Harvest Hosts Review | Everything You Need To Know

Are you wondering what Harvest Hosts is and if the annual membership is worth it? Well, you’ve come to the right place as I will walk you through everything you need to know about Harvest Hosts. Jake and I have now had our Harvest Hosts membership for 4+ years while living on the road.

If you happen to like any of these attractions: wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, museums, golf courses, or other unique attractions then you are going to want to stick around for this Harvest Hosts review.

While there is an annual membership fee, these accommodations allow you to stay at any of the host’s locations at no additional cost. However, it is highly encouraged to help out the hosting business by purchasing something from their business. Plus most likely you would be spending money on the goods they provide anyway, so it is a win-win.

Let’s dive into all the burning questions you might have in this in-depth Harvest Hosts Review. 

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy.

What Is Harvest Hosts?

Harvest Hosts is a network of wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, museums, golf courses, and other attractions that allows self-contained RVs and campervans to park overnight. The hosts allow you to stay on their property at no additional cost other than the annual membership fee.

This ultimately helps out both you and the business, because they are getting customers and you are getting a place to stay for the night. 

Harvest Hosts Membership Rules & Regulations:

There are a few rules you must follow to become a Harvest Host member. The main rule that Harvest Hosts requires to become a member is your RV or camper van needs to have a toilet, water tank, and inside cooking facilities. Cooking outside your vehicle is prohibited. 

Insurance Requirement:

Additionally, members must possess liability insurance for their RV or Camper Van.

Certain Vehicles & Tents Prohibited:

Host properties do not allow tent camping, including roof-top tents. Pop-up trailers and car dwellers (Prius, trucks, minivans, jeeps, etc) are also prohibited. 

Maximum Stay Limit:

When making a stay request, you are only permitted to stay for one night, unless you directly communicate and obtain approval from the host for an extended duration.

Purchase Requirements/Minimum Spend At Harvest Hosts Locations:

It is common courtesy to spend a minimum of $20 at each business you stay at, but not required. Hosts don’t receive payment for their hosting services, so if they don’t generate sales from Harvest Hosts members, their motivation to accommodate members on their premises declines.

Money-Back Guarantee: 

If you buy a membership and find that it doesn’t suit your needs within 3 months, Harvest Hosts will refund your entire annual membership fee.

Pets Rules:

Most Harvest Hosts locations welcome pets unless the Hosts page specifies otherwise. Feel free to confirm during your stay request to be certain.

Generator Rules:

While generators are usually permitted, it is kindly requested that their usage be kept to a minimum, out of consideration for other guests and hosts.

RV-Hookups:

Some locations offer RV hookups for an additional cost. Information should be listed in the description, but you may need to inquire for more information.

Canceling A Stay & Rules Against No-Shows:

The guideline is to promptly inform the host if you’re unable to reach your Harvest Host location as planned. This proactive communication allows the host to potentially offer the spot to another member in need.

Failing to notify the host and subsequently being a no-show can lead to certain consequences for your membership.

Upon the first instance of a no-show, your membership will receive a 1-star review. In the event of a second no-show, a Representative will contact you to emphasize the importance of notifying hosts to prevent a third occurrence.

If a no-show takes place for the third time, your membership will be suspended without any refund.

If you have any other questions you can always visit the FAQ’s on Harvest Hosts Website. 

Where Can You Stay With Harvest Hosts?

Right now, Harvest Hosts has 5170+ different locations and is continuously growing. Plus 419 more locations if you opt for the golf plan upgrade.

The Harvest Hosts locations are spread all over North America, in various locations around the United States, Canada, and Mexico. So really the options are endless!

But I would say many of the hosts are in more remote areas rather than big cities and towns. 

Two Different Types Of Harvest Hosts Memberships:

There currently are two different memberships you can choose from when purchasing a Harvest Hosts Membership. The most common membership is the Harvest Hosts Classic which allows access to 5170+ different locations. Locations on a classic membership are wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, museums, and other attractions. 

There is also the option to upgrade to Harvest Hosts +Golf, which includes the 5170+ locations plus 419 different golf courses. You also get access to spas, inside the country clubs, and restaurants at some of the golf course locations. 

To enjoy either membership, guests don’t have to drink or golf, as long as guests try to purchase some product the business offers. Some hosts have gift shops or offer food, so it usually isn’t too hard to find something to spend money on. 

Cost Of An Annual Harvest Host Membership?

A Harvest Host membership is an annual membership. It costs $99 per year for a Harvest Hosts Classic Membership and $139 per year for a Harvest Hosts + Golf Membership. But with our coupon code below, you can save 15% (Use code: HHFRIENDS)! 

Travelers can now add even more locations with a Boondockers Welcome Membership. (Read our full review for Boondockers Welcome for all the details).

To Get 15% off your Harvest Hosts annual membership, click the link below and use code HHFRIENDS:

How Does Harvest Host Work?

Once you purchase your membership, we suggest downloading the app right away. You can find the exact location of all the hosts’ accommodations.

Once you click on a host, it will provide you with some photos, how many spaces the location allows, the maximum length of the rig, and if it’s pet-friendly.

Then you will find the name of the host, the address, contact information and/or request form, hours of operation, and website.

Then they will provide you with a brief summary of what the business is and has to offer, along with additional information for either tastings/reservations/tickets, as well as parking info.

Lastly, you can find reviews from other Harvest host members. 

How To Make A Harvest Hosts Reservation?

To secure a spot at a Harvest Hosts location, you need to “reserve” your stay. It’s recommended to make this reservation at least 24 hours beforehand, although some small businesses now allow same-day reservations.

Upon identifying your desired Harvest Hosts location, you can check for their availability. The open dates will be highlighted in bold, while the unavailable dates will be greyed out.

Additionally, many hosts provide an online request form, or you can alternatively reach out to them via phone call, text, or email to inquire about availability. You’ll find all their contact details on their respective page.

While the app holds your membership card, it’s also advisable to have a physical copy printed out.

Once you’ve picked a host location and initiated a stay request, you’ll receive an email confirming the submission of your request. Another follow-up email will arrive when the host approves the request. Subsequently, the host will furnish additional details regarding parking and the check-in procedure.

Upon reaching the host location with the provided information, you can check in with the host and present your membership card. This is an opportune moment to potentially purchase the host’s products, arrange for a tour, or make reservations for their offerings in exchange for a complimentary overnight stay.

Voila, you are helping out the host and they are helping you out with a camping spot for the night.

It’s not just Free after the Annual Membership Fee:

As you’ve probably caught on by now, it’s not just an annual fee, and then the stay is free after that. It’s suggested to spend around $20 at each location. But if you like wine, beer, spirits, or fresh produce and buy it anyway from other locations, then it’s a win-win. Plus you will be helping small unique businesses.

But if you don’t drink, purchasing alcohol from one of these businesses might seem a little silly. You can always buy it for a friend or other family member. Or they often have a gift shop or food options.

For stays at museums, an Alpaca farm, a dairy farm, or other unique attractions, buying an admission ticket is customary. The host will likely assist with ticket purchases when approved for the stay.

Our Experience w/ Harvest Host: 

Overall, Harvest Hosts offers a unique experience to fellow travelers. Jake and I think it is worth the annual fee for a Harvest Hosts membership.

But one thing that is hard for us is knowing where we are going to be even a day in advance. We travel very freely, and sometimes along our route we will find something we didn’t expect and change plans.

So having to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance or sometimes even further in advance due to high demand makes it difficult for us. (UPDATE: they have since added same-day reservations, which we love!)

Ultimately, a Harvest Hosts membership is best suited for weekend warriors, or travelers with a precise plan. People who often pay camping fees at traditional campgrounds or a traditional RV park will find the price of a Harvest Hosts membership to be a great deal.  

We don’t personally spend much money on campsites, but we love breweries and wineries. Therefore, purchasing a wine tasting or local brew from local businesses for a free stay always seems like a win-win.

But in our experience, there are many more wineries than breweries that participate in Harvest Hosts. So we hope more breweries join in the future.

The best part of a Harvest Hosts membership is it leads you to some off-the-beaten-path unique locations.

Personally, we don’t use our membership as much as we would like to. We often strike out by not planning far enough in advance or not finding a Harvest Hosts location nearby.  But we at least find a few places to stay throughout the year, so we still get our money’s worth from the annual membership. 

Another problem we have is we are budget travelers, so we try to keep our spending to a minimum. So when there is a free spot to stay near a HH location, then we can ultimately save money by not staying at a Harvest Host location.

But that is not necessarily a problem for everyone!

We do enjoy helping out small businesses when we can, so sometimes it’s more fun to stay at a Harvest Hosts location instead!

Pros & Cons Of Harvest Hosts:

Takeaway | Harvest Hosts Review:

Harvest Hosts is an awesome program that helps RV’ers and vanlifers find a place to stay for the night. Although Jake and I are savvy in finding most of our camp spots for free, we think this membership is worth it.

A Harvest Hosts stop is great for some areas where free camping isn’t abundant or you want to visit a winery, brewery, museum, etc. anyways. That way it’s an added bonus because you get to stay there for “free”.

Plus, now you don’t have to drive after drinking or have someone be the designated driver!

So if you plan to camp more than 2 or 3 nights out of the year and love wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, museums, other unique attractions, and more, then a Harvest Hosts membership is a no-brainer.

The only reason a Harvest Hosts membership wouldn’t work out for someone is if they only travel in one area and no locations are nearby. 

But HH is always adding new opportunities and can be a great way to make new friends and try new places.

We hope this Harvest Hosts Review helps you decide if an annual membership is best suited for you! 

To Get 15% off your Harvest Hosts annual membership, click the link below and use code HHFRIENDS:

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