Is Harvest Host Worth It in 2023? (Yup, Here’s Why)

Are you looking for a special RV camping experience with your family? Maybe you’re looking for somewhere you can enjoy the peace and beauty of nature without any disturbances, like on a vineyard or a farm. The traditional campgrounds may not offer the right environment you want, but is Harvest Host worth it, and is what you’re looking for?

Today, we are sharing with you what Harvest Host is and if the USD $99 yearly membership is worth it. Our short answer is:

You bet it is!

For our first experience with Harvest Host, we stayed on a bison farm in Southern Idaho. It really was a lot of fun. It was the perfect place for our family. We learned about bison; we went on a field tour to meet the herd of bison (and to pet them).

With over a million Americans living in RVs, many of the camping grounds will remain crowded in the right season. This is where Harvest Hosts can be the perfect way to look for the best options. With a wide range of wineries, farms, museums, breweries, and restaurants to choose from, you can camp at special locations across the country.

So, is a Harvest Hosts membership worth it?

Disclaimer: Just a heads up, this free article contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your support helps me continue to provide helpful and free content for you.

🚗 Want to try van/RV live? You can rent an RV or a campervan to see if you like it before investing in one. Check out Outdoorsy or Escape Campervans. They have many options in North America.

What is Harvest Host?

Harvest Host is a membership program for unique RV overnight stays. It allows self-contained RVers to access a large database of over 3100 hosts spread across the US and Canada. At the moment, there are most Harvest Host locations in the United States, but it’s slowly growing in Canada.

📝 Note: A self-contained RV is a vehicle that can function without outside resources. This mainly means you do not require toilet facilities when you park overnight somewhere.

Hosts vary from wineries to breweries, museums, farms, and so many more. They allow you for overnight camping stays on their property for free.

Since you don’t need to pay any campground fees, it’s suggested that you help out the local business by making some purchases from them. Harvest Hosts suggests minimum spending of $20 to support these small businesses and show your appreciation.

That’s a great way to support a small local business and make a positive impact on the community in return. Interacting with the hosts and experiencing their business setting is a major aspect of the entire program.

You could, for example, buy a bottle of wine or a wine-tasting tour at a winery in exchange for an overnight stay at a farm and museums.

There is also good news for golf lovers, where they can have access to more than 400 golf courses. Imagine you’re playing a round of golf and then can enjoy the sunset right by the course in your RV.

It’s a Win-Win for Hosts and Guests

By allowing visitors to camp on their property, the hosts get a marketing opportunity for free. On the other hand, you can get access to some unique destinations that are far beyond the traditional camping spots.

Since popular campgrounds can get loud and crowded, you can enjoy seclusion and serenity in these spots.

This is actually one thing that most RVers like about Harvest Hosts. You can spend quality time in some idyllic, relaxing locations and support the local businesses as well.

Who Can Be a Harvest Hosts Member?

All classes of RVs, including motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth-wheel trailers, are allowed. You can also use Harvest Hosts if you’re using a rental RV.

But there is a code of conduct that you need to follow. All vehicles must be fully self-contained with an interior toilet and built-in holding tanks.

The use of outdoor cooking facilities and dumping of greywater on the guest’s premises is prohibited.

Since many of the hosts are wineries, farms, or museums, they can’t offer traditional camping infrastructure like electricity, water, and sewer hookups. Some of the hosts may offer electricity and water, but it is not all will.

Also, the use of folding camping trailers or pop-up campers is not allowed. Sleeping in cars, minivans, or pitching a tent is prohibited too, but self-contained converted vans are allowed.

How Harvest Host Works?

Harvest Hosts offers two types of membership. The Classic membership costs USD $99 per year, and you can do unlimited stays. This offers you access to around 2697 locations.

To get access to the entire host database, including the Gold membership, the fee is USD $139 per year. With this membership, you’ll have access to all the 400+ golf courses.

In addition, Harvest Hosts also offer 100% money back within 3 months if you are not satisfied with the program.

There is a Member Success Team to assist you at any point. You can also get additional discounts and savings amounting to USD $700.

You may also want to check out Welcome Boondockers if you wish to stay on someone’s private property.

Signing Up

The sign-up process is super simple. Once you pay your membership, you automatically have access to the online hosts’ directory. Both the app and the website are well-designed and easy to use. By using the app, you can easily manage the account from your phone.

You can access the information page of each host to learn the details and match them with your travel requirements. The information is accessible only to the members to protect the privacy of the hosts.

The membership dashboard also allows you to take the following actions:

• Download the Harvest Hosts membership card and a separate vehicle badge.
• Search hosts by using an interactive host map based on your preferences of location, state, or route.
• Check the host’s calendar through the Request-A-Stay system and request a booking.
• View your Harvest Hosts account and make the necessary changes.
• Create trips and save your favorite hosts.
• Upload your own host reviews and photos to help out other members.

The program is for overnight camping, and the maximum staying time is 24 hours. Extension requests are not encouraged, and staying for additional nights is solely based on the discretion of the host.

However, many members have reported that their hosts were happy to allow them to extend their stay.

Searching for Your First Stay

Once you get your yearly membership, you can easily access the Harvest Host’s website or the mobile app and start searching for your stay.

There is an online Directory of Hosts that will allow you to find out the details necessary to plan your trip. Each host has its own information page that gives you a description of the property, hours of operation, contact information, social media pages, amenities available, photos, and reviews.

If you plan on mixing Harvest Hosts with National and State/Provincial campgrounds, make sure to book your National/State campgrounds first, as they fill up pretty quickly.

🏕️ Sign up for Harvest Host now.

Is Harvest Hosts Worth It? 6 Benefits to Harvest Host

1. It’s Flexible

One of the best aspects of Harvest Hosts is the flexibility of the program, that can benefit a wide range of travelers. For RVers, it’s a great way to find out more about a unique business and about the history of the community.

Besides, you can choose your locations as per your preferences. There are hosts along the highways and off the beaten track as well. Moreover, you don’t need to make bookings months in advance. You can make reservations at least 24 hours in advance.

If you’re driving cross country, there are some convenient locations where you can spend the nights. With around 927 farms listed as hosts at the moment, there are some excellent locations for nature lovers too.

Apart from enjoying the excellent locations, you also get to experience the product offerings of the host. And in most cases, you will end up loving the products that are on sale.

It’s important to know that Harvest Hosts isn’t just about wineries and breweries. Even if you aren’t a wine drinker, there are plenty of museums, farms, country clubs, and golf courses to choose from. We, for example, stayed on a bison farm in Idaho.

2. It Offers Unique Locations

Want a camping experience away from the usual hustle and bustle? Then Harvest Hosts is an excellent option.

From vineyards to mountain vistas, there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you want a great view or a peaceful camping experience under the stars, the campgrounds are some of the bests you will see.

Obviously, not all the host sites have breathtaking scenery. But you might be the only camper on the property without any other camper crowding on you. Moreover, every host offers a unique experience, and you get an extensive tour of the property. That allows you to learn about a variety of new things.

The warmth and friendliness of the hosts are other aspects that add to the joy of camping. At the same time, you might meet up with other Harvey Hosts members and share your RVing experience.

Imagine a property spreading across 200 acres and offering activities like a swimming pond, hiking, fishing, and more.

Still not convinced?

What about skydiving or exploring a missile silo?

Overall, the Harvest Hosts membership is a great way to discover special places that you never knew about.

🏕️ Sign up for Harvest Host now.

3. It Supports Local Businesses

If you feel supporting a local business is a better way to spend your money than paying camping ground fees, Harvest Hosts is the right choice for you. Plenty of travelers stock up on supplies from the farms they stay on instead of visiting a grocery store. Others pick up wines or woolen products from the farms.

The fact is many small and medium-sized businesses were hit hard by the pandemic. By choosing their products, you can help them to revive.

Consider this- in 2020, the Harvest Hosts members spent around $25 million to support the hosts’ businesses. With the popularity of the RV lifestyle rising after the pandemic, the figure is likely to go up in the current year.

Also, this is one reason that Harvest Hosts has low membership costs. It wants to encourage the members to spend more on local businesses. With the number of RV lovers rising fast, it’s no wonder that its members have significant buying power.

4. It’s Kid (and Pet) Friendly

As we all know, kids can be loud, and they need to run around to burn off excess energy. By choosing the right hosts, you can select places that offer the right range of activities for the kids. Hosts who offer vineyard trips, hiking trails, play areas, and hayrides can be a great choice.

Traveling with kids? Check out the post we wrote about our experience on a bison farm in Idaho using Harvest Host.

Check the “amenities” section of the guest listings to find out more about the offerings. In addition, you can also read reviews from other visitors. Besides, your kids can learn new things during the trip. All in all, Harvest Hosts can offer some great options for traveling with kids.

Since most of the hosts are pet-friendly, pet parents will have no problems either. The host’s page has a special “pets allowed “filter for searching. In addition, many hosts also mark their page with a “pets welcome” sign.

It’s best to keep your pet on a leash during camping. Since many farms have working animals, ask the owner about what’s best for your pet. Also, you’re expected to clean up after your pets.

5. It’s Affordable

Considering the huge range of camping options that you get for $99 per year, the membership plan is an affordable option. What’s more, you also get access to various discounts for other RV-related products.

When you consider the average cost of private campsites, you’ll see that the membership pays for itself quickly. At the same time, you get unlimited access to all the locations across the year. If you love heading out on your RV frequently, it’s a real value-for-money option.

Can you believe that we paid USD $130 for one night in a campground in Camel-by-the-Sea during our trip to California? It was pretty and clean, but $130. That’s a lot of money.

That said, you will have to spend some amount to buy products from the hosts. But when it comes to items like wine, beer, or fresh produce, you will buy them anyway. With Harvest Hosts, it’s a win-win for both parties.

6. There Are Lots of Locations

At present, Harvest Hosts have over 3111 hosts spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico as well. And the numbers are growing continuously.

While the exact locations of the hosts are not available unless you sign up, you can check their location map to get an idea. No matter which states you want to travel to, you will surely find some great hosts to choose from.

🏕️ Sign up for Harvest Host now.

Harvest Host Review

We love using Harvest Hosts for our farm stays with the kids! It’s been an incredible experience. From the beautiful locations to the unique activities available that are kid-friendly, it’s like no other vacation we’ve ever taken.

We especially appreciate how fast, user-friendly, and streamlined the platform is when booking a stay.

The customer service staff are always so helpful and accommodating as well.

Plus, many options are available, especially for families, from museums to wineries and breweries and more!

And, of course, we enjoy spending a lot with animals, learning about farming and agricultural practices, savoring delicious locally-grown meals, and experiencing genuinely unforgettable moments in nature with our family.

Especially during our stay at the bison farm in Idaho, we got a chance to experience the wagon rides and explore bison fields. It was an unforgettable family trip and one that we will cherish for many years to come!

Harvest Hosts has been a great way to take a fun and educational vacation for everyone!

🏕️ Sign up for Harvest Host now.

FAQ: Is Harvest Host Worth It in 2023?

How much does it cost to stay at Harvest Host locations?

Harvest Hosts offers a free overnight stay for members. An annual membership fee of $99 is required to take advantage of this benefit.

How long can you stay at Harvest Host locations?

The length of stay at a Harvest Host location varies depending on the host, but in most cases, visits are limited to 24 hours. Some hosts may allow longer stays if there is availability and the guest has made arrangements with them directly.

How many locations does the harvest host have?

Harvest Host has more than 4469+ locations. Harvest Host has locations in all 50 US states, 9 Canadian provinces, and 7 other countries.

How many harvest hosts are in Florida?

The total number of harvest hosts in Florida is 265+ hosts. This number is growing as more people join the Harvest Hosts community and take advantage of their unique service, allowing RVers to experience a different camping side by staying at unique locations like farms, wineries, museums, and other attractions.

Is Harvest Hosts worth it in Canada?

Yes, Harvest Hosts is worth it in Canada. With more than 4890 hosts in Canada, including Mexico, travelers can access various unique camping experiences for an affordable fee, including wineries, farms, breweries, and even Museums.

Final Thoughts: Is Harvest Host Worth It?

So, is Harvest Hosts worth it in 2023?

Absolutely!

With thousands of free overnight locations and each one having its own distinct features and flavors, it’s a great resource for travelers. Add to that the fantastic experiences and an atmosphere that’s far more peaceful than a noisy campsite.

While it offers only an overnight stay, the overall experience you get is much more than that. It helps you to head off the beaten track and create lasting memories that will make your trips even more memorable.

No wonder most RVers love using Harvest Hosts for planning their trips.

And considering the price, it’s an excellent deal that an adventurous RVer can hardly refuse.

It’s time for you to sign up and get started with it. 🙂

Disclaimer: Just a heads up, this free article contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your support helps me continue to provide helpful and free content for you.

Related Articles

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like to read the following articles:

• Boondockers Welcome vs. Harvest Hosts: Which Is Best (2023)?
• The Best Camping Apps for the Entire Family