Do I really need a camping club membership for a road trip?

Not necessarily — but it can make your trip smoother, cheaper and far more flexible. Membership gives you access to small private sites, discounted pitch fees and a wider choice of safe, well-kept places to stay.

Which membership is best for me?

It depends on how you like to travel. The Camping and Caravanning Club is friendly and great for all types of campers. The Caravan and Motorhome Club is ideal if you want excellent facilities and motorhome-friendly sites. ACSI is a good option for low-season travel and longer trips, especially across Europe.

Will I actually save money?

Most people do. Discounted night rates, fixed low-season prices and member-only offers add up quickly. If you camp more than a few nights a year, the membership usually pays for itself.

Are member-only sites really worth it?

Yes. These hidden-away certified locations often sit on farms or private land, giving you peaceful, scenic stays you simply can’t book anywhere else.

Can I use these memberships with a tent, campervan or motorhome?

Absolutely. Clubs cater to a wide range of setups. Some sites may be better suited to certain vehicles, but that’s easy to check beforehand.

Do I need to book ahead?

In summer or popular areas, yes. Outside peak times, you’ll usually have more flexibility — especially with member-only locations that stay quieter.

Are club campsites more regulated?

Generally, yes. Facilities tend to be clean, pitches well maintained and staff experienced in helping campers. It takes away a lot of the guesswork.

Is ACSI a club in the same way?

Not exactly. ACSI is more of a discount system than a club. It offers low-cost rates at thousands of campsites, which is brilliant for off-peak travellers and longer trips.

Can I join more than one club?

Many road trippers do. Each membership has different strengths, and having more than one gives you more choice, more savings and more flexibility while travelling.

Choosing a Camping Club That Fits Your Road Trip Style

Get the best out of your road trip with camping club memberships

• Member-only sites: access to private locations you can’t stay at without joining.

• Savings: reduced pitch fees and low-season rates that quickly pay for the membership.

• Flexibility: more choice, safer stops and easier planning throughout your journey.

If you’re heading out on a road trip in a motorhome, campervan or even a car with a tent in the boot, a camping club membership can make the whole experience feel easier and a lot more enjoyable. Instead of relying on busy public campsites or hoping something pops up at the last minute, membership gives you access to a whole world of extra places to stay, from small, peaceful spots on private land to tucked-away hideouts and well-kept club sites with clean facilities and friendly hosts.

Many travellers are surprised by just how much value they get from joining. You can save money on pitch fees, discover places you’d never find through booking apps and enjoy the peace of mind that every stop is legal, safe and looked after. There’s a community element too, with guides, maps and fellow campers sharing tips that make planning far easier.

If you love flexibility, comfort and exploring beyond the typical routes, a camping club membership can really open up your road trip. Take a further look at our guides for helping you decide upon camping club membership below:

Part 1: Why Camping Club Memberships Matter on a Road Trip

Part 2: How Memberships Save You Money (Often Much More Than the Fee)

Part 3: A Wider World of Campsites (That You Cannot Access Otherwise)

Part 4: Support, Community and Local Knowledge

Part 6: Why Membership Works Particularly Well on a Road Trip

Part 7: Is a Membership Worth It?

FAQs

Part 1: Why Camping Club Memberships Matter on a Road Trip

Camping club memberships can quietly transform a road trip. They open up a huge range of places you simply can’t access without being a member, small, peaceful sites on private land, cosy hideaways run by local hosts, and networks of safe, well-looked-after campgrounds that give you confidence wherever you travel.

Whether you’re driving a campervan, touring in a motorhome or pitching a tent with your car, memberships offer a mix of choice, discounts, security, and reliable facilities. For road trippers who like a blend of freedom and comfort, it gives you the best of both worlds: the joy of exploring new places without worrying where you’ll rest your head each night.

Part 2: How Memberships Save You Money (Often Much More Than the Fee)

One of the biggest advantages of joining a camping club is the savings. Most clubs offer reduced nightly rates, off-peak deals, or fixed low-cost fees at partner campsites. If you camp even a handful of times a year, the membership usually pays for itself quickly.

Savings can include:

discounted pitch fees
special low-season rates
exclusive member-only prices
partner offers on outdoor gear, travel insurance or ferries

For long road trips, multi-week adventures or families travelling in school holidays, the reductions can be substantial. It’s one of the simplest ways to stretch your budget without compromising on comfort.

Part 3: A Wider World of Campsites (That You Cannot Access Otherwise)

Memberships unlock access to privately owned club sites, certified locations and small member-only spots that you won’t find on public booking platforms. These are often:

peaceful hideaways on private land
small farm-based sites
beautifully maintained club-owned sites with excellent facilities
safe overnight stops in scenic areas
locations you would never discover without membership

Some are perfect for tents; others are tailored for motorhomes and campervans. What they all share is permission, reliability, and a welcoming feel, especially helpful when you’re travelling through remote or unfamiliar areas.

This expanded network gives you choice, which is particularly useful on a road trip where plans shift, weather changes, and you want options beyond standard campsites.

Part 4: Support, Community and Local Knowledge

Camping clubs aren’t just about the sites; they’re about the people. Members often describe the community as one of the unexpected joys:

fellow travellers happy to share tips
friendly wardens on club sites
social events and rallies you can join or simply skip
forums and route-planning tools
local advice from hosts who know the area inside out

If you enjoy meeting like-minded travellers or simply like knowing you’re part of a wider network, membership gives you that sense of connection without any obligation.

It’s also incredibly helpful for new campers who appreciate advice, reassurance and the chance to learn from experienced travellers.

Part 5: Popular UK Camping Clubs and What They Offer

Choosing a camping club can feel a bit overwhelming at first, simply because there are so many options. But each club has its own character, strengths and types of travellers it suits best. Some focus on big, beautifully maintained campsites with great facilities, while others open the door to tiny, peaceful spots on private land that you’d never be able to stay at otherwise.

Here’s a clearer look at a few well-known clubs, what they’re like in real life, and the sort of experience you can expect — especially useful if you’re planning a road trip and want a mix of comfort, peace and flexibility along the way.

The Camping and Caravanning Club is the world's Largest Camping Club. Often called “the friendly club,” this one is known for being incredibly welcoming to all types of campers — tents, campervans, motorhomes and everything in between. Their sites tend to feel relaxed and spacious, with clean facilities and a reassuring consistency across the network.
In addition to their main campsites, the real gem is the huge number of Certified Sites: tiny member-only spots on farms and private land where you can stay with permission, often in lovely quiet settings. The club is also very beginner-friendly, and many hire companies include a temporary membership, making it a great option for first-time road trips.

Membership provides up to 30% off selected campsites.

Hiring a campervan or motorhome? Many hire companies provide a membership via the 'Privilege Membership Scheme'. Ask your hire company for details. Campsites must be booked in advance.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has over 110 years of experience helping people to explore the great outdoors. Well-loved by motorhome and campervan travellers, this club is known for excellent facilities and a strong focus on convenience. Their sites are usually very well maintained, with spotless washrooms, level pitches and facilities designed to make touring simple.
A big bonus is the flexible booking system, allowing stays to be booked with no deposit, plus generous member rates that can make a big difference over the course of a long journey. Their network also includes many CL (Certified Location) sites, which are small, peaceful and perfect if you prefer quieter stopovers. For road trippers who like reliable comfort after a long day of driving, this club fits beautifully.

Members can benefit from:

Savings of 50% per night on campsite pitch fees
UK Club campsites can be booked with no deposit and the freedom and flexibility to amend or cancel your trip.

Camping Card ASCI

Camp at bargain rates in the low season

CampingCard ACSI is a brilliant option for anyone who loves travelling outside of peak season or prefers quieter, more relaxed trips. Rather than giving you access to a single network, it offers discounted rates at thousands of campsites across Europe, including a good number in the UK, all inspected annually so you know what to expect.

The biggest draw is the fixed low-cost nightly rates: you pay one simple price depending on the site’s category, which can work out dramatically cheaper than booking through standard channels. If you’re touring in spring or autumn, the savings can add up very quickly.

Many road trippers like using ACSI alongside another membership because it widens your options, especially if you’re travelling internationally or planning a longer route. The guide and app make it easy to see which campsites accept the discount and what facilities they offer, which is incredibly handy when you’re on the road and want somewhere affordable, reliable and straightforward for the night.

Always pay one of the six fixed low-cost nightly rates - Save up to 60% per night cheaper in the early and late low season.
3,000 participating campsites throughout Europe - this includes UK campsites
Membership from €16.95 - earn it back within four nights!

CampingCard ACSI membership

With CampingCard ACSI you can camp even cheaper in the off-season.

Always pay one of the six fixed low-cost nightly rates

3,000 participating campsites, inspected every year
Save up to 60% per night
Additional subscription advantage: 18% discount on your purchase

CampingCard ASCI membership website

CampingCard ACSI subscription

With a subscription you will receive the latest version of the CampingCard ACSI guide and discount card before Christmas each year.

If you opt for a combination with the handy CampingCard ACSI app, you will have access to all campsite information on your smartphone or tablet until December 31st 2024.

CampingCard ASCI subscription website

CampingCard ACSI app

Access to the campsite information in this handy app, charged at a nominal price. With it, you'll have information about 3,000 campsites digitally to hand wherever you go.

Travelling by motorhome means you choose the extra package with 9,000 motorhome pitches in the ordering process. (Add this via the shopping basket).

The app is perfect for when you are on the road and you can also use it offline!

CampingCard ASCI APP website

Part 6: Why Membership Works Particularly Well on a Road Trip

When you’re touring rather than staying put, accommodation needs change daily. Memberships help by giving you:

predictability when you want a guaranteed stay
freedom to choose small member-only sites off the beaten track
flexibility to book ahead or make last-minute changes
safety in knowing you’re on permitted land
reliable facilities after long driving days

The mix of savings, extra choice and peace of mind fits naturally into the way most people road trip.

Part 7: Is a Membership Worth It?

For most travellers, yes, especially if you camp more than a couple of times a year or take multi-stop road trips.

It’s worth it if you value:

quieter, private, member-only stays
reduced nightly prices
clean, well-managed sites
a huge range of locations
friendly support and advice

It’s not worth it only if you rarely camp or prefer purely off-grid travel every night.

More information to help plan your perfect road trip

Our route planner tips include a road trip planning guide, how a Travel Planner can help with your travel plans and Road Trip Planning Top Tips. Discover how a heritage membership can also help with your trip. Don’t forget to look up road trip experiences, hidden gems and viewpoints. Double-check the what to pack checklist, get tips on creating your perfect road trip playlist and be inspired with our road trip recipes.

There are loads of ideas for destinations to give you road trip inspiration for the UK and if you need help finding a leisure vehicle to buy, hire or even convert into a campervan, alongside driving tips, such as the Motor Caravanners Code of Conduct, visit our Find a Vehicle pages.

Not necessarily — but it can make your trip smoother, cheaper and far more flexible. Membership gives you access to small private sites, discounted pitch fees and a wider choice of safe, well-kept places to stay.
It depends on how you like to travel. The Camping and Caravanning Club is friendly and great for all types of campers. The Caravan and Motorhome Club is perfect if you want excellent facilities and motorhome-friendly sites. ACSI is a good option for low-season travel and longer trips, especially across Europe.
Most people do. Discounted night rates, fixed low-season prices and member-only offers add up quickly. If you camp more than a few nights a year, the membership usually pays for itself.
Yes. These hidden-away certified locations often sit on farms or private land, giving you peaceful, scenic stays you simply can’t book anywhere else.
Absolutely. All three clubs cater to a wide range of setups. Some sites may be better suited to certain vehicles, but that’s easy to check beforehand.
In summer or popular areas, yes. Outside peak times, you’ll usually have more flexibility — especially with member-only locations that stay quieter.
Generally, yes. Facilities tend to be clean, pitches well maintained and staff experienced in helping campers. It takes away a lot of the guesswork.
Not exactly. ACSI is more of a discount system than a club. It offers low-cost rates at thousands of campsites, which is brilliant for off-peak travellers and European trips.
Many road trippers do. Each membership has different strengths, and having more than one simply gives you more choice, more savings and more flexibility while travelling.