Returning to the Great Outdoors with
Thousand Trails

By: Christine Fox

Thousand Trails’ preserves include comfortable amenities blended with traditional outdoor recreational activities including fishing, hiking and swimming. `

Serving as a premium outdoors destination to over 100,000 members, Thousand Trails' preserves are conveniently located in 17 states and British Columbia, Canada. The company also provides a reciprocal- use program for members of approximately 280 recreational facilities and manages 240 public campgrounds for the U.S. Forest Service and other entities.

Each of the preserves offers quality amenities featuring resort-style camping along with endless outdoor recreation options including swimming pools, member lodges, nature trails and separate children’s recreation areas.

New in 2004, Thousand Trails launched a Getaway Club membership, which includes access to all of the camping preserves within the nationwide Thousand Trails, NACO and Leisure Time campground systems and priority use of the exclusive Getaway Units at select preserves – including 10 preserves in California.

“The Getaway Club membership provides members with a variety of rental accommodations located near exciting vacation destinations such as Hershey Park, PA and Walt Disney World Resort, FL,” said Gelinas.

The new high-end Getaway Units feature luxury conveniences including linen packages, a flat screen television, satellite TV, a fireplace and surround sound stereo. Additionally, each unit comfortably sleeps six and also is equipped with a BBQ grill as well as everything needed for family or group gatherings and outdoor entertaining. “The Getaway units are great for having family and friends visit and enjoy an outside BBQ on the private patio,” said Francis King, a current Thousand Trails Getaway member. “The units are much nicer than staying in a hotel and you get all the amenities of home including satellite TV.”
 

Getaway Club members also can select to overnight in alternative accommodations including cabins and cottages that sleep up to six people and are available in a variety of styles; yurts, a large, domeshaped, circular tent-style structure featuring weather proof roof and skylights; garden homes and park models offering members a larger and more spacious living space; and vacation trailers ranging from 24- to 35-feet.

“We see a real need among younger families and ex-RVers as well as individuals who are interested in becoming RVers for the Getaway Club,” said Gelinas. “The club allows individuals to still enjoy the camping lifestyle without the expense of an RV.”

For more information on how you can become a member of Thousand Trails or to make a reservation for a FREE Camping Weekend, please call (866) 443-3056 or log onto www.thousandtrails.com/ap.