New vs Used Thousand Trails Membership: The Honest Cost/Benefit Analysis
I’ve been a Thousand Trails member for over a year now, traveling full-time across the country. Before I bought, I spent weeks trying to figure out whether a used lifetime membership or a new subscription made more financial sense. Nobody had actually run the numbers honestly — so I did.” I also went down a rabbit hole on why Thousand Trails stopped selling lifetimes altogether — turns out it’s an accounting story, and it works out better for the buyer than you’d think.
This is the head-to-head — new against used, the money and the practical differences. If you need the directory of what each legacy tier actually is, that’s Thousand Trails used membership types. If you want the advantages of used spelled out, that’s Why a Used Thousand Trails Membership May Be a Better Option.
Table of Contents
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2026 Update!
Not much has changed in the year since this Post was first released. However, as of March 2026, I did update the downloadable spreadsheet to account for increased subscription cost over time and to update to current pricing as of March 2026 for subscriptions. I also added a formula to allow you to calculate annual subscription price increases. Right now, because we have less than a year of data, we don’t have an accurate read on how much TT will increase the subscription. I leave that number to your discretion. I created a simplified guide which you can read by clicking here: 2026 Thousand Trails Updates and Costs.
The Used market place continues to be robust with plenty of offerings – and I would note that in the last few months (March/April 2026) there seems to be a slight decrease in used pricing as used memberships have broken certain key resistance points (Elites selling for less then $2,000 and Adventure for less then $7,000). I don’t know if this is a new trend or a short term fluctuation given the increase in fuel prices so I have not updated the normal Used Pricing.
Thousand Trails has not made significant changes to the new subscription offerings – except an anticipated price increase!
Below is the current Thousand Trails New Subscription pricing. But note – we can often get you a discount using my referral links as the folks I work with can access exclusive specials, so make sure to check their pricing before making a final decision.
I added also two new web based calculators to make everything easier for those who don’t want to mess around with spreadsheets. Make sure to turn on pop-ups to access them!
My New 2026 Simplified Calculators
Cost Per Night Calculator
New vs.Used calculator
What is Thousand Trails?
Thousand Trails is a membership-based network of RV resorts and campgrounds across the United States. While Thousand Trails memberships are primarily aimed at the RV/Travel Trailer crowd as they are “parks” or “resorts:, they can be useful in Van Life. As I travel the country in my Van and seek out amazing mountain biking destinations, I intend to use Thousand Trails campgrounds as a quick recharge or when I just need a bit of a break. Here’s a quick summary:
- A system of over 190 campgrounds across the U.S., primarily in scenic and rural locations.
- Designed for **RV travelers**, though many locations also offer cabins, tent sites, and other accommodations.
How It Works:
Memberships give access to the campgrounds free or at a significantly reduced rate.
There are various membership tiers which allow such things as longer booking windows, free or discounted cabin stays, and other benefits. However, the most advantageous seems to be the longer booking window. Which is critical for more popular parks – such as those located in Florida during the winter.
Key Features:
- Many parks include amenities like pools, clubhouses, hiking trails, and laundry facilities.
- Time limits on how long you can stay (typically 14–21 days per park depending on your membership).
- Some memberships allow park-to-park stays with no time out in between whereas some older memberships require you to exit the system for a number of days..
Current Thousand Trails Offerings.
Currently, Thousand Trails offers three different subscription levels (not including the Camping pass). Those three levels are: Journey, Explore, and Adventure. Here is a summary of each level.
Journey
- 120-Day Advanced Booking @ all 82-Thousand Trails Campgrounds
- 21-Day Stays / Park-to-Park
- 1-week annually rental cabin voucher
- 2- or 4-Year Term\
Trails Collection Included addon
- 60-Day Booking at Encore Resorts
- 14-Day stays at Encore Resorts
- No park-to-park at Encore
Resort Parks International Preferred Gold addon
- Dozens of Independent campgrounds
- 7-14 Night stays – $10 Per Night
- Discounts on 3,000 Vacation properties Worldwide
Explore
- 150-Day Advanced Booking all 82-Thousand Trails Campgrounds
- 21-Day Stays / Park-to-Park
- 1-week annually rental cabin voucher
- 1-week Getaway Cabin Stays
- 2- or 4-Year Term
Trails Collection Included addon
- 60-Day Booking at Encore Resorts
- 14-Day stays at Encore Resorts
- No park-to-park at Encore
Resort Parks International Resort Connections addon
- Dozens of Independent campgrounds
- 7-14 Night stays – $10 Per Night
- Discounts on 3,000 Vacation properties Worldwide
- Getaway Cabin Trades
Adventure
- 180-Day Advanced Booking @ all 82-Thousand Trails Campgrounds
- 21-Day Stays / Park-to-Park
- 1-week annually rental cabin voucher
- 1-week Getaway Cabin Stays
- 2 or 4 Year Term
Trails Collection Plus Included addon
- 90-Day Booking at Encore Resorts
- 21-Day stays at Encore Resorts
- Park-to-park at Encore
Resort Parks International Resort Connections addon
- Dozens of Independent campgrounds
- 7-14 Night stays – $10 Per Night
- Discounts on 3,000 Vacation properties Worldwide
- Getaway Cabin Trades
- Annual $500 Vacation Credit
Take My membership Level Quiz Here!
I developed a quiz for new memberships to help you decide which membership is right for you! This is a starting point and guide but is very helpful. After getting your results, I recommend you speak to a Thousand Trails Membership Specialist to get the most accurate and up-to-date information.
This membership quiz is geared towards near membership options. However, it will generally serve as a useful reference if you decide a Used Lifetime is right for you! That’s because you can apply some of the same principles. So, if the quiz comes back that a Journey membership might be a good fit for you, check out basic Elite memberships. New Adventure? You can also look at Used Adventure.
My BreakEven Analysis To Help You Decide When to Buy a New Thousand Trails Subscription or Used Lifetime Membership.
I began looking for Thousand Trails memberships a few weeks ago through Facebook Marketplace and a group specifically for buying and selling used memberships. Unfortunately, because TT is so old and has had such a rich history, there are many different types of contracts with different language and different rules that you can buy used.
You will hear words like “Ultimate Odyssey”, “Platinum Elite” and “Alliance” that all describe categories of older memberships that one can still purchase on the used market. I would implore you to consider each of those memberships and find the one right for you. But for now, we will look at the most common:
Basic Elite is roughly equal to Journey, Elite Connections is roughy equal to Explore (although an Explore typically has a 30 day smaller booking Window as MOST, but not all Elite Connections, have a 180 day booking window), and Adventure is roughly equal to Adventure.
When Thousand Trails discontinued selling “lifetime” memberships, some membership holders used this as an attempt to ask for astronomical pricing for their “used” memberships. I decided to test the economics of this pricing and contracted models accordingly.
One outrageous poster even demanded $14,000 for his used “Adventure” membership and has vehemently defended that pricing. His argument is that a 4 year Thousand Trails Subscription is roughly $14,000 so “of course” you want the “lifetime” for $14,000 – its a “no brainer”!
Or is It...
Historical Pricing For Used Memberships.
Historically, used memberships generally sell between the following price points:
- Elite Basic: $2000-$2500
- Elite Connections: $3000-$4500
- Adventure $7000-8500.
However, in light of Thousand Trails discontinuing selling “new” “lifetime” memberships, some members have taken the position that their “lifetime” membership is now worth substantially more. One member asked for a jaw-dropping $14,000 and became downright belligerent when folks suggested that pricing was unreasonable. Below, I did a basic spreadsheet to explore what it would cost to subscribe to Thousand Trails Adventure Package for 4 years vs to purchase a used “lifetime” membership. If you follow my numbers, you will see if that if his pricing is correct, and Thousand Trails charges $14,000 for a four year Adventure membership, you would still not be break-even at sometime between year 7 and 10 years buying his used “lifetime” membership.
The Economics of Lifetime vs. New.
As a former CEO, I have a decent amount of experience analyzing long term liabilities and deciding whether to “buy” or “rent” the car. Below is a very basic spreadsheet to help you decide what’s right for you!
Explanation and Conclusion.
In the above example I compared the cost of purchasing a “used” “lifetime’ adventure membership with the cost of the new subscription membership from Thousand Trails. This pricing may vary so you should consult TT.
Columns TT Dues and Annual Cost of Ownership.
In the first four columns, I consider the true cost of annual ownership of a used lifetime – including appreciation on your money. In a subscription model, you come out a few hundred to a few thousand dollars plus monthly dues. When you purchase a used membership, that initial upfront cost is the cost you agree to pay, plus an additional $750-$950 transfer fee. I chose 7% as the return on investment based on historical returns of my portfolio – which is quite conservative.
Annual Cost of Ownership/Compounding Cost.
The next column shows your annual cost of ownership and how much it adds up over the years. These tell you the true cost of ownership of a TT used “lifetime” membership based on a purchase price, your loss of pulling that investment out to purchase the membership, and dues you will pay.
TT Subscription Cost.
In the final columns, I calculate the annual and total cost of a Thousand Trails Subscription. These are based on an adventure membership and numbers provided on the Thousand Trails Website
However, only a membership specialist can access special discounts – and so these numbers may be high.
But as you can see, if you were to buy a “used” “lifetime” adventure membership at the outrageous price someone recently demanded of $14,000, you don’t actually go cash positive until after your 2nd renewal at year 10 with Thousand Trails. In my world, it makes more sense to lease the car just based on those numbers. But
You Decide.
Run Your Own Numbers.
Regardless, to help you run your own numbers, I am making my google sheet downloadable for you. I encourage you to download the spreadsheet and change the numbers to reflect your situation.
Change how much you are paying, what your typical return on investment is so you can determine the opportunity cost of money for you, and which additions you plan to add to determine your annual dues.
By doing so, you can conduct your own break even analysis and determine whether you should buy the car or rent the car,
Before you go, check out my other observations below on the advantages of the Subscription model and the one big concern I have about a subscription as opposed to a purchase.
Cost Per Night Calculator
New vs.Used calculator
New vs. Used: The Practical Differences (Beyond the Math)
The calculator handles the money. But three practical axes separate new from used, and they matter just as much:
- Cost structure. A new subscription is all-inclusive — one monthly payment covers dues and everything, with a lower price to get in. A used membership is pay-as-you-go: you pay the purchase price, a transfer fee ($750–$950), and usually a year of dues upfront, then annual dues after that.
- Transferability & resale. A subscription isn’t transferable — it’s a fixed 2–4 year term. A used membership’s resale depends entirely on its contract: most are non-transferable after the first resale, some step down a tier each time they change hands, and a rare few transfer indefinitely. Verify the specific contract before you assume you can ever resell it.
- Benefits & timing. A new subscription gives you today’s current benefits and activates immediately. A used membership is locked to the terms written into its original contract — and the transfer itself can take weeks to months to complete before you can even book a site.
So it’s not just the break-even year. Weigh the flexibility, the resale risk, and how long you’ll realistically use it — that’s often what tips the decision.
Some Additional Consideration.
Besides the economics here are a few other things you might want to think about when deciding whether a used lifetime or new subscription is right for you!
1. The False Scarcity Problem.
Many of the folks who are suddenly seeking some insane value to their “Lifetime” membership justify it along the following lines: Thousand Trails discontinued lifetime memberships.
Therefore there will be less supply. Therefore mine is more valuable.
And at first glance, this is an understandable argument. But it fails for several reasons.
1. There are over 113,000 outstanding memberships for just over 63,000 total campsites (a portion of these are “retail” and not available to members). That number comes directly from Equity Lifestyles 10-K. So unless they are committing fraud – it’s a real number. That alone tells you – there is no scarcity problem. There are plenty of lifetime memberships available. Just beacuase Toyota stops making the 20020 Tacoma doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of Tacomas available for the foreseeable future…
2. Thousand Trails didn’t actually stop selling the “Adventure” membership – they just changed how they did it and did it in a way more favorable to the consumer. Let’s do an analogy. Let’s say you buy an electric car. You sure are proud of that new $60,000 Stellantis. And let’s say tomorrow, the government decides “we want people to drive electric cars. But we don’t want to give them to people. Instead, we will lease them for 4 years at a dollar a month. And we will produce 100,000,000 cars per month is that in four months every American as an electric car for $48 for 4 years.” Would someone still be willing to pay you $60,000 for your Stellantis? I doubt it.
It’s not that Thousand Trails stopped selling the “Adventure” membership. It’s that they changed the form.
2. By Removing a Barrier to Entry and Creating Unlimited Memberships, Thousand Trails DeValued Existing “Lifetime” Memberships.
To Further elaborate on that point. Prior to the new subscription model, someone wanting to buy had to put down thousands of dollars on either a new membership or existing. Or they had to sign a long term contract – that required huge payments. Now. Someone can get a Thousand Trails membership for less than a thousand dollars down and a few hundred dollars a month. By removing a major barrier to entry, more people can use the system. More people means less spots available when there are a fixed number of spots. Therefore, the value of all memberships went down, not up. [/caption]
And Thousand Trails can sell as many memberships as they please at whatever price they please. So again, discontinuing “lifetime” (for now) has little effect.
3. If you Buy a used membership you Bear the Risk of Loss.
I used to be a lawyer. And a large part of the legal profession is trying to allocate the risk of loss, and then a loss when it occurs. Here is just a short list of the Risks you assume when you buy a Thousand Trails membership as opposed to sign up for a new subscription:
1. That you will be able to and want to continue to use the membership for longer than 4 years. Things happen. Health happens. Family situations happen. We get older. We get tired. We get bored. If you buy a membership that you have sunk thousands of dollars into – many used memberships can’t be resold. And those that resale often downgrade. You may not be able to resale it at all and you’ll be stuck paying dues or canceling and paying out our contract.
2. Thousand Trails has a Change of Business. While I have no evidence to suggest its a concern at the time of writing, you bear the risk if Thousand Trails goes bankrupt, or severely limits the number of campgrounds or sites, or any of a myriad of possible things happen that adversely effects Thousand Trails. With a subscription, i you aren’t happy you simply walk away. If you bought a “lifetime” you are out that money. I can tell you as a lawyer, Thousand Trails doesn’t view your “lifetime” membership as a liability to them – they view it as an asset – entitling you to pay dues and not much more.
3. Thousand Trails can devalue a “Lifetime” membership at a blink of an Eye. Thousand Trails can offer new lifetime memberships tomorrow at any price it chooses. It can charge $1.00 for a “lifetime” adventure membership to generate more dues paying customers. It can create a newer, longer booking window that allows you to book a decade in advance. It can reduce the number of campsites or stop doing maintenance on parks. Basically, it can do anything it wants. And legally, there is nothing that can be done.
4. “Owning” a Thousand Trails “Lifetime” Membership Is Not like Owning a House. Legally It is Very Different.
One analogy folks keep using is that owning a thousand trails membership is like owning a house vs renting a house. This is a horrible analogy. First, property ownership confers actual legal rights that come about because you are in “privity of estate” as opposed to “privity of contract”. They literally have little in common.
Second, you don’t own property or even a time share by owning a “Lifetime” membership. You own a contractual right. That right is to pay dues and use the campgrounds and spaces Thousand Trails dictates. That’s it. That’s all your buying. What do you actually own?
One Major Drawback of Subscription.
The most obvious problem is a subscription is that y0ur dues can go up after the expiration of your initial contract. They could also go down if Thousand Trails wants to incentivize you to stay.. Whereas the dues in most “lifetime” memberships are capped at how much they can increase each year, no such protection exists.
Why People Buy Used
There are some noteable advantages of owning a used Thousand Trails lifetime membership. If you know you are likely to continue utilizing your membership past the initial 2 or 4 year period – a used lifetime priced well might be the way to go.
The two biggest advantages of a used Thousand Trails Lifetime Membership that I see are:
1. With a lifetime membership, you have the ability to opt in/out of certain additions like Trails Collection and RPI. Collectively this could save you $650 a year or more and depending on where you plan to travel – that might be the best course for you. Don’t need Florida or Arizona? You may not want to pay $450 for Trails Collection.
2. The used memberships have dues increases that are tied to the CPI. This means you have some certainty in the relative rate at which your annual cost will increase whereas with a subscription – your dues may go up dramatically (or they may go down – unlikely – but possible on renewal). One important caveat, because folks over-emphasize this: that cap applies to your Thousand Trails dues only — not Trails Collection, not Trails Collection Plus, and not RPI. So when someone tells you “lifetime dues are capped,” that is a partially true statement, and you should hear it that way.
In essence, the longer you intend to use a Thousand Trails membership – the more a used lifetime makes sense.
Those are the two that move the math the most, but they are not the whole list — there are membership types you simply can’t buy new, market-set pricing instead of a sales office, and the fact that a used membership is the only one you can ever resell to recover part of your money. These are the highlights. For all of them — and for when new is still the right call — read Why a Used Thousand Trails Membership May Be a Better Option.
See What's Actually on the Used Market — Free
The easy button: If the used column is winning your math, the next step is seeing what’s really out there. The Thousand Trails Exchange is the free, independent listing board we run here at Live Free RV. Click the board below to browse the current listings.
What it means: Free to browse, no pressure — and if nothing fits today, set a free buyer alert and get an email the moment a matching membership hits the board.
Thousand Trails & Van Life.
Thousand Trails can be a great compliment to Van Life. I know many Van Lifers want to exist off the grid and out of established campgrounds, but we still need places to go to deal with tanks and other logistical issues. For a complete guide as to the pros and cons of a Thousand Trails membership for van life, click here.
Cost Per Night Calculator
New vs.Used calculator
Thinking of Joining? Explore Your Options.
Whether you decide on a new or used membership really comes down to how long you will use your membership, how you will use the membership, where you will travel, and whether you value some of the “extra” benefits available in a new membership. Furthermore, pricing changes frequently as Thousand Trails runs specials. Interested in Thousand Trails or thinking of joining? Check out the options below. Whether you buy new or used, LiveFreeRV is there for you and to help you!
So Ty - Which Thousand Trails Membership Is Right for Me?
You may think from reading this post that I’m advocating for you to buy a subscription as opposed to acquiring a used “lifetime’ membership. I’m actually not. I’m advocating for you to run the numbers for yourself.
Then decide what works for you based on your personal situation with actual knowledge and not based upon a fear of missing out or fake scarcity.
For example. I’m horrible at saving money. Terrible. So sometimes it is better for me to pay cash just to get the money into a better asset so I don’t buy silly stuff. Or to fix my cost. Those are advantages of a “lifetime” membership.
It also turns on how much you will use it. How long, How much you pay for the used “lifetime”. If your break even is 4 years or 5 years and you know you will be RVing for longer than that because you just love being in your RV – then buy all means – by a lifetime. But negotiate fairly. And don’t let someone convince you that just because Thousand Trails stopped offering Lifetime memberships means Thousand Trails won’t start selling them again tomorrow or that they suddenly became scarce or that “owning” is better than “renting”. Because owning isn’t always better than renting. And as a lawyer, I don’t think that “owning” a Thousand Trails membership actually confers many legal rights that are typically associated with “ownership”.
If I can help you in any way – feel free to reach out via my contact form. I truly wish you the best and I hope to meet you on the Road!
Go Well. Travel Well. Live Well.
~ Ty and Odie.
Other Thousand Trails Introductory Posts!
Blogging about Thousand Trails and helping people get the right membership has become a passion of mine! Here are some of the other articles I’ve written to help you get the right membership for you!!! And – Be Sure to Check Out my two main Thousand Trails Pages
Chasing great mountain biking, camping smart, and living full-time in an RV. Hard-won wisdom. Zero fluff. Live Free. Adventure Often
Quick Links.
Every Thousand Trails option in one place — a specialist for new, the Exchange for used, and me for straight answers.
Sell a Membership — Free → Browse Used Memberships → 🔔 Set a free buyer alert Not Sure? Start Here → Book a Call with Ty — → Buying new? Talk to a TT specialistLike what you’re reading? Help Support the Content!
Writing this articles took several days! Most of what you read here is unpaid and experience-based. If it helped, you can support my work by clicking here or on the image below to Buy Me a delicious cup of Coffee!! Any support (including a buck or two) is sincerely appreciated and helps me continue to publish useful content in the Thousand Trails space!!! Please consider a small donation!
Watch My Thousand Trails Membership Guides
Don’t want to read a super long article? I’ve prepared a video series on my YouTube Channel Shifting Live Free RV that introduce you to Thousand Trails, help you decide if it is right for you, introduce you to the membership options, and help you decide which membership is right for you!
These four videos cover the biggest questions people have about Thousand Trails memberships! Watch them now to save countless hours of research and potentially thousands of dollars!
📍🚐 Video 1: Why Thousand Trails Is a Great Fit For RV/ Van Life!
Video 2: How to Buy a Thousand Trails Membership.
Video 3: The Different Thousand Trails Membership Options..
Video 4: New vs Used Thousand Trails Membership Options..
Video 5: Should I Buy a Journey, Explore, or Adventure???
Video 6: How To Maximize the Benefits of Your Membership!
Video 7: Who Should Not Buy a Thousand Trails Membership
Thousand Trails Blog Posts
Thousand Trails Journey vs. Explore vs. Adventure: Which Membership Option Is Right for You?
Journey? Explore? Adventure? A full-timer breaks down the real differences — booking windows, park access, and which tier is actually worth your money.
The 8 Things You Must Consider Before Buying Any Thousand Trails Membership
The membership specialists can only help so much. Ultimately you have to know yourself. Here are the 8 questions to answer before you buy.
Who Shouldn’t Buy a Thousand Trails Membership (Seriously)
I love my Thousand Trails membership. But I value you more than Ivalue my referral commission. Here’s who should absolutely not buy one.
Thousand Trails: Your Ultimate Guide to Van Life Adventures and Affordable Stays
I didn’t buy a Thousand Trails membership to go to campgrounds. I bought it so I could go everywhere else. Here’s how it works for van life.
Thousand Trails Used Membership Types (Legacy & Resale Guide)
There are an estimated 3,000 different Thousand Trails contracts floating around on the used market. Here’s how to tell them apart — and how not to get burned.
The Confusing World of Thousand Trails: A Flow Chart for Your RV Membership Journey
Don’t know where to start with Thousand Trails? Here’s the step-by-step buying guide so you don’t waste time or money.
A Little Bit About Me.
I started writing this blog as a way to capture the adventurous and free lifestyle I’m privileged to live. I’ve traveled to over 28 countries and 35 U.S States. I’ve lived aboard in multiple countries and averaged over 100 days a year of travel for work. I’ve skied and hiked all over the world – and my new obsession is mountain biking.
What I bring to you isn’t AI generated. It’s based on my feet on the ground – or sometimes conversations with locals. Click here to read more about me!
And click below to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to follow the Adventure live! Join us, won’t you?
Browse memberships for sale on the Exchange — free, no brokers, every listing personally reviewed — or set a free alert and get an email the moment one matching your specs hits the board.
Not sure a Thousand Trails membership is right for you at all — or which type to buy? Book a 50-minute call with Ty — a fellow camper you can trust to tell you what’s best for YOU.
