How Does the Harvest Hosts Membership Program Work?
Harvest Hosts is an RVer membership program that invites RVers to have unique overnight stays. I have been a Harvest Hosts member for every year I have been RVing, and it has been worth it. It doesn’t matter whether you like wine or brews, farms or museums, attractions or golf. There is a space for you at more than 9,000 choices across North America—with many offering multiple-night stays and hookups. And Harvest Hosts is adding hundreds of new locations every month.
At no other campground do you get anything in return for your investment like Harvest Hosts. For a $30 donation toward products and services, you not only get a great overnight parking spot at amazing locations, but you get to walk away with a product or service as a bonus. You are also helping the local economy!
Every time my husband and I stay at a Harvest Hosts destination, we visit the owner and learn about their farm, winery, or entertainment venue.
Whether you are a wine drinker or not, it is interesting to learn about harvests, how different types of wines grow, and how wines are shipped or stored. Behind every host is an amazing story of entrepreneurs who work very hard to deliver their products or services.Meeting Fellow RVers
There is no better lead-in to a conversation than sharing a location with other RVers along with a Host site you share an interest in. You can also share conversations with them over a pint of brew, a glass of wine, or while walking around the gardens of a museum—wherever your unique RV camping location happens to be. It’s also nice to know that Harvest Hosts locations are not overcrowded. It makes for a nice, large camping space with intimate connections.
Make Great Memories
Create your own stories to share. One time, we stayed at a farm where we put in an order for farm-fresh items ahead of time. When we arrived, we had a basket waiting for us with fresh homemade bread, farm eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions from the garden.
It was nice to sit down to a meal all prepared fresh from a local farm. On another occasion, we stopped at a winery where we learned how grapes were harvested, listened to live music, and got a tasting of local craft cheeses. All the experiences are one-of-a-kind, enduring memories.
Easy Membership
As a member, you have access to wineries, breweries, farms, museums, drive-ins, campground discounts, and more. You can also add golf locations and Escapees with their All Access Membership. Discount Memberships are offered throughout the year but a standard year of Membership starts at only $99 per year; it’s a no-brainer!
When you log in with your Membership, you can put in the city where you want to stay, see photos and reviews of the areas, and get specifics on site lengths. From there, it’s a simple in-app process to request a stay. Some locations even offer multiple nights! Now, with the RV LIFE Trip Wizard integration, you can even add these stops to any route that you plan inside of the RV LIFE Trip Wizard App. Simply connect your Harvest Hosts account and start adding stops. Do note, however, just because a stop is added to your Trip Wizard trip it does not mean that the site has been booked. In order to book the stay, you will still need to follow the steps above.
Important Notes About Harvest Hosts
Overnight camping is free, but a $30 minimum donation/purchase is recommended
Overnight camping is free; in exchange, it is requested that you utilize the Host’s service for at least $30. Unfortunately, speaking with several Hosts, we have found out people are taking advantage of the membership.These businesses rely on Members to support the business in exchange for being a part of the program.
One RVer spent the night at a winery, and then, when the hosts let them know the winery was getting ready to close, they told the owner that it was OK, they didn’t like wine. The RVer had no intention of meeting the $30 honorarium for services. This is unacceptable because even wineries and breweries usually have food and other items for purchase.
This is a habit that will ruin the services of all other Members. We should also point out that Hosts can now rate your stay, and if you do not patronize the Hosts, you will eventually rate yourself out of being able to stay at any Host site.
You may be able to stay more than one night
On request, some sites will let you stay more than one night if they are not crowded or overbooked. Expect to still compensate them with purchases for multiple nights.
You must be self-contained
Business restrooms are not for your repeated use or bathing needs. You must be able to boondock on-site and provide your own electric service. Although there are some Hosts that may have hook-up options available for additional charges, that is optional. Some Hosts permit generator use; others may not. Each Host profile on the Harvest Hosts site will provide this information.
Boondockers Welcome is an additional option
Harvest Hosts has also added an RVer membership program called Boondockers Welcome, where you can stay on an individual’s home site/private property. Consider adding that feature and doubling your access locations. All of the programs have a 100% money-back guarantee.
There is a code of conduct
This ensures everyone is protected by the overnight stays.
Final thoughts
My husband and I call this the perfect business model. Everyone wins! Harvest Hosts gets Members. RVers get wonderful places to stay, experiences, and friendships. And the hosts exchange a stay at their establishments while highlighting and selling their services to people they might never reach.It’s time to join a group that offers great partnerships and experiences to us all. You can learn more about their membership program on their website at HarvestHosts.com.
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12 thoughts on “A Harvest Hosts Guide for Newbies”
Annual membership fee plus $20 per night minimum for a self contained, no water or electric stay? I’ll just stay at a state park, thank you.
For your $20 you might get a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer, it’s not money down the drain. It’s not really a fee, it’s more like a drink minimum at a bar. You can spend it however you want, but you have to spend it. Even primitive camping BLM sites are often $20 these days (around Moab), and state parks with hookups are typically $40+.
I understand where “Jim” is coming from. I’m new to HH, and am okay with purchasing a product from hosts, but it’s misleading information to state that the camping is free, when we also have to pay $20 minimum per night. That used to be called a bait and switch tactic. Since Harvest Hosts is making it very clear that this is expected, and that hosts are upset when it doesn’t happen, stop claiming that the camping is free. Any exchange involving money isn’t free.
Can I join if I camp and travel in a self contained van.
I am having trouble trying to find locations with electric traveling from West Tx to Eastern Ohio. I have been a member since November 2022 and never used because find a map. Neil YANT
My husband and I love wine tasting and have greatly enjoyed Harvest Host. We love being able to have a tasting and walk back to our RV to spend the night surrounded by vineyards. If you’re just in it for a free place to stay it’s probably not for you. If you want to enjoy new experiences and not have to drive home afterwards, give it a shot! We’re going to a boondockers welcome spot Saturday for a watermelon festival!
My wife and I truly enjoy using Harvest Hosts. To be fair we really enjoy visiting wineries and tastings even without the motorhome. We have been using HH for about 7 years. We have met some awesome people, found some really unique stopping points, and some yummy food. We have not had a bad experience yet.
Gary in Ohio
HH now wants campers to spend $30/night.
We have been with HH and BW since inception and have met fantastic warm and friendly hosts and fellow RVers. Our first HH cost us $200 because I loved the wine. I have tempered that considerably, but find weekends and holidays so comfortable at HH instead of crowded campsites. Every year I reconsider membership, then realize how much I valued the stays..and purchase again. I agree, it is not free camping and shouldn’t be advertised as such.
How do I make a reservation?
Love Harvest Hosts! Wondering what is suggested as a payment/donation if you are staying if on private property that is not a business to make a purchase at. We have donated to a church’s food pantry online.
We just signed up this week for HH and successfully booked our first time. We are travelling with another party who also has a HH subscription. What is a strategy for both of us to get a site together? We booked and twice and had to cancel because the other party was denied. Obviously there needs to be 2 sites but how can we tell if both sites are available?