Helpful Things To Know Before You Join Harvest Hosts

Traveling by RV or van provides a kind of freedom that you won't  get when driving by car. It offers the flexibility to stop and relax, with room to spread out, prepare a meal, or nap. But one question always lingers - where should I sleep at night? Campgrounds and RV parks are great options, with electric, water & sewage hookups, bathhouses, amenities, and opportunities to socialize with like-minded travelers. With more folks hitting the road with campers or RVs, it is often harder to find an overnight spot if you don't reserve in advance. Enter Harvest Hosts, an RV Camping Membership organization boasting locations at over 5,200 U.S. places, including wineries, breweries, farms, and more. With the addition of a fully outfitted and well-traveled Ford Transit van to our family, joining Harvest Hosts for the year seemed like a good idea. It opens up access to a host of unique, private places to spend the night from coast to coast. With 8 stays over the course of the first year, here are a few things to know based on our experiences traveling with a Class B sprinter-type vehicle.  

*Updated October, 2024
*This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase a membership, familyTravelsUSA may receive a small commission. As always, opinions are my own. 

What is the Buzz About Harvest Hosts?

Harvest Hosts joins locally-run businesses and camper van/RV travelers looking for an alternative to a traditional RV park or campground experience.  It offers a nice alternative to consider for exploring off-the-beaten-track places or on a multi-week, cross country road trip. A yearly membership allows unlimited stays at locations across the country. A 24 hour stay is typical at most locations, but they recently announced that certain hosts will now offer up to four extra nights. Use the filter option to find these locations and to determine if extra charges apply.

So what is in it for the hosts? First, they get a new customer base to help support their local business. Additionally, visitors are strongly encouraged to make a purchase during their stay, which may include beer, wine, food, or other locally-produced items. Arrival should be during business hours to check in, meet and talk with the hosts, and have time to enjoy the property. 

While most locations only permit self-contained vehicles, some are now offering water and electric hookups. You can also learn more about the membership level that provides access to dumping station locations.

Stays are based on availability and must be requested in advance. We have made reservations via phone and using both the desktop and mobile app, but found the app is the best way to access the network of locations while traveling. Before you join, it's a good idea to review the list of rules under the Code of Conduct and FAQ’s to know what to expect and find out what is not allowed (like outdoor cooking). 

Where Are the Harvest Hosts Locations?

One look at the Harvest Hosts location map, and you can find locations that span the country. Currently, over 5,200 breweries, wineries, farms, and other places are available to members. My first Harvest Hosts overnight van-adventure was at a farm brewery near Front Royal, Virginia. The location was perfect for our Shenandoah Valley Adventure. We arrived around 4 p.m. and had time to enjoy locally brewed beers and food with a couple who had been traveling in their van for almost two months. They had several wonderful experiences to share from cool and unique Harvest Hosts locations across the country.  

Since that first stay, my husband had the chance to try five additional Harvest Host locations solo, plus two that we stayed at together. The stays ranged from an alpaca farm in Virginia, a family meat farm in West Virginia, and a dog-friendly brewery in Sarasota, Florida. He purchased a few steaks to bring home, two pairs of alpaca socks, and delicious craft beers and ciders. In Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the overnight location was at a park in town. Walking to dinner at a local pizza restaurant and grabbing breakfast at a small coffee shop was definitely a perk! 

So, what are some of the other perks of Harvest Hosts? Catching a peaceful sunrise sky, the comfort of knowing someone is nearby if help is needed, and the chance to stay somewhere unique. It’s perfect if camping at wineries or farm breweries in a van or RV is on your bucket list. A Harvest Hosts membership provides an option for an overnight stay that strikes a good balance between parking in the wilderness and sleeping in a busy campground. Guests will experience meeting new people and seeing awesome places, some otherwise private and inaccessible, and share in their lifestyle and business successes. And staying at a place that offers food is a nice break from preparing meals in the van. Just note that membership is for vans and RVs, and tent camping or sleeping in a car is not permitted.

Other Things to Know About Harvest Hosts

It’s important to know that you may be traveling on narrow country or gravel roads and/or driveways to reach a destination, so figure out those logistics before you book to ensure there are no issues with vehicle size or low clearance. As mentioned above, our stays have all been with a sprinter-size Class B vehicle. Larger RVs may need to consider turning radius, type of parking areas, and leveling issues.  

After reading all this, you may still be wondering, is Harvest Hosts worth it? Based on our experiences so far, we think so. Memberships start at $99 for the Classic Harvest Hosts membership, and you can often find discount codes on the website and social media.  It’s a good deal for one year, especially if you plan to be on the road for a big portion of the year. We also plan on using it to discover new places in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. There are two higher levels of membership, including the All Access which includes access to golf courses and dump stations. Check the website for detailed plan information.  

We are excited to explore more fun and unique locations in the van!