Whispering Pines Farm in Iowa, where we picked our own farm-fresh vegetables (Photo by L. Belden)
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, and attractions or golf. There is a space for you at over 3,500+ choices across North America. And Harvest Hosts is adding hundreds of new ones every month. But just because it is one of the fastest growing RV services doesn’t mean you’ll want to join. So, why would you?
The Harvest Hosts stories
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.
Getting your money’s worth
At no other campground do you get anything in return for your investment like Harvest Hosts. For a $20 donation towards products and services, you not only get a boondocking 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!
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 the host sites are not overcrowded. It makes for a nice, large camping space with intimate connections.
We spottted all sorts of farm animals at Fuller Farms, a Harvest Hosts destination in Arkansas. (Photo by L. Belden)
Easy membership
For a set fee each year, you can sign up for the resources. As a member, you have access to wineries, breweries, farms, museums, and entertainment. You can also add golf. Discount memberships are offered throughout the year.
When you log in with your membership, you can request overnight stays through an online system with most hosts or contact them to request a stay via email. You can put in the city where you want to stay, see photos and reviews of the areas, and get specifics on site lengths.
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.
Referral income
You can even offset the annual membership fee by setting up a referral program with Harvest Hosts. They are always looking for new members and new hosts.
Golden Spike Tower Museum in Nebraska is the site where the last railroad spike was driven. (Photo by L. Belden)
Important notes about Harvest Hosts
Overnight camping is free, but a $20 minimum donation/purchase is recommended.
Overnight camping is free; in exchange, it is requested you utilize the host’s service for at least $20. Unfortunately speaking with several hosts, we have found out people are taking advantage of the membership.
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 was OK, they didn’t like wine. The RVer had no intention of meeting the $20 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.
My husband and I enjoyed whiskey and beer tastings at Pine Bluffs Distilling in Wyoming. (Photo by L. Belden)
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 double 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.
Are you a member of this program? Share your stories of this unique RV camping in the comments below, or join the virtual fireside chat via iRV2 Forums, the friendliest online RV forum community where motorhome and travel trailer owners meet to discuss all aspects of RV ownership.
Related articles:
- Harvest Hosts Members Share Their Funniest Camping Stories
- RV Boondocking: 12 Tips for Finding Free Places to Camp
Since 2019 Lucinda Belden has been a full-time RVer and travel writer specializing in topics such as living on the road, working while traveling, RVing with outdoor recreation toys, and discovering unique location experiences. She is also the Program Director for MyRVRadio, a non-stationary radio station for RVers broadcasting news, events, culture, expert advice, humor, and entertainment. As a skilled entrepreneur, promoter and travel industry consultant, she and her husband Will Belden organize national events for the outdoor industry, such as the Direction Wide Open RV & Motorcycle Rally. She draws daily inspiration from the full-time RV lifestyle, motorcycling and world travel expeditions.
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.