Question Elks?

[sheridany]

A fellow RV er told me today the best kept secret in overnight stays is Elks lodges. Is anyone a elks member and what is your experience?

 

[DHudson]

Elks Lodges RV Database

 

[Neal]

I see those around when searching for CG's but don't know much about them. @sheridany care to educate us on costs, perks, etc.?

 

[sheridany]

I talked to a local elks member and you have to join the organization. You need a sponsor and go to a meeting. They decide on your membership at a future meeting and once you are in you can use the RV parking for overnight stays across the country. Most are free or a small charge. Some have hookups and some don’t. Here’s are good link. This might be a good option in addition to Harvest Host/Boondockers to have available as a overnight place.

Can You Park Your RV Overnight at an Elks Lodge?

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[redbaron]

There is much more to being an elk than just free rv stays.

Simply put, no you can't just become a member and attend one meeting to become a member for free rv lodging. You must remain a member in good standing and active with your sponsored lodge.

 

[Fish]

I was a member of the elks for a long time, even got talked into becoming a trustee when the lodge was going broke due to mismanagement and theft. We got that straightened out back then but every new slate of officers is a new challenge with a new agenda.
I found that the only time I went up there was one day a year to pay my $77 so I dropped out. I don't live in town, don't need a place to eat lunch or drink.

I went to their rv site listings and the only one in IL I've been to. I remembered it being hard enough to find and park a pickup truck at that I couldn't imagine parking my rig there. I clicked on a few in alabama and put them on google earth and pretty much the same thing.

With my rig or the one I had before I'd just as soon take my chances on a WalMart and I don't do that either.

 

[AndrewG]

There is much more to being an elk than just free rv stays.

Simply put, no you can't just become a member and attend one meeting to become a member for free rv lodging. You must remain a member in good standing and active with your sponsored lodge.

Old post, so sorry to resurrect it, but that is not correct. I have been an Elk for 9 years. I have not attended a meeting since my induction, but I have been to over 50 different lodges across the country, either as a visitor or RV camping. I pay my yearly dues and I am in good standing.

You most certainly can join the Elks simply for RV camping.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Old post, so sorry to resurrect it, but that is not correct. I have been an Elk for 9 years. I have not attended a meeting since my induction, but I have been to over 50 different lodges across the country, either as a visitor or RV camping. I pay my yearly dues and I am in good standing.

You most certainly can join the Elks simply for RV camping.

Exactly, and we have stayed at some outstanding lodges around the country. The majority of the lodges have electrical, some have water and electric with a dump station, and maybe 20% are full hookups. The price is normally $30 or less, and the drinks and food are relatively inexpensive. We have met some really great people, also.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Exactly, and we have stayed at some outstanding lodges around the country. The majority of the lodges have electrical, some have water and electric with a dump station, and maybe 20% are full hookups. The price is normally $30 or less, and the drinks and food are relatively inexpensive. We have met some really great people, also.

Although we have yet to stay at an Elks, we have friends that are members. They say most lodges allow visiting guests even if you are not a member if there is room.

 

[AndrewG]

I stand by the statement someone had said earlier (years ago), the Elks Lodge is the "best kept secret" in RV camping. It isn't like other "campground memberships" since that's not what it is.

I've stayed at dozens upon dozens of Elks Lodge's from Massachusetts to Washington to Florida to California. Some are complete campgrounds with pull-thru sites, full hook-ups and all. Others, are camping in a designated spot but electric only, and still others are just dry camping in their parking lot for the night. All sorts of places (in all sorts of lodges). When I am in a place where there is often few options, the Elks works every time.

Albuquerque during the balloon fiesta? There's an Elks Lodge there. Charlottesville to see the historic sites? There's an Elks Lodge there too. Boston to see the historic sites there? Yep, there's an Elks Lodge in Sagus just north of Boston near a train station.

And on and on. In Seattle for a wedding? Elks Lodge. Need a quick overnight in the middle of Texas? Lots of Elks Lodges. Driving across California? Needles has an Elks Lodge on your way in or out.

And the cost is anywhere from about $10 for dry camping up to $45 or so in some locations. Cheaper than most other places by far. And you can usually get a cheap drink while you're there too (if that's your thing).

Highly recommended.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

I stand by the statement someone had said earlier (years ago), the Elks Lodge is the "best kept secret" in RV camping. It isn't like other "campground memberships" since that's not what it is.

I've stayed at dozens upon dozens of Elks Lodge's from Massachusetts to Washington to Florida to California. Some are complete campgrounds with pull-thru sites, full hook-ups and all. Others, are camping in a designated spot but electric only, and still others are just dry camping in their parking lot for the night. All sorts of places (in all sorts of lodges). When I am in a place where there is often few options, the Elks works every time.

Albuquerque during the balloon fiesta? There's an Elks Lodge there. Charlottesville to see the historic sites? There's an Elks Lodge there too. Boston to see the historic sites there? Yep, there's an Elks Lodge in Sagus just north of Boston near a train station.

And on and on. In Seattle for a wedding? Elks Lodge. Need a quick overnight in the middle of Texas? Lots of Elks Lodges. Driving across California? Needles has an Elks Lodge on your way in or out.

And the cost is anywhere from about $10 for dry camping up to $45 or so in some locations. Cheaper than most other places by far. And you can usually get a cheap drink while you're there too (if that's your thing).

Highly recommended.

As stated earlier, we have never stayed at an Elks. How do you get a site? Do you google for a phone number? Most time we have driven by, there didn't seem to be anyone at the lodge. A lodge in Seattle sounds great since there is little in the way of RV Parks near by.

 

[AndrewG]

As stated earlier, we have never stayed at an Elks. How do you get a site? Do you google for a phone number? Most time we have driven by, there didn't seem to be anyone at the lodge. A lodge in Seattle sounds great since there is little in the way of RV Parks near by.

First of all, you must be an Elk (well, almost always). Some Elks lodges will let non-members stay there, but not usually. Contact your local Elks Lodge. It costs about $130'ish a year to be a member. There is a process, but once you complete it, that's it (other than paying your yearly dues).

Once you're an Elk, you just find an Elks Lodge that has camping and either call or just show up. I use the app All Stays and they have an Elks Lodge filter that shows all the Elks Lodges that have camping (many do not). Most of the time, I just show up and it isn't usually an issue. If it is a lodge with a lot of traffic, you might need to make reservations. There is one in Garden Grove, CA (Orange County) that isn't far from Disneyland. It is best to call them.

However, most of the time we just show up, go into the bar and talk to them and you're all set. If there isn't anyone there, there is usually a sign near the door or posted somewhere with instructions.

Hope this is helpful.