Is the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass Worth It?

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A Thousand Trails cabin using a pass

If you’ve been RVing for any time, you’ve probably heard of Thousand Trails.

You might even have a membership.

This broad network of campgrounds has added another membership type to accommodate guests who don’t travel with an RV.

The Thousand Trails Cabin Pass is available for purchase and offers comfortable and unique accommodations like yurts, cabins, and cottages at more than 70 locations across the country.

Let’s learn more about whether you should consider purchasing the Cabin Pass!

About Thousand Trails

Thousand Trails is a camping membership allowing members to access campgrounds nationwide without paying a nightly fee.

People pay for the membership upfront and pay annual dues, but there are no nightly fees when staying at the participating locations.

From Maine and Florida to California, there are over 80 locations in 22 states and British Columbia.

How Does Thousand Trails Work?

Although Thousand Trails is one of the largest networks of RV resorts and campgrounds in North America, it’s not only for members. Anyone can stay at their location. However, non-members will pay a nightly fee. They can visit when there is availability.

However, members have specific rules to follow per their membership guidelines. There are several membership levels, so some members have different benefits. Some can stay only 14 consecutive days, while others can stay up to 21 consecutive days.

Select members can go from park to park without any time out of the Thousand Trails system, while others must leave the system for seven nights.

Some have booking windows of 90 days, while others have booking windows of 180 days. The level of membership will determine how Thousand Trails works for each member.

About the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass

Thousand Trails recently added the Cabin Pass to the membership options.

In late September, Thousand Trails announced this new opportunity for members to stay in rental accommodations across the country for up to seven consecutive nights.

Varying accommodations include cabins, cottages, yurts, and tiny house rentals across more than 70 locations.

Members no longer have to travel in an RV. They can now stay on an on-site property on Thousand Trails campgrounds.

Cabin Accommodations

Cabin Pass members have the option of staying in various accommodations. There are safari tents and yurts, cabins, tiny houses, and vacation cottages.

For example, you can book a stay in a tiny house at Mt. Hood Village RV Resort in Oregon or Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina in the Florida Keys. If you’re looking for larger accommodations, you can reserve a cottage for six at Palm Springs RV Resort.

Unique glamping opportunities are available at Marina Dunes RV Park, and the kids will love staying in a covered wagon or tipi at Rancho Oso RV and Camping Resort.

A Thousand Trails cabin using a pass

Amenities Access

Members with a Thousand Trails Cabin Pass have the same access to on-site amenities as any other Thousand Trails member.

Even Adventure owners who have paid over $16,000 for their membership don’t have unique amenities just for them.

Cabin Pass owners can enjoy fishing in lakes, participating in scavenger hunts, shopping in camp stores, playing rounds of mini-golf, soaking in hot tubs, and much more.

Booking Window

The Thousand Trails Cabin Pass allows guests to book up to 60 days in advance. This is the same booking window that Thousand Trails Camping Pass owners receive for RV sites.

Guests without a Cabin Pass will pay the nightly fee but can make reservations anytime. For the best availability, members must stay on top of their booking window and book when the 60 days arrive on the calendar.

Keep in Mind: Our Thousand Trails membership has saved us Thousand In Camping Fees! Click the link to see how much we’ve saved using our membership.

Maximum Length of Stay 

Members must stay for two to seven consecutive nights. There is a 14-day waiting period before members can enter the same or a different Thousand Trails location.

This waiting period is a week longer than members who have the Camping Pass, which only requires a week out of the Thousand Trails system.

For example, Cabin Pass members could stay for one week in a yurt at Circle M RV and Camping Resort in Pennsylvania, return home for two weeks, and then head out to Appalachian RV Campground to stay in a cabin for another week.

Cost

For $1,495 per year, visitors with a Thousand Trails Cabin Pass will have access to over 70 locations.

In addition, the Trails Collection Reciprocal Program for Cabin Pass members is complimentary for the first year.

This program adds 55 more sites for guests to enjoy. There is a monthly payment option as well.

Remember, there are no nightly fees with this Cabin Pass membership.

A dog sitting in a Thousand Trails cabin using a pass
Source: Thousand Trails

Do You Need a Thousand Trails Membership to Get the Cabin Pass? 

You do not need a Thousand Trails membership to buy the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass.

However, if you already have a membership, you can add the Cabin Pass to your existing membership for even more benefits.

Cabin Pass members also have the same access to the amenities at the Thousand Trails locations as any other type of member. Standard amenities include swimming pools, hot tubs, clubhouses, tennis and pickleball courts, mini golf, dog parks, and on-site events and activities.

How Many Locations Does Thousand Trails Have? 

Thousand Trails has over 80 locations in 23 states and British Columbia, Canada.

The locations are in zones; however, these zones only matter for the Camping Pass owners. When purchasing a Camping Pass, owners only get access to the campgrounds in one particular zone.

They have the option of adding zones to their membership. These zones include the Southeast, the Midwest, the Northeast, the Southwest, and the Northwest.

The Southeast has the most Thousand Trails locations, with 23, while the Midwest has the fewest locations, with only eight.

Multiple Thousand Trails cabins using a pass

What Other Types of Memberships Does Thousand Trails Offer? 

The Camping Pass is most similar to the Cabin Pass. It is the cheapest of all the Thousand Trails memberships at $630 per year, with additional zones at $70 each. The Trails Collection add-on program is another $330 per year you can include with any Thousand Trails membership.

Thousand Trails also offers three membership levels, giving members park-to-park availability without any time out of the system.

The booking windows vary, but in general, members can stay for up to 21 consecutive nights in a campground before leaving for another Thousand Trails location, where they can spend another 21 successive nights.

The Elite Basic, Elite Connections, and Adventure are the three upper-tier levels of memberships.

The Elite Basic costs around $7,995, the Elite Connections costs around $10,345, and the Adventure is the most expensive option at $16,595. Each membership requires yearly dues of $630.

Keep in Mind: Before you bite the bullet and get a Thousand Trails Membership, you need to see the Top 5 Regrets RVers have after Buying A Thousand Trails Membership

A Thousand Trails cabin using a pass

Is the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass Worth It?

If you want to travel the country without an RV, the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass is a great option.

Should you vacation only two nights a month for one weekend, once you break down the $1,495 cost of the membership, you’re only paying $62.30 per night to enjoy the amenities and accommodations at Thousand Trails locations.

If you plan on staying more than two nights a month, the nightly breakdown is even cheaper. One week per month would cost around $17.80 per night. This beats a hotel stay anywhere.

Thousand Trails locations aren’t the most luxurious accommodations, but you’re also not paying an extravagant cost. These family-friendly locations are excellent ways to start making memories and enjoying nature. Is a Thousand Trails Cabin Pass right for you?

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  1. Regarding the Cabin Pass and being out of system in order to go to another park. Assuming one has the Basic Elite Membership (21 days park to park with 120 booking window). Would one be able to get a cabin for a week, go to a different Thousand Trails park for either 14 or 21 days and then go to another (or return to last park) to stay in a cabin for a week?

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