails membership, you will need to keep track of when you can book campgrounds. Booking campsites at the start of your booking window will help you get reservations before RV parks are sold out.

Instead of counting the days on a calendar, use our simple booking date calculator to determine when you can make a reservation.

Thousand Trails FAQ

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We have been Thousand Trails members for several years and Elite members for more than 5 years. As full-time RVers, the only regret we have is not purchasing a membership sooner. So, learn from our mistake and join Thousand Trails to start saving money on camping today!