We mention Harvest Hosts a lot, but for good reason—our staff loves staying at the incredible, unique, beautiful Harvest Hosts locations around the country.
One of our writers, Cheri Sicard, writes often about her stays at these locations. Here’s her recap of a wine-tasting Harvest Hosts experience in Mendocino County, and another time when she made some adorable alpaca friends.
If you’re unfamiliar with Harvest Hosts, here’s how it works: Pay a one-time annual membership fee (usually $99 but on sale right now for $84.15) and stay at more than 4,500 wineries, breweries, farms, museums, historical sites, and more. What’s in it for you? A free place to stay with absolutely gorgeous views. All the hosts ask is that you purchase something from them—a wine tasting or a bottle of wine, a beer, a jam or jelly or a museum entrance. That’s it! You can click here to learn more.
Yes I am but have never used it. Seems all the ones that I want to stay at are so far off from my route that it’s not worth the extra miles.
I totally agree, Robert. I joined the year before the pandemic and I’ve just never found one that is near our route.
Agree…or if within 15 miles..the route is questionable…15 is really 30 and at 9mpg that’s another 15.00 for fuel at best.
Harvest Host is a wonderful program that offers RV’ers a safe overnight spot. Some offer amenities but it is not the norm. As agreed, as a member, we are expected to partake in the offerings of that particular venue. Some say $20.00 while other say $30.00 dollars. Either is still a great bargain. The negative of HH is all the new RV’ers joining and using the program without fully understanding the program. New users are expecting amenities such as water, electric, etc. Members must remember they are NOT camping. This is an over night program only. Members should read all the rules and benefits of HH and not expect something that is not a part of the program. This will help prevent frustration on the part of the user and the Host. Used within the guidelines of HH, this is a wonderful program and my hope it never goes away. #enjoythejourney
$20-30 would be great but we have not stayed at any establishment where our patronage escaped for that low of a spend. Especially at wineries. Yes, we enjoyed the experience, especially at a winery in OR….but $50-60 would be a more realistic figure in our experience.
Yes, but we use the boondocks side of the site.
yes, but we’ve only used it once
Not a member yet. I’ve read a lot of good things about Harvest Hosts. Probably will join next camping season
Nope. I was hopeful I could find places in the northern half of the country in the late fall or early spring for our semi-annual north <> south migrations. So before joining I specifically asked the question and provided our routing in a general way. The reply was they couldn’t confirm any availability based on season. I would need to join (pay) first before I did my own research and possibly find none. Just like Rv’ing and weather forecasts – you need to know not only what and where, but when.
I LOVE harvests Hosts and have used it a few times. I have NEVER had a bad experience! the first time was a farm half-way to our destination. they even had water, electricity, a fire pit and we were next to a stream! I’ve stayed at a supper club, a distillery, an alpaca farm, and even a maple syrup farm in Iowa (IOWA??? Yeah!)
I don’t use it as often as I want, because I don’t get out as often as I want. but that’s gonna change real soon!
We have considered joining, but as the owner of a 45’ big rig, we fear that it would be too difficult to get in and out, or the space available wouldn’t be enough for us. We do however belong to Boondockers Welcome, and have used that a few times.
Harvest Hosts is two companies in one, Harvest Hosts & Boondockers Welcome. We are members of the Boondockers Welcome portion of the company, but not the Harvest Hosts side of it. We have no desire to stay at wineries, but have used the Boondockers Welcome membership many times. You should have explained both facets of the company & then included the Boondockers Welcome side of it in your survey.
Agree on both your observations. We belong to Boondockers Welcome only and enjoy its’ benefits.
While we have belonged to Harvest Hosts for two or three years we have only overnighted one time at a HH site. It was very nice. We will not be renewing though because for the most part HH requirements that same day stay requests are not allowed at most HH sites does not fit our travel style. We rarely know when or where we will want to stop for the night the day before. For those who really plan every stop ahead of time for trips HH is probably great. It’s a very good program.
We’ve been members for about 4 years (both HH and BW). We have totally enjoyed our experience and have stayed at many wonderful locations throughout the USA!
Agree! Some of the most memorable experiences during our extended travels have been our stays at Harvest Host locations.
So is it a one-time fee or an annual fee? Can’t be both.
It is an annual fee.
I’m a host and have had many guests but haven’t been a guest yet…
I too had a membership for one year as a promotional. The places didn’t fit in with our trip planning and routes….we are also not wine drinkers and didn’t want to have to buy to stay. Will not purchase again.
No, we have Passport America instead. We do a lot of boondocking and dry camping, but not at homes or businesses. Rather spend $20 on a FHU RV park site than $20 on a bottle of wine or a jar of honey!
We currently have a membership since 2021, but most likely will not renew for many of the reasons stated by others. We have used it 3 or 4 times I think maybe 5 but each free stay involved buying something, which is fine..I get the principle. For the most part, we find the locations too far out of our way to take advantage of, and the accomodations, a field or parking lot, not equal to the price of the shopping experience. We did meet a lady who, in her small Scamp, was touring the US using HH…but she had no destination in mind, just wandering…truely! Kudos to her!
We tried it, but found it didn’t work for our lifestyle. We like to stay a few days at a time, and HH is just for overnight. Additionally, most of the time, we found, the places were not in the areas, or way off the beaten path for us. This was a number of years ago, and it does seem like they have made some changes, and additions, but still, don’t think it works for us. I will say tho, that the ones we did use were fun and nice.
We love love love Harvest Hosts and they have even gotten better since joining up with boondockers. We have used them a lot particularly for overnight stays. The people we have met have been wonderful though we have had a couple of problems with other campers taking advantage… running generator all night, coming in after closing. Quite frankly I would rather spend my money to support an American Farmer or vintner than a corporate RV Park. We appreciate leaving the highway and discovering the real America. Lately it seemed that quite a few evangelical type churches have joined as host. I was leery but no problems. Through Harvest Host we have met great people who have shared not only their hospitality and water hose but their own stories as well. Nothing, nothing beats the sound of happy boy talk between my 8 year old city raised grandson and a new friend growing up on a remote ranch. Some days we feel we are on the road with Charles Kuralt without the drama.
No for Harvest Hosts but yes for Passport AMerica and BoonDockers Welcome!
We love HH and have been members for 5 years! We just returned from a two month, 12,000 mile trip and used 30 HH stays during journey. So many unique experiences and interesting people.
We were members for a couple or three years and used the membership three times, all on the same trip. We have not/do not travel where hosts are located, so we let our membership lapse. We host a Boondockers Welcome (BW) site (Davis Farm) and aren’t particularly pleased with the changes Harvest Hosts (HH) introduced after they bought BW. Because we host a site, we get a complimentary membership in BW, but not HH. As is, we have yet to find a BW site compatible with any of our travels, in part because our rig is 36′ in length. We find Cracker Barrel stores much better for us. They are rarely far from our planned path of travel and they are quiet after hours. We also enjoy their food.