Thousand Trails, Explained (Plus Our Real-World Take)
If you’ve ever tried to decode Thousand Trails, you know it can feel like alphabet soup—zones, passes, Trails Collection, upgrades. This guide keeps it simple: what Thousand Trails is, how the memberships differ, exactly how to book a site, and what we’ve learned on the road.
What Thousand Trails Is (Quick History)
Launched in the early ’70s as a members-only camping network, Thousand Trails has grown into a nationwide system of RV resorts and campgrounds. Today it’s part of Equity Lifestyle Properties and operates across five U.S. zones.
Where the Parks Are (By Zone)
Northeast – ~14 campgrounds
Southeast – ~23 campgrounds
Northwest – ~18 campgrounds (some in British Columbia)
Southwest – ~19 campgrounds
Midwest – ~8 campgrounds
You’ll find everything from New England forests to Florida beaches, California coastlines, and Pacific Northwest mountain country.
The Building Blocks: Passes, Trails Collection & Upgrades
Think of Thousand Trails in layers:
Camping Pass (Zone Pass): The entry point. Pick your zone(s); book Thousand Trails parks within that zone.
Trails Collection (TC): Add-on that opens 100+ Encore resorts (extra network).
TC rules (from TT’s own overview): 60-day booking window, 14 nights in / 7 nights out, no park-to-park.
Trails Collection Plus (TC+): Enhanced version of TC that’s only included with Adventure.
TC+ rules (from TT’s own overview): 90-day booking window, 21-day stays, park-to-park allowed.
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The Membership Ladder — Explained in Plain English
Below are the five combos people actually compare when shopping.
👉 If you’re just camping on weekends or taking a few trips a year, the Camping Pass (with or without Trails Collection) may be enough. But for anyone living full-time in an RV, the Journey, Explore, or Adventure memberships are highly recommended. These tiers unlock park-to-park access, longer stays, and earlier reservations—solutions that make full-time travel far more manageable.
A. Camping Pass (only)
Network access: Thousand Trails parks in your chosen zone(s)
Reservations: 60-day window
Stay rule at TT parks: Up to 14 nights, then 7 nights out before re-entering the system
Trails Collection: Optional add-on (see “B”)
Our take: Great for occasional or regional travel. If you’ll move around more, TC is the power-up you’ll want.
B. Camping Pass + Trails Collection
Everything in A, plus 100+ Encore resorts
At TC parks: 60-day window, 14 in / 7 out, no park-to-park (per TT’s own card)
Our take: The value jump most people feel immediately. Doubles your options, especially around popular metros and winter sun.
C. Camping Pass + Journey (Journey includes all zones + TC)
TT parks: All Thousand Trails campgrounds
Reservations at TT parks: 120-day window
Stay rule at TT parks: Up to 21 days, park-to-park (no 7-day out)
Trails Collection: Included (standard TC rules at TC parks)
Extras: Extension weeks, cabin discounts/rebates, family benefits, RPI reciprocal access
Our take: Big quality-of-life upgrade—park-to-park and earlier booking makes routing easier.
D. Camping Pass + Explore (Explore includes all zones + TC)
TT parks: All TT campgrounds
Reservations at TT parks: 150-day window
Stay rule at TT parks: 21 days, park-to-park
Trails Collection: Included (standard TC rules at TC parks)
Extras: Everything in Journey plus longer reservation runway and getaway cabin perks
Our take: Choose Explore if the added reservation window matters—great for planners.
E. Camping Pass + Adventure (Adventure includes all zones + TC+)
TT parks: All TT campgrounds
Reservations at TT parks: 180-day window
Stay rule at TT parks: 21 days, park-to-park
Trails Collection: Trails Collection Plus (Adventure-only)
At TC+ parks: 90-day window, 21-day stays, park-to-park
Extras: More extension weeks, more holiday holds, cabin discounts/rebates, family benefits, RPI reciprocal access
Our take: If you travel frequently and want maximum flexibility (especially at Encore resorts), Adventure + TC+ is the smoothest experience.
One-Page Comparison (Core Rules Only)
| Membership | TT Reservation Window | TT Stay Rule | TC / TC Plus Included | TC/TC+ Window | TC/TC+ Stay Rule | TC/TC+ Park-to-Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Pass | 60 days | 14 in / 7 out | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Pass + Trails Collection | 60 days | 14 in / 7 out | Trails Collection | 60 days | 14 in / 7 out | ✗ |
| Pass + Journey | 120 days | 21 days, P-to-P | Trails Collection | 60 days | 14 in / 7 out | ✗ |
| Pass + Explore | 150 days | 21 days, P-to-P | Trails Collection | 60 days | 14 in / 7 out | ✗ |
| Pass + Adventure | 180 days | 21 days, P-to-P | Trails Collection Plus | 90 days | 21 days | ✓ |
*TT = Thousand Trails Campgrounds, TC = Trails Collection Camp Grounds, P-to-P = Park-to-Park (no 7-day out between stays)
How to Book (Step-by-Step That Actually Matches the Site)
Before you start (1-time):
Go to My Profile → Camping Preferences and save rig length/type, guest count, and pets. This pre-fills every reservation.
Each reservation:
Log in to your membership portal.
Choose the state, then select the campground.
Enter arrival and departure dates.
Click to check availability.
Pick a section (often labeled Standard / Deluxe / Premium).
Review hookups and power:
W/E/S = Water / Electric / Sewer
W/E = Water / Electric
30 Amp or 50 Amp indicates the pedestal power available
Confirm guest/pet details (auto-fills if you set preferences) and complete the booking.
Notes that help in real life:
During peak season the site may say to call for availability. We’ve found Chat on the website is faster than calling—you enter a queue and an agent books it with you.
Some parks assign a site at check-in rather than letting you pick online. The reservation guarantees a spot, not always a specific site.
Our On-the-Ground Experience
Where we’ve stayed so far: Thousand Trails Orlando, Three Flags, Hidden Cove, Diamond Caverns, Indian Lakes, Horseshoe Lakes, Wilmington and Encore parks like Pioneer Village and Sherwood Forest, plus Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort.
What we expect: full hookups, on-site laundry, and straightforward access. Level sites are a bonus; if not, we make it work. Most stays have been positive and matched the photos/descriptions.
Hard-earned tips:
Use a smart surge protector with EPO. Low voltage happens; EPO will cut power before electronics get hurt.
Have a generator as backup. Power outages do occur; the peace of mind is worth it.
Arrive before dark when possible, and preview the layout in Google/Apple Maps so you know your route once inside.
About reviews: They’re mixed (as always). We’ve had good visits even where online reviews were rough.
Our Membership Choice (Why We Picked Adventure + TC+)
We travel often and like options. Adventure gives us the longest TT booking window (180 days) and park-to-park stays at TT and TC+ parks. For us, that flexibility shows up daily when planning routes and snagging dates that would otherwise vanish.
Cost-wise, using the system regularly brings our average nightly rate way down versus paying retail at other parks. On trips where Thousand Trails coverage is thin, we budget for independent parks—just know those nightly rates can be much higher around holidays and major metros.
Who Should Choose What? (Fast Decision Guide)
Mostly weekends or regional trips?
Start with Camping Pass (add TC if you want more destination variety).Traveling more often and want easier routing?
Journey (park-to-park + 120-day window) is the sweet spot.You plan ahead and want extra runway?
Explore (150-day window) is built for planners.You want the smoothest experience across TT & Encore?
Adventure with TC+ (park-to-park on both networks) is the most flexible.
Final Word
Thousand Trails isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it is a system you can learn—and once you do, it can save real money and simplify trip planning. Start with the booking steps above, use chat when the website stalls, and choose the membership that matches how often you travel (not how often you wish you traveled).
For us, Thousand Trails has been worth every penny—especially with the Adventure + TC+ membership. The savings, flexibility, and access make it a cornerstone of our RV life.
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