Passport America, worth it or not?

We took a two week trip in January and more then paid for the yearly fee. We were able to use it in three parks which were all very nice. It saved us a good bit on money in New Orleans as we used it for six nights in a very nice location.

It is worth it if you use it a couple times a year. Just make sure the campgrounds you want to stay at accept it. We've never been to a campground that accepts Passport America, so we aren't members.

-Michael

We purchased a PA membership last Summer because we were looking for a place near Wells ME on our way back from Acadia the week after Columbus day. There is a decent but WAY overpriced camground we had stayed in a few years earlier that would be open after Columbus day and is on the PA list. Including the cost of membership, it made a 3 night stay a reasonable price for the area.

The downside: The PA book says "advanced reservations required". That process was a nightmare. The person at the PA 800 number said there was only 1 site for 1 night available but we knew the campground was normally only half full that week. We booked it and hoped we would be able to add to it when we got to the campground. When we got there the young lady at the registration desk said "no problem", We got 3 nights at the PA rate. :)

guidry wrote:
If you use it more than twice, it pays for itself. I would recommend it if you are retired or travel during the week, that's when most of the discounts are. Weekends typically don't apply. Take a look at their website and map. I would recommend it.

X2 - we certainly got our money out of it just going up the Oregon coast last winter. At one place when we checked in mid week, they said we could stay on that rate since they weren't over half full.

Bill

Ditto on that. The parks are not top end parks but we don't really care since we don't travel to hang around a campground. And they can be thin on the ground near major attractions, don't expect to find one outside Yellowstone or Yosemite for example.

We have Passport America in our arsenal of discount cards, and it more than pays for itself each year. The various park restrictions and locations may not fit your travel "style" though, so make sure you check them for your typical trips before joining. PA parks are typically either in non-destination areas or only discount in the off-season or on off-days, etc., since the purpose for them is to fill otherwise empty sites and make some money rather than none for those sites.

If you use it more than twice, it pays for itself. I would recommend it if you are retired or travel during the week, that's when most of the discounts are. Weekends typically don't apply. Take a look at their website and map. I would recommend it.