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Been talking to my daughter-in-law about spring break next year. They want to take their trailer and meet me at a campground in Santa Barbara and are looking at one that happens to be a Thousand Trails campground. We'd be there for several days, which has made me consider a membership. They have a deal to buy one and get one other zone, so I would pick the Southwest and maybe the Southeast.

I really prefer national and state parks because you have so much more privacy, but sometimes I just need a place to sit and get work done where I can get hookups and internet, etc. So, maybe it would end up being a good deal for me.

Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

The only thing I know about them is that there always seems to be a lot of them for sale.

Judy, The place I would start is to see where the parks are you are will be able to use. Many are off the beaten path - I know of one in California that, last I knew, cell service was not good and you went to the clubhouse to use their Internet. That said, I haven't been there in a number of years - east of San Diego. If the one you are talking about near Santa Barbara is Rancho Oso, I'd ask about cell and Internet - I haven't been there is many years. Usually if your provider doesn't work, they offer their Wi-Fi somewhere in the park.

Also, check the parks out on RV Park Reviews.

I have a Thousand Trails membership - sometimes I am not too happy with the parks and their conditions. Others I really enjoy. With the Zone deals (I'm assuming that is what you are talking about), you may have access to parks I don't since the company owns different 'memberships'.

Another thing you can do is look at satellite views of each park to see how they are set up - some are better than others where sites are concerned. The one I was just at had pull thrus, but they was no room between them! I made the mistake of parking in one because I didn't want to back in!

JudyJB wrote:Been talking to my daughter-in-law about spring break next year. They want to take their trailer and meet me at a campground in Santa Barbara and are looking at one that happens to be a Thousand Trails campground. We'd be there for several days, which has made me consider a membership. They have a deal to buy one and get one other zone, so I would pick the Southwest and maybe the Southeast.

I really prefer national and state parks because you have so much more privacy, but sometimes I just need a place to sit and get work done where I can get hookups and internet, etc. So, maybe it would end up being a good deal for me.

Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

Judy, I tried that deal last year...2 for 1 zone pass, NE & SE. I did use it and got my money's worth as I traveled up the east coast. And then I canceled my membership. Not my kind of camping. Join the group "Thousand Trails, the Good and the Bad," on Facebook, and you will get a variety of opinions.