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Those seeking a campground or RV park membership have many options. It can become overwhelming to understand their benefits and differentiate between them. For example, many RVers don’t fully understand the RPI camping membership.
RPI stands for Resort Parks International, and if you have questions about what it offers, we’ll help you understand it and decide if you want to be a member. Let’s get started.
What Is Resort Parks International (RPI)?
Resort Parks International is an RV membership that saves members money if they buy into an affiliated resort. After establishing a home resort, you can purchase a separate membership with discounted rates at hundreds of reciprocal resorts. The club has resorts in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
How Does an RPI Membership Work?
Anyone who wants to purchase a membership is free to do so after buying a membership at a home or host resort.
There are three membership levels: RPI plus, RPI preferred, and RPI preferred gold. Each comes with its own set of benefits, building on each other with more benefits. As a result, each membership level has unique pricing.
All levels offer the basics, including discounts at RV resorts. Members pay $10 per night to camp at RPI resorts, with a seven-night maximum. Members must have seven days between reservations before returning to the same resort, and they can reserve up to 60 days in advance.
To take advantage of the discounted rate, members must visit affiliated resorts more than 125 air miles from the member’s home address. Membership lets each member hold reservations at each resort twice within a calendar year.
Pro Tip: Looking for the right RV club to join? Check out The Ultimate Guide to RV Clubs to help make your decision.
Where Can You Camp with an RPI Membership?
RPI has over 150 properties and more than 200 other resorts in which members can receive a discount. The states with the most resorts include Washington, Arizona, and California. Most RPI campgrounds are in the far east and west portions of the United States. There are RPI campgrounds in the middle of the country, but they’re not as plentiful.
Pro Tip: We have the best spots for beach camping in southern California that you need to visit →
How Much Does It Cost to Join RPI?
The cost to join RPI varies based on the home park you choose. There’s no universal buy-in price since each park’s amenities and locations are different. You should call each resort to ask specific pricing questions.
Once you’ve selected and paid for a home resort, you can stay at reciprocal RPI resorts for only $10 a night.
Does an RPI Membership Include Family Members?
RPI is technically a member-only program, and each paid membership only receives one membership card. However, the primary RPI membership holder can bring immediate or extended family members if they stay below the occupancy limits for an individual site.
If you’re unsure of the individual resort’s limits, it’s best to call ahead. The RPI member must utilize the reservation; you cannot make a reservation for a family member to use without you.
Do You Have to Reserve Campgrounds with RPI?
Members can make reservations up to 60 days in advance. Some resorts require reservations, while others only accept walk-ins. Contact your resort to better understand their reservation procedure. You’re not guaranteed a reservation simply because you have a membership, so make reservations as far in advance as possible.
Is Getting an RPI Membership Worth the Cost?
The answer to this question depends on the camper and where they like to go. Those who frequently camp on either coast will likely save money even after the membership cost. A discounted rate of $10 a night can add up, especially in places where resorts can exceed $80 a night.
Those who camp predominantly in the middle section of the country might find themselves unimpressed with the resort options. They could have a tough time justifying the distance they need to travel to make use of their membership. Some states only have one or two resorts, and North Dakota has none.
So, RPI membership can be a great way to explore new resorts without breaking the bank, but consider your options before diving in.
Do you see the RPI camping membership as a valuable addition for RVers? If you already have a membership, is it something you’d suggest to others?
Another way to get into RPI is with a Thousand Trails membership.
Who owns RPI? When did it orginate? Who founded?
ELS, which owns Thousand Trails, Encore, some KOAs, and Mobile Home Corp (MHC) parks, and all MHC ancillary services within the ELS parks (housekeeping, maintenance, cabins, rentals, etc.)
We are finding it increasingly difficult to get RPI reservations, as member parks are increasing their restrictions. The KM Resorts group of campgrounds no longer accepts reservations from members from my home park, although I have RPI Preferred. The Sunrise resort group will not let us stay because our motorhome is 17 years old, although it is in excellent condition. Yet the same resort let me make private reservations, at $49 a night, without any age restriction!!