Written by the Getaway Couple Rae & Jason
Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome are a couple of unique camping memberships we often recommend to RVers. However, you may already have a camping membership and not know it. There are Elks Lodge RV parking spots all over the country, and if you’re already a member of the Elks, you can start taking advantage of these spots. Let’s dive in!
What Is Elks Lodge RV Parking?
You may have heard of The Elks as they have been around since the 1800s. Over the years, the group has morphed from a social club to a group with an emphasis on benevolence. Currently, there are over 2,000 Elks Lodges impacting local communities around the country.
Many lodges allow RVers to park overnight in their parking lots, and some locations have specifically created RV sites. Much like a campground, there’s no consistency in amenities that a lodge may provide or any associated costs. One club may have a couple of full hook-up RV sites, but the next might only be able to provide a spot to park for the night.
Is Elks Lodge RV Parking Available for Anyone?
Despite what you might have heard, Elks Lodge RV parking can be an option for anyone, whether you’re a member or not. However, it’s up to the individual lodge to determine whether or not they will allow non-members to utilize their RV parking spots. Some lodges reserve specific sites for members or charge non-members a different rate.
If you’re looking to stay at an Elks Lodge and don’t have an active membership, you’ll first want to verify whether they allow non-members to stay. You don’t want to show up and discover that you can’t stay at a location because they assumed you were a member.
Can Anyone Join the Elks?
To join The Elks, you must have a sponsor in good standing propose you for membership. You’ll also need two other Elks in good standing to serve as references. The sponsor will give you a membership application to complete. Your application will then be read over at a lodge meeting and sent to an Investigating Committee. You and your sponsor will need to meet with the committee for an interview.
The Investigating Committee reports back to the lodge regarding their findings. The lodge will then vote on whether to extend membership to you or not. If the vote passes, you’ll get an invitation for you and your spouse to an indoctrination. During this process, you’ll learn more about the programs and charities that the lodge actively supports. You’ll then receive your initiation date. Once initiated, you can participate in meetings and the various social functions the lodge hosts.
As you can see, it can be a rather lengthy process - one they take seriously. This ensures the group's integrity and that all members live lives above reproach. You can’t simply hop onto their website, pay a few bucks, and become a member of the Elks.
What Are the Benefits of Joining the Elks?
When you join the Elks, you’re joining over 1 million other American citizens with a passion for preserving American institutions, traditions, and values. You’ll be able to brush shoulders with like-minded people who want to care for their neighbors and make their community a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Many who join Elks Lodge do so not for their benefit but also for how they can help their community. However, despite the selfless act of joining, there are benefits beyond knowing they’re positively impacting their community. There are travel, insurance, and discounts on many other services. Members can also rent Elks’ facilities for events.
Finding Elks Lodge RV Parking
Elks Lodges with RV parking are easy to find. You can use their website to find lodges with RV facilities or use the search filter on the Allstays app. While there’s currently no search filter on Campendium, we have seen some listed when scouting out spots.
You’ll want to do some planning when trying to find these spots. You may need to call or email the Elks member who oversees the RV parking for the local lodge to inquire about staying. Since it isn’t their full-time job, it may take time for them to get back to you. However, if you give yourself some time to plan, you can find Elks Lodge RV parking all across the country.
Is Elks Lodge RV Parking for You?
Elks Lodge RV parking can be an excellent option for overnight and short stays. Many RVers find that they can use these locations regularly when breaking up long travel days or when they can’t get into a local campground. So whether you're a member or not, it’s worth reaching out to a local Elks Lodge when you’re having trouble finding an RV parking spot.
