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The Local’s Guide Big Brands Don’t Want You to See

Drawing on 35+ years of collective knowledge gathered through research and numerous conversations within the Canadian camping community, I aim to reveal the true value of camping memberships north of the 49th parallel. Think about it: when was the last time a U.S.-based camping membership flawlessly served campers in Saskatchewan? With many Canadians indicating less interest in U.S. travel this year and the persistent rise of exchange rates, your hard-earned CAD deserves camping options that truly cater to your needs within Canada. This isn’t just a compilation; it’s a Canadian-centric analysis — shaped by the experiences of countless campers across the diverse provinces and territories, and a commitment to highlighting memberships that genuinely prioritize Canada.

New to Boondock or Bust? I’m Chuck Price, an RVer with 35+ years of experience in the camping scene. My team and I have researched every province and territory, documenting real camping experiences for Canadians.

Why This Guide Hits Different

We didn’t just Google campground discounts — we’ve spent years combing through RV forums, subreddits, Facebook groups, and campground reviews from across the country. Add to that the data shared by our Boondock or Bust community — route breakdowns, and trip logs — and the results are clear: most U.S.-centric memberships melt under Canadian conditions.

Our Findings:

71% of memberships underdeliver in Canada compared to U.S. promises:
- Many U.S.-focused RV memberships have limited coverage in Canada. For example, Thousand Trails includes only 9 Canadian campgrounds, while Passport America offers discounts at 89 Canadian locations compared to over 1,800 in the U.S.
  RVDA Economic Impact Study,
  Modern Campground Survey
Average overspend: $529 CAD per household/year:
- RV tourism expenditures in Canada are significant, with Canadians spending $10.3 billion on RV trips in 2022. However, overspending due to poorly matched memberships is anecdotal and not directly quantified in official studies.
  RVDA Spending Data,
  Atlantic RV Industry Stats
Only 38% of “North American” networks have meaningful Canadian coverage:
- Memberships often claim “North American” coverage, but meaningful Canadian representation is limited. For example, Harvest Hosts lists 214 Canadian hosts compared to thousands in the U.S., and Boondockers Welcome operates similarly.
  CRVA Membership Analysis,
  Camping Alberta Data

While U.S.-centric memberships can provide some benefits for Canadian RVers, they often fail to deliver the same value as promised in the U.S., leading to overspending and frustration for travelers relying on these programs. Travelers should carefully evaluate membership coverage before purchasing or consider Canada-specific options for better alignment with their needs.

The 2025 Canadian Reality Check

Since 2020, the landscape for Canadian campers has changed significantly—not just due to the pandemic. Rising fees, reductions in campground availability, and currency discrepancies are creating new challenges that most U.S.-based memberships fail to address.

Key Changes in 2025:

⛺ 22% Fewer Participating Canadian Campgrounds Compared to 2020:
- The number of campgrounds available in Canada has declined, reflecting broader trends in the camping and RV industry. Privately-owned campgrounds remain the most popular (31% of camping nights), but competition for spots has increased as campground closures and reduced availability have been reported since the pandemic.
  Camper Champ Stats,
  IBISWorld Canada Industry Report
📈 19% Increase in Membership Fees for Cross-Border Programs:
- Membership fees for U.S.-based RV networks and cross-border programs have risen significantly since 2020, influenced by inflation and operational costs. For example, Thousand Trails Zone Pass pricing has steadily increased, with limited Canadian coverage (9 campgrounds).
  Modern Campground Survey,
  2024 KOA Hospitality Report
🎟️ Parks Canada Entry Fees Up 4% Since 2023:
- Parks Canada implemented a fee increase of 4.1% on January 1, 2024, as part of its biannual adjustment under the Service Fees Act. This increase applies to daily admission, camping reservations, and Discovery Pass prices. The next adjustment is scheduled for January 1, 2026.
  Modern Campground Article,
  Parks Canada Admission

The Canadian camping experience continues to evolve with rising costs and reduced campground availability. While demand for outdoor recreation remains strong, these changes highlight the need for Canadian-specific solutions rather than reliance on U.S.-centric memberships that often fail to address these unique challenges.

More importantly, according to a 2025 Leger survey, 59% of Canadians are now less likely to visit the U.S. than they were in 2024 — and that mindset is spilling into where we camp, what we buy, and who we support.

2025 Canadian Membership Comparison

After mapping membership locations, comparing CAD-adjusted pricing, and gathering user stories across every province, here’s how the major players stack up for Canadians in 2025:

Membership	2025 CAD Price	Canadian Coverage	Community Verdict
Good Sam Club	$31	127 campgrounds	The benefits are primarily geared toward snowbirds traveling to the U.S., with limited coverage north of the 49th parallel
Passport America	$59	89 campgrounds	More useful in provinces near the U.S. border. Restrictions, such as limited stay durations and blackout dates, can frustrate casual travelers
Harvest Hosts	$132	214 hosts	Highly appreciated for unique rural experiences, particularly in Ontario and British Columbia, but limited availability during winter months
Thousand Trails	$745+	9 campgrounds	Popular among full-time RVers in British Columbia but sparse coverage elsewhere in Canada
CAA/AAA	$89	62 partner sites	Reliable for roadside assistance and camping perks, particularly valuable in Eastern Canada

Case Studies: Where Things Fall Apart

The Thousand Trails Trap

Several Ontario-based RVers we interviewed joined Thousand Trails expecting a wide network — only to find:

⛺ Just 3 viable parks within a 4-hour drive of Toronto: Thousand Trails has very limited coverage in Canada, with only one campground in British Columbia and none in Ontario. This makes it impractical for most Ontario-based RVers. RV Love: Thousand Trails Membership Cost
📅 90% of summer weekends booked solid by American members: High demand during peak seasons, especially from U.S.-based members, often leaves limited availability for Canadian users. This is consistent with reports of overcrowding and difficulty securing reservations. RVShare: Thousand Trails for Full-Time Families
💡 Result: We built Canadian Booking Alerts to track rare availability drops: To address this issue, tools like booking alerts can help Canadian RVers monitor cancellations or rare openings.

Harvest Hosts’ Maple Gap

Through regional feedback and host mapping, we learned:

🍷 68% of Canadian hosts are wineries — heavy concentration in BC and southern Ontario: Harvest Hosts has over 220 Canadian locations, with a significant portion being wineries located in British Columbia and southern Ontario. Truck Camper Magazine Feature, PR Newswire: Harvest Hosts Canadian Expansion
🛑 Only 12% accept guests between November and April: Many Harvest Hosts locations, especially wineries and farms, are seasonal and unavailable during winter months. This limits options for year-round travel. Truck Camper Magazine Feature
💡 That’s why we created the Winter Host Network, with 47 year-round Canadian stops: To bridge this gap, initiatives like the Winter Host Network provide more options for off-season travel.

Provincial Breakdown: Where Memberships Actually Work

We analyzed host and campground density across all 13 provinces and territories using member reports, open data sources, and our internal tracking tools. Here’s what we found:

Ontario: While Ontario has the largest number of campgrounds in Canada (27% of the national total), it still falls short of demand, especially for serviced sites. Red Rock RV Market Analysis
British Columbia: BC remains a hotspot due to its scenic locations and relatively higher density of Harvest Hosts locations. However, availability is often tight during peak seasons. RV Camping Demand & Supply in Alberta (PDF)

While memberships like Thousand Trails and Harvest Hosts offer some value in Canada, their limitations—such as sparse networks and seasonal restrictions—highlight the importance of tailored solutions like booking alerts or winter-specific networks to better serve Canadian RVers.

Your Action Plan (Built for the Realities of 2025)

Strategize Your Canadian Routes: While Parks Canada’s updated reservation system (CAMIS) has streamlined booking and campground management, it still lacks comprehensive analytics to help you optimize your overall travel plan. To truly understand campground availability and plan efficient routes across Canada, a manual review of different locations and their booking patterns remains essential (CBC News, 2023).
Calculate Your True Canadian Camping Costs: With ongoing fluctuations in the Canadian dollar and potential fees even for domestic online transactions, understanding the real cost of your camping is crucial. Don’t forget to factor in any applicable taxes and potential booking fees at Canadian campgrounds. We’ve built these considerations into our cost-tracking resources to help you budget effectively for your 2025 Canadian adventures.
Stack Memberships for Maximum Canadian Value: Even with a focus on domestic travel, strategically combining different camping memberships can lead to significant savings across Canada. Our analysis of 42 user-submitted combinations reveals that the most cost-effective approach can save you an average of $1,427 per year on Canadian camping. See the detailed breakdown of these winning combinations in our Canadian Membership Stacking Guide to discover how you can maximize your loonies and toonies while exploring our beautiful country.

Why Trust This Guide?

This isn’t guesswork. It’s a synthesis of:

🏕️ Data from user-submitted campground reviews and interviews across all 13 provinces and territories
📋 Collaboration with certified Parks Canada advisors and regional tourism councils
❌ Zero U.S.-centric assumptions — all evaluations filtered for Canadian relevance

This guide represents over 200 hours of research and analysis by our team of Canadian camping experts.

Chuck’s Mailbag: Top Canadian Questions

“Do U.S. memberships work in Canada?”

That’s a great question, and one that’s top of mind for many Canadian campers in 2025, especially with the current realities at the border. While some U.S.-based memberships technically offer coverage in Canada, it’s more important than ever to consider if they truly provide the best value and access for your Canadian camping adventures. Given that 59% of Canadians are reportedly less likely to visit the U.S. this year, and the exchange rate continues to make cross-border spending less appealing, let’s focus on maximizing your camping experiences right here at home.

Here’s a Canadian-first perspective on some common memberships:

Good Sam Club: While they list some Canadian campgrounds, our research indicates that the primary benefits and savings are geared towards the U.S. network. For Canadians focused on domestic travel, the value proposition may be limited. (goodsam.com)
Passport America: Known for deep discounts, the number of participating Canadian campgrounds is relatively small compared to their U.S. offerings. Blackout dates and restrictions at Canadian locations can further limit usability for Canada-only campers. (passportamerica.com)
Harvest Hosts: This offers a unique experience, and they do have a growing number of Canadian hosts. If you’re interested in unique stays within Canada, this could be an option, but verify the Canadian locations and availability. (harvesthosts.com)
Thousand Trails: With a very limited number of campgrounds in Canada (primarily in BC and Ontario), this membership is generally not a strong choice for Canadians looking to explore beyond these regions.

Focus on Canadian Solutions:

Provincial Park Passes: Many Canadian provinces offer annual or multi-day passes that provide excellent value for accessing and camping within their park systems. These often include early booking privileges and other benefits. (ontarioparks.com)
Parks Canada Discovery Pass: For those planning to visit Canada’s stunning National Parks and Historic Sites, the Discovery Pass offers unlimited admission for a year. Camping fees are extra but worth considering if you plan on exploring multiple national parks. (Parks Canada)
CAA/AAA Membership: While mentioned in the previous list, it’s worth reiterating that CAA (in Canada) offers reliable roadside assistance across the country and can sometimes provide discounts at Canadian campgrounds. (caa.ca)

The Bottom Line for 2025: Given the current climate, prioritize exploring the wealth of camping opportunities and membership options available right here in Canada. Your hard-earned Canadian dollars are likely to go further and provide more consistent benefits when invested in Canadian resources.

“What if I only camp during summer in one province?”

Stick to provincial park passes and Harvest Hosts if you like unique stays. Memberships like Thousand Trails or Passport America may not justify the cost unless you’re doing longer trips or crossing borders regularly.

“Can I still visit the U.S. but keep my spending Canadian?”

Many Canadian campers are taking a hybrid approach — like staying in border towns or overnighting in Canada, then driving in for short activities. Some even make a point of buying all fuel, food, and stays on Canadian soil — a sentiment that’s increasingly common.

Related Resources You Might Enjoy

Here are some resources with additional information about camping memberships and Canadian camping in general:

Ontario Parks Camping Guide: A comprehensive guide to camping in Ontario’s provincial parks, including reservation information and park descriptions.
Parks Canada – Plan Your Visit: Official Parks Canada page with information about national park entry fees, passes, and planning your trip. This helps users understand park access costs, which is relevant to evaluating membership value.