Harvest Hosts vs Boondockers Welcome: Which Membership Fits Your Travel Style?
Same company since 2021 — but two very different camping experiences
$169/year unlocks both networks. Pays off in about 3 stays vs roughly $57/night at the average private RV campground (KOA 2024 Camping Report).
Check harvesthosts.com for current new member promotions and discount codes.
See Both Networks From $169/yrAffiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Pricing and membership counts verified April 2026. Check harvesthosts.com for current figures.
📋 What you'll discover
- Understand the 2021 acquisition and what it means
- See the key differences between both networks
- Find which membership tier includes Boondockers Welcome
- Learn which network fits your travel style
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Important: Same Company
Both Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome are part of the same company and the same affiliate program. Smart RV Hub may earn a commission on qualifying memberships purchased through either brand at no extra cost to you.
If you have searched "Harvest Hosts vs Boondockers Welcome," you are probably wondering whether these are two competing services — or the same thing.
New to the concept? Our plain English guide to what Harvest Hosts is covers the basics before diving into the network comparison.
The short answer: Harvest Hosts acquired Boondockers Welcome in 2021.
They are now part of the same company and the same app.
But even though they share a roof, the two networks offer very different overnight experiences — and not every membership tier gives you access to both.
Quick Answer
Harvest Hosts locations are businesses — wineries, breweries, farms, and museums — where you park overnight and support the host by making a purchase.
Boondockers Welcome locations are private homeowners who open their driveway or land to fellow RVers. No purchase required — just good guest etiquette.
Compare Membership TiersAffiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
How Do Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome Compare Head to Head?
Harvest Hosts targets unique business venues (wineries, farms, breweries) while Boondockers Welcome focuses on private property hosts. Both networks are now available in combined Harvest Hosts membership tiers from $169 per year.
| Feature | Harvest Hosts Network | Boondockers Welcome |
|---|---|---|
| Location Type | Businesses (wineries, farms, breweries, museums) | Private homeowners and landowners |
| Number of Locations | 5,905+ business hosts | 3,445+ private hosts |
| Experience Style | Activity based — tastings, farm tours, local shops | Quiet, private — residential driveway or rural land |
| Purchase Expected | Yes — wine, produce, beer, etc. | No — good guest etiquette only |
| Hookups Available | Rarely — self contained RVs only | Occasionally — varies by host |
| Host Interaction | Business staff — often a tasting room or farm stand | Personal — homeowner or fellow RVer |
| Included In | Classic ($99), Classic+BW ($169), All Access ($179) | Classic+BW ($169) and All Access ($179) only |
Want to unlock both networks? See the Classic+BW plan (affiliate link) →
Which Tier Gets You What
Classic — $99/year
Access to the Harvest Hosts business network only.
That is 5,905+ wineries, breweries, farms, and museums across the US and Canada.
Boondockers Welcome is not included at this tier.
Classic+BW — $169/year (Popular Choice)
Unlocks both networks — 5,905+ Harvest Hosts business locations plus 3,445+ Boondockers Welcome private hosts.
That is over 9,350 Classic+BW stops across North America (the All Access tier adds 350 golf courses for a 9,700+ total).
This is the sweet spot for many RVers.
The extra $70 over Classic opens an entirely different style of overnight stay.
All Access — $179/year
Everything in Classic+BW, plus golf courses and additional perks. The price difference from Classic+BW is just $10.
If you are going to upgrade to Classic+BW anyway, All Access is worth the extra $10 for the full network.
What Each Network Is Really Like
Harvest Hosts: Experience-Driven Stays
The Harvest Hosts business network is built around local experiences.
You park at a winery, do a tasting, buy a bottle, and sleep in the parking lot overnight.
Hosts include wineries and vineyards, craft breweries and distilleries, working farms and orchards, and museums and historic attractions.
The stays are social by nature.
You are interacting with a business and its staff.
Best for
- RVers who enjoy local food and drink
- Travelers who want unique roadside experiences
- Road trippers moving location to location
Keep in mind
- A purchase is expected — budget $20-$50
- Self contained RV required — no hookups
- One night stay limit per location
Boondockers Welcome: Private and Quiet Stays
Boondockers Welcome is a different kind of network. Hosts are private homeowners — fellow RVers and outdoor enthusiasts who open their driveway, yard, or rural property to travelers.
The experience is more personal and low key.
You might park in a suburban driveway for a quiet night, or on a rural property with open sky.
No tasting room, no shop — just a peaceful stop.
Best for
- RVers who prioritize privacy and quiet
- Full timers covering long distances
- Travelers who enjoy community connections
Keep in mind
- Hosts choose who they accept
- Location density varies by region
- Requires respectful guest behavior
Which Network Is Right for You?
You'll love Harvest Hosts if...
- You enjoy wine tastings, farm stands, and local breweries
- You want memorable overnight stops with built in activities
- Your RV is fully self contained
- You camp 3 or more times per year and want to cut campground costs
You'll love Boondockers Welcome if...
- You want a quiet overnight stop without a social obligation
- You want a safe driveway or private property in an urban area
- You enjoy connecting with other RVers and like minded hosts
- You travel frequently and want more stop options between campgrounds
Can You Use Both Networks?
Yes — with the right membership tier. The Classic+BW plan ($169/year) unlocks both networks in a single app.
- Use Harvest Hosts locations for experience driven stops — wine country, farm to table orchards, craft beer destinations
- Use Boondockers Welcome when you want a quiet overnight in a residential area or on rural private land
- Mix and match based on your itinerary — both networks appear in the same Harvest Hosts app
For a deeper look at the full platform, read our Harvest Hosts review. If you are new to free camping, our guide to what is boondocking is a good starting point.
Ready to unlock both networks? See Classic+BW membership pricing (affiliate link) →
Our Assessment
For many RVers, the Classic+BW plan at $169/year is the sweet spot. You get over 9,350 locations — business hosts for unique experiences and private hosts for quiet overnight stops — all in one membership.
The base Classic plan at $99/year is worth it if you only care about wineries, farms, and breweries.
But for $70 more, Classic+BW doubles your options and adds an entirely different network of stops.
If you are going the Classic+BW route, the All Access plan at $179/year adds golf courses for just $10 more, making it great value if you want every location available.
Head to our Harvest Hosts hub for a full breakdown of all plan options, or compare every plan side by side in our guide to Harvest Hosts membership tiers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boondockers Welcome still a separate company from Harvest Hosts?
No. Harvest Hosts acquired Boondockers Welcome in 2021. Both networks now operate under the Harvest Hosts brand. You access Boondockers Welcome locations through the Harvest Hosts app and website, depending on your membership tier.
Which Harvest Hosts plan includes Boondockers Welcome?
The Classic+BW plan ($169/year) includes both networks. The All Access plan ($179/year) also includes both, plus golf courses and additional perks. The base Classic plan ($99/year) gives you access to Harvest Hosts business locations only — not Boondockers Welcome.
What is the difference between Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome locations?
Harvest Hosts locations are businesses — wineries, breweries, farms, orchards, and museums — that invite RVers to park overnight while supporting the business. Boondockers Welcome locations are private homeowners who offer their driveway or property to fellow RVers, usually for a night of quiet parking.
Do you need to buy anything at Boondockers Welcome stops?
No. Boondockers Welcome hosts are private individuals, not businesses. There is no purchase expectation. The etiquette is to be a good guest — arrive as agreed, respect the property, and leave a thank you. Harvest Hosts business locations do expect a purchase, such as a bottle of wine or a beer flight.
Related Guides
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Browse all Harvest Hosts guides in our Harvest Hosts hub.