Passport America Campgrounds

We signed up for PA in April for our four-month trip through the western U.S. and then on to Canada. We like boondocking but wanted it for a backup because of unknown territory.

We used it enough in the U.S. to get our money back. In Canada, the rving season is short and restrictions are high.

I know that if we were fulltiming and not on the move every three or four days as we were, we could get much more out of it. I think it is a good thing and the few parks where we were able to use it, were nice and truly 50% off.

We have been members for over 10 years now. We always save at least $400 per year and one year our savings were just over $900 - certainly a good investment. Before any trip I update my directory for the area we will be travelling in. I also call the c.g. before we arrive to confirm they have a site and that they are still members. If we don't like the looks of a park, we just move on. Most are fine for an overnight and many times if a park is not busy they will overlook any restrictions.

Sfla2 wrote:
have been in some real nice cg, hard to beat $ most are very good , i found out its best to use the ones that have quiet a few sites (avoid 5- 10 sites)

When I used PA there certainly was no indication in the book/site as to how many sites they would rent out at 1/2 price. I think it would vary depending on how many full rent sites had been sold and what it would take to fill up the park. but I guess this is one reason to call and rent early in the day, before they are gone.
bumpy

have been in some real nice cg, hard to beat $ most are very good , i found out its best to use the ones that have quiet a few sites (avoid 5- 10 sites)

wbwood wrote:

twainharteartist wrote:
Anyone have anything to say good ,bad or indifferent about Passport America Campgrounds memberships.

How often do you travel? Check out the campgrounds listed on their site and the restrictions. Will it work for you? If a campground is normally $50 and with a PA membership it will be $25/night, then it will only take a couple nights to make up the cost.

We are going on a trip from California up to Washington state to Kansas them over to Orlando and up to Atlanta will be on the road two to two and a half months.

PPA can be a real mixed bag. Check the ratings on RVPR if in doubt, or just for good measure. Some can be really nice & maybe worth staying extra time at the rack rate. Others you might not want to stay at no matter how cheap the rate. Most are average CGs trying to fill some sites on nights when they would probably be empty.

Would not leave home without my PA membership. Always saved many times the membership fee.

This Harvest Host could be a real selling point for my wife, we did this at a local winery once (helped pick a few grapes for a few hours and got a bottle and wine and cheese after) and to be able to do it at multiple places more distant would be fantastic. Thanks for that idea, I had missed it when I did my survey.

http://harvesthosts.com/Maps.htm

Don't forget about Harvest Hosts as well. Esepcially if you are looking just for an overnighter. No cost to stay at places beyond the membership fee. Although they do ask that you maybe purchase something from the windery or famr to show your appreciation.

The Passport America website updates their directory daily. There is a listing at the side for removed campgrounds and one for new campgrounds(listed by state) If you have facebook and "like" their page, you will see the new campgrounds daily on your newsfeed. I think many people formed an opinion years ago and have not actually tried it recently. There are many many more campgrounds available than there used to be.