We Slept at Breweries & Farms: Our Honest Harvest Hosts Review

If you’ve spent any time RVing, you’ve probably heard someone rave about Harvest Hosts — the membership program that lets you stay overnight at wineries, farms, breweries, museums, and more.

It sounds almost too good to be true: park for “free” in scenic spots and support small businesses instead of paying campground fees? After using the service across multiple states over several years, I’ve got a lot to say.

Hi! I’m Jamie, and in this Harvest Hosts review, I’ll share what it’s like to use the membership, where we stayed (think alpaca farms, airplane museums, and a Thanksgiving wine party), the pros and cons we’ve encountered, and who I believe will benefit the most.

If you’ve been wondering whether Harvest Hosts is worth it for your RV travels, this post is for you!

What is Harvest Hosts?

Harvest Hosts is a membership program that offers opportunities to stay at unique locations in your self-contained RV.

Harvest Hosts reviews rave about the amazing, unique experiences available.

The membership, which was initially focused on offering stays at wineries, now features several tiers, all of which offer a variety of locations, including farms, museums, breweries, and restaurants across the United States and Canada.

Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll have about 5,000 to 10,000 locations to choose from. 

With Harvest Hosts, you can stay for a night (or up to four additional nights at select locations) and spend your money on purchases instead of paying for a campground site.

So, instead of paying for a campsite, you spend at least $30 a night patronizing the business hosting you.

That could mean buying a bottle or two of wine, enjoying a meal, or visiting the museum and making a purchase in their gift shop. 

When I first joined Harvest Hosts, it had only been around for a few years, and I was grandfathered into a very low membership rate. The program has continued to grow each year. 

Membership Tiers Overview

All Harvest Host tiers include access to stay at various small businesses. Membership also includes discounts and freebies at more than 1,000 “campground partners.” 

Harvest Hosts Classic

As of this writing, the Harvest Hosts Classic tier, which I have used for years, includes 5,501 farms, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and attractions. It also includes 1,279 “campground partners.”

This tier is listed at $99 per year, although deals are periodically available on the website and elsewhere.

My own Harvest Hosts review, therefore, focuses on this tier. 

Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome

Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome is the second tier, which includes all of the Classic features but also adds Boondockers Welcome, a service for RVers hoping to stay on private property with a community host.

Boondockers Welcome is all about community, and while you’re asked to pay for utilities if you plug in, all you’re asked to do otherwise is give your hosts a “genuine thank you” and a great review.

This is listed at $169 per year.   

Harvest Hosts All-Access

Harvest Hosts All-Access is the ultimate tier, adding stays at 369 golf courses and a free Escapees membership ($49.95).

This is listed at $179 per year. 

📋 Tip: If you’re signing up for Harvest Hosts, use code CINDERS20 to save 20% — it’s an easy way to try the membership at a discount.

My Experience with Harvest Hosts

My husband and I purchased Harvest Hosts a couple of years into our travels. We’d been reading great Harvest Hosts reviews from other full-time RVers.

At this point, we were experienced RVers, and we’d grown very comfortable interspersing our campground stays with overnight (usually free) visits to places like welcome centers, Cracker Barrel, and, of course, Walmart. 

We specifically purchased Harvest Hosts because my husband, Ross Malcolm Boyd, had planned some tour dates in the Pacific Northwest for the spring and summer of 2019.

Since that time of year is extremely popular for RVing in that part of the United States, I realized that traditional campsites would be:

1️⃣ Hard to come by.
2️⃣ Out of our price range.

So, ahead of our tour, I purchased a Harvest Hosts membership, hoping it would allow us to explore the Pacific Northwest affordably. 

We plotted a route that took us through parts of New Mexico, much of Colorado, a bit of Wyoming and Idaho, and then spent a lot of time in Oregon and Washington State before cutting across the top of the United States and working our way to visit family and work in New Hampshire. 

We also continued to use Harvest Hosts periodically for the next two years, generally when we were in “driving” mode on our way to our next destination. 

When we first began using Harvest Hosts, there was a bit of a learning curve.

We quickly realized that interacting with people after a day of driving could be too much for my husband. (Nothing like forcing yourself to do a wine tasting when all you want to do is curl up in a ball and sleep, am I right?)

But, for me, after a day or even a few hours of driving, I would be energized and eager to do something fun.

As I planned our routes, I made sure to include activities that I would personally enjoy doing and mentally prepared myself for the possibility of doing them solo. 

Our early visits were to wineries, and we absolutely loved feeling like we stayed for “free” and just got to spend some money supporting a local business. Honestly, we aren’t people who buy a bottle of wine often, but when it was money we’d otherwise spend on a campground, it felt very justified in our budget.

Some of our visits were near tourist attractions or even right within cities in Colorado, like Pueblo, which had an aircraft museum we loved. Others were chosen because they were simply in the general direction we were headed.

At nearly every site we stayed at, we could come and go as we pleased, so we’d do things like park at an alpaca farm, take a tour, and then go out for dinner or find some local ice cream.

I especially focused our efforts on locations that would allow us to stay multiple nights. Although there weren’t many options listed that way on the website or in the app, we got lucky in the wine country outside of Portland, Oregon, and were told we could stay for many extra days AND use their laundry facilities while we were there.

We always made additional purchases if we stayed additional days. 

We were both pleasantly surprised by how effective using Harvest Hosts was during this time.

The most stressful part was around July 4th (Independence Day). Still, even then, with several phone calls (after the Walmart we’d been told was free to park at wasn’t actually allowing RVers), we were able to snag a last-minute campground for the holiday.

We also found a free campground on the Columbia River outside of Portland that we used for a few days. After our final gig wrapped up in Seattle, we made our way East, staying with family (in their house) and parking our RV for free in their neighborhood.

So, while we sometimes stayed at other free sites as well, we relied on Harvest Hosts, especially in the most popular tourist areas.

📋 Signing up for Harvest Hosts? Enter promo code CINDERS20 at checkout for 20% OFF! 📋

Comparing Harvest Hosts to Traditional Campgrounds

One thing that often frustrated us about traditional campground stays was the hours they were available to us.

My husband is a night owl. This meant we’d usually arrive at a campground in the early evening, so we wouldn’t be able to make full use of the time allotted for our stay. Plus, in the morning, we’d struggle to check out by 10 or 11 a.m.

He’d still be exhausted, but we felt like we had to leave to avoid the fee.

Every once in a while, we’d hit a state park that let us stay until 12 p.m., but they were few and far between.

When we learned that Harvest Hosts generally allowed for 24-hour stays, that was a game-changer for us because it allowed us to be very flexible in our planning.

Since then, Harvest Hosts has asked their hosts to clarify the hours for arrival and checkout, and it’s less common for them to allow a full 24 hours. But it’s still the case that if you shop around, you’ll find many campgrounds with much more flexible hours than a campground. And that’s a great thing! 

The key difference with Harvest Hosts is that they don’t act like traditional campgrounds in most places.

You’re parking in a driveway or on the grass, and you won’t have hookups or access to bathroom facilities.

You’re expected to do your own thing, respect their space, and know they’re a business. In return, you get to stay in an unusual setting (often a really beautiful one) and put your money towards fun stuff instead of paying for a place to park. 

It feels more like parking at a Walmart than being at a campground. And if that works for you and your rig, it can be awesome.

NOTE: I’d say, if you have pets or children, think more carefully about what type of Harvest Hosts visits would make sense for you.

Some places are pet-friendly, but some aren’t. And some are kid-friendly, like that alpaca farm or a zoo, but if your kids need more obvious entertainment or space to run around, you are probably better off at a campground. 

Wherever you stay, at a traditional campground or a particular Harvest Host, be sure to read all the fine print before you come!

Ignorance isn’t an excuse; knowing what you’re getting into will make your stay much more comfortable.

One example? When we stayed at a zoo in New Mexico, they warned us that we’d be locked into the parking lot at 6 p.m. and wouldn’t be able to leave until mid-morning the next day.

Since we knew about it, we couldn’t care less. But if we’d missed the fine print and made dinner plans, that would have been a big problem!

Benefits of Using Harvest Hosts

Harvest Hosts is such a fun and unique way to explore and travel!

Unique Overnight Stays

The major attraction of Harvest Hosts sites is their uniqueness. This also meant we could stay in areas without campgrounds or that didn’t have campgrounds we could afford. 

If we hadn’t been using Harvest Hosts, we wouldn’t have visited the ocean in Oregon or discovered how fantastic the wine is in the hills outside of Portland. We wouldn’t have stayed with alpacas or supported tons of local businesses, from wineries to farms to local artists and authors. 

Later in our travels, I wouldn’t have had the chance to sample homemade grape ice cream or visit a zoo with a variety of “big cats,” and my husband would have missed a great local brewery while I spent time with my family.

And perhaps most memorable would be that without Harvest Hosts, we wouldn’t have landed at a winery in the midst of their annual Thanksgiving holiday celebrations.

They invited us to join them, and in addition to paying a little extra for hookups, we had a wildly memorable wine tasting (where the woman pouring was already tipsy!), followed by live music and an outstanding buffet (and more wine!) at their holiday party, where we made friends and enjoyed the atmosphere. 

Harvest Hosts really added to the memories we made during our RV travels. And especially when you’re in “go” mode, trying to move quickly and focusing on the distance traveled, it’s really special to find great places to make memories along the way instead of just “eat, drive, sleep” being the focus. 

Supporting Local Businesses

It’s so satisfying to support local businesses. Not only do you get to experience some of the local culture, but you also get to know that your dollars are going directly to a small business offering the type of thing you’re interested in.

We still cherish some of the handmade items we’ve picked up along the way, like our alpaca wool hats, and talk about some of the wine, ice cream, and charcuterie we’ve enjoyed.

Harvest Hosts helps you discover hidden gems that may not make the “must-do” lists but are still worth a stop. 

Trip Planning with the App

You can plan your trip on their website or the Harvest Hosts app.

It’s a convenient way to see which locations are on your route, check out their amenities, and book your stay. Some even accept bookings the day of, though I always tried to book at least a few days in advance, depending on how flexible I was for that day. 

The app works well overall (as does the website) and is a nice tool. 

🎉 Ready to try Harvest Hosts? Enter promo code CINDERS20 at checkout for 20% OFF!

Limitations of Harvest Hosts

There are, of course, some limitations of Harvest Hosts:

One-Night Stay Limitations

Traditionally, Harvest Hosts offers you unlimited one-night stays at a location of your choice.

But, many hosts are happy to accommodate you for an additional night, and some sites allow up to five nights at their location. 

Because most locations only allow a one-night stay, this program is best for travelers who are just passing through.

However, as I’ve mentioned, you’ll find some places are happy to have your business for longer. Consider it a nice bonus, but be aware that, generally speaking, you might need to book a campground instead if you want to stay for more than one night. 

Requirement to Arrive During Business Hours

If you’re the kind of RVer who tends to stop driving by mid-afternoon, Harvest Hosts is perfect for you!

On the other hand, if you tend to pull in at 10 p.m., this won’t be the program for you. 

It’s a requirement to arrive during business hours, for obvious reasons. How else can you patronize the business you’re visiting?

Every once in a blue moon, you’ll encounter a host who lists a policy allowing a later arrival. If you do, know that you’ll need to stay in the morning until they’re open so that you can purchase something from them. 

Lack of Amenities

You won’t have any of the usual amenities at Harvest Hosts sites. You’re expected to be self-contained, so you won’t have bathrooms or showers, not to mention extras like hookups (with some exceptions where you pay extra) or fancier amenities like a pool or laundry facilities. 

On the other hand, most campgrounds can’t compete with Harvest Hosts for a unique experience!

Booking Challenges

We came across a few challenges while booking with Harvest Hosts:

Popularity of Certain Hosts

Flexibility is key when you’re planning these types of stays. Some sites will be very popular and may not have room for you, so it’s always best to have a backup plan or two lined up. 

Communication Difficulties

While most hosts use the booking platform, some require a phone call.

Sometimes, people will never get back to you.

Again, go with the flow, let it go, and move on if you don’t hear from them.

Don’t badmouth the business—just move on. It isn’t a campground and is probably busy with other responsibilities.

Also, although it’s rare, you may sometimes see something posted that turns out to be incorrect.

If this happens, I recommend leaving a review for other Harvest Hosts members and contacting Harvest Hosts if there’s a problem. 

Who Benefits Most from Harvest Hosts?

These are the RVer types who would benefit the most from a Harvest Hosts membership:

RVers with Flexible Itineraries

My husband and I made the best use of Harvest Hosts when we had a flexible itinerary.

For instance, when we had to be at “X” location by “X” day, but were otherwise very flexible about what things looked like along the way.

Some days, I wanted to leave the site and visit a nearby community, but most of the time, I’d make the Harvest Hosts location my destination for the night. 

Enthusiasts of Unique Experiences

If you love having unique adventures, meeting new people, having great conversations, and supporting local businesses, Harvest Hosts is for you.

I’ve indulged in local cheeses, produce, and baked goods at a local farm and had so many delicious bottles of wine in my travels.

I’ve spent time with alpacas and coyotes, crashed an employee party, slept on the grounds of an old Abbey, and slept outside an airplane hangar. 

If you’re also an enthusiast of unique experiences, there’s just nothing like Harvest Hosts. 

Conclusion: Is Harvest Hosts Right For You?

Do you enjoy staying at off-the-beaten-path locations? Do you have flexibility in your travel plans? Do you have a self-contained RV? 

If all that is true for you, and you have a little extra money to spend on a membership, I highly recommend a Harvest Hosts membership.

In fact, I still have my grandfathered-in Harvest Hosts membership because I know I’ll be using it as soon as I buy my next RV. 

Which Tier is For You?

💎 If you’re a golfer (or your travel partner is), I’d recommend the top Harvest Hosts All Access tier.
💎 The second Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome tier could be worth it if you love the idea of getting to know local hosts and staying on their property. Or if you realize those additional sites would be helpful in your travel plans.
💎 However, given the close pricing, I recommend either choosing the Harvest Hosts Classic option or upgrading to the top-tier Harvest Hosts All Access. 

Hope you enjoyed my Harvest Hosts review. It’s a wonderful program!

If you’re curious to try Harvest Hosts, I highly recommend it — especially if you use the 20% off promo code CINDERS20 to make your first year even more affordable! 🥳

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