Military Discounts for Your Next Camping and RV Trip
Plan Your Next Camping Trip with These Military Discounts
Planning to go camping this summer? Want to take the RV out? Save a little bit of money using these military discounts on camping spots, RV locations, and camping gear.
Camping and RV Locations with Military Discounts
National Parks
If you’re a U.S. military veteran, an active-duty service member, or part of a Gold Star family, you can get free access to national parks and other federal lands—and in some cases, it’s for life.
Active-duty service members and their dependents can get a Military Annual Pass that waives entrance and standard day-use fees at over 2,000 sites like national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. You can grab this pass in person by showing a valid military ID, or order it online through the USGS website (though there’s a $10 processing fee and some wait time for shipping).
Veterans and Gold Star families are eligible for the Military Lifetime Pass, which provides the same benefits but never expires. Veterans just need to show proof of service, like a VA health card, a veteran ID, or even a state driver’s license with a veteran designation. Gold Star family members need to download a special voucher online to qualify.
These passes cover entrance and standard day-use fees for an entire vehicle at most locations. However, things like camping, tours, and special use permits aren’t included, so you’ll still need to pay separately for those.
Military Campgrounds and RV Parks
Military OneSource spotlights travel and recreation opportunities available to the military community. It introduces users to a wide variety of morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) lodging and camping options—places like cabins, campgrounds, and RV parks located on military installations across the U.S.
Its helpful interactive map tool allows users to explore these hidden getaways by state.
Each location typically includes information about amenities, types of accommodations available, and contact details for booking. View a list of campgrounds here.
KOA (Kampgrounds of America)
Many KOA campgrounds offer military discounts as a way to thank both active-duty service members and veterans. Availability and timing of the discount vary by location. Some campgrounds offer it year-round, while others limit it to their open season, typically April through October.
Discount rates also vary, with some locations offering 10 percent off daily rates and others offering up to 20 percent off.
Tents for Troops is a nationwide program that gives active-duty military members and their families a chance to camp for free. If you’re active-duty, you and your immediate family can enjoy at least two nights of free camping at participating locations. There’s no catch—just bring your own tent or RV, and call ahead to check availability and make a reservation. Some locations even offer longer stays or additional amenities, depending on the park.
Encore and Thousand Trails RV Resorts
There are over 200 RV resorts and campgrounds throughout the US and Canada within Encore and Thousand Trails RV Resorts. You can find a 20% military discount with a promo code. The discount is for active and retired military and good for up to six nights, with proof of military service at time of check-in.
Jellystone Park
Jellystone Park has over 75 locations across the US and Canada. They offer cabins, tent camping, glamping, RV sites, and RV rentals. You can typically find a military discount of 10% at most locations.
Sun Outdoors
Sun Outdoors has RV resorts around the country. They offer 20% off select sites with their Sun Military Discount program.
Tents for Troops
Tents for Troops partners with campgrounds across America that commit to offering two of their campsites free of charge to active duty military members and their families for a minimum of two nights.
Some examples of locations are Dubois Wind River KOA, Diamond M Ranch Resort, and Yosemite Pines RV Resort and Family Lodge.
Camping and RV Gear with Military Discounts
Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas
At Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas, you can find a host of camping and boating gear. They offer a 10 percent military discount every day, year-round. The discount is not valid on boats, trailers, and other vehicles, alcohol, gift cards, and non-merchandise services. Firearms and ammo are 5 percent off.
Active military, veterans, retirees, and national guard and reservists qualify for this discount and you would need to show your military ID or be verified to use it online.
Camping World
You can purchase RVs, gear, and boats, and rent RVs at Camping World. They offer a 5% military discount to active duty military, veterans, and the national guard. Just show your military ID.
Exclusions include boats, trailers, motors (except canoes and kayaks), RVs, ATVs, UTVs, and related trailers, as well as service or installation fees, gift cards, memberships, licenses, generators, exhaust systems, gear vendors, marine electronics, and augers.
Campmor
At Campmor, you can find binoculars, camp furniture, navigation devices, knives and tools, and other camping equipment and supplies. You can get up to 15 percent off with verification by GovX ID required.
E-Z Up
At E-Z Up you can find canopy tents, camping tents, and more. Members of the military and veterans receive military discounts of up to 20 percent on qualifying purchases after signing up via an online form at the official site.
Yeti Military Discount
With Yeti you can shop for coolers, drinkware, cargo, and more for your next camping trip. They offer a military discount with ID.me with savings typically between 20 and 40 percent.
Please check out Military Discounts for Those Who Love to Hunt and Fish for more discounts to use on your next vacation.
RELATED:
- Outdoor Recreation for Veterans: Free and Discounted Options
- Grilling and BBQ Military Discounts
- 8 States with Underused Outdoor Recreation Benefits for Veterans
- Hunting and Fishing Military Discounts
About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
