There has been quite a bit of conversation lately across RV groups and social media about the value of Harvest Hosts. I have been a member for almost five years and booked about a dozen stays in that time, so I thought I would weigh in with my experiences and thoughts. In essence, if you’re looking to save money, Harvest Hosts may not be for you. But if you value experiences over convenience, it can absolutely be worth it.
Pros
- “Free” stays – The program asks that you spend $30 at the host business in exchange for an overnight stay. Most locations make this easy, offering beer, wine, food, or gifts items. The etiquette for locations that don’t offer good for sale such as nonprofits or churches is to make a $30 donation. I have seen some folks balk at spending $30 for a dry campsite, but with planning you are getting $30 worth of something you’d likely buy anyway – and a place to stay. Tip: Harvest Hosts is a great way to stock up on holiday gifts or thank you presents while you travel.
- Great experiences – I’ve stayed in some amazing spots and discovered some great businesses I would not have visited otherwise. I have met some good people and gotten local recommendations on more than one occasion.
- Holiday weekend backup plan – I have used Harvest Hosts multiple times when my travels have spanned holidays and traditional campgrounds were fully booked. A night or two at a local business helps fill in the gaps in high demand times and locations.
Cons
- No site guarantee – You generally know what to expect with a campground because the sites were built for RVs. With Harvest Hosts, RVs are an afterthought to a business plan. I have experienced terrible mud, extremely unlevel parking, and low-hanging trees that could easily scratch a trailer.
- Arrival time restrictions – Many hosts ask you arrive before they close for business – often as early as 5pm. This makes it inconvenient for long travel days.
- Location trade-offs – Although there are some spots near major travel routes, plenty of others are off the beaten path. And those that are convenient, are often in urban areas with traffic and overnight noise. It’s not always the peaceful vineyard sunset you might be picturing.
Farms
As may or may not be obvious from the name of the program, the original concept of Harvests Hosts was to promote agrotourism and bring visitors to farms and wineries in a mutually beneficial connection. The farms tend to be off the beaten path, so I have had to travel pretty far for some of the spots, but some of my favorite travel memories have been in these places. My first Harvest Host stay was on the way to South Dakota and I was hooked! Be aware that some of the farms I have visited have had me park in a field. I haven’t had problems yet, but I know others have gotten stuck and some folks don’t want to go off road with their rigs. Be sure to closely read reviews and instructions.
Breweries
Those who know me know I love my beer. Honestly, I will probably always keep my Harvest Host membership just for the benefit of getting to explore new breweries. Go ahead and try the full flight. There is no need for a designated driver – you are sleeping in the parking lot!
Verdict
In my opinion, Harvest Host is more about the experience than convenience or cost-savings. If you give me a couple beers and advice on a local secret spot, I am going to end up spending way more on to-go growlers than I ever would have on a campsite. If your camping life is mostly quick weekend trips to state parks, with only the occasional long weekend, you may not find the membership worthwhile. But retirees, long-haulers, or anyone who values the journey as much as the destination can absolutely get their money’s worth
Final Tips for Maximizing the Experience
- Thoroughly read the description, reviews, and any subsequent communication. One location sent a very detailed PDF with parking instructions. I have had to pass on a couple spots because the description mentioned livestock guardian dogs and Blue would not be chill with that. I once mis-read a description and rolled in with a 40 foot rig and all they had were standard parking spots.
- While some locations offer hook-ups, most often you will be sleeping in a parking lot. Get familiar with the dry-camping capacity of your rig; know how long your battery lasts and arrive with some fresh water and empty gray/black tanks.
- Be sure to check in with your host and thank them for the stay. Harvest Hosts is an amazing program and we want to be sure it sticks around
A Less In Tents Life 