📋 What you'll discover
- Compare flat fee vs per night pricing models
- See which platform has better RV locations
- Find out which saves frequent travelers more
- Learn when to use each platform
Comparison Transparency
Smart RV Hub earns a commission on qualifying purchases or subscriptions made through links to Harvest Hosts. We have no affiliate relationship with Hipcamp. This material connection may influence which brand we recommend, though our underlying analysis is based on published specifications and verified user reviews.
Paying $30 to $75 per night at campgrounds adds up fast. A two week RV camping trip can cost $500 or more in camping fees alone.
Both Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp offer alternatives to traditional campgrounds — but one charges a flat annual membership while the other uses per night pricing.
Choosing the wrong platform for your travel style means either overpaying per night on Hipcamp or committing to a Harvest Hosts membership you barely use.
New to the program? Our overview of what Harvest Hosts is covers the basics before the comparison digs in.
This breakdown shows exactly when each one saves you more.
Quick Verdict: Different Models for Different Campers
Harvest Hosts offers strong value for frequent RV travelers. The flat annual membership fee means each additional stay is essentially free — at just 3 stays per year, the membership pays for itself.
Hipcamp is better for occasional campers or those who want multi night stays with hookups, since you only pay when you use it.
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How Do Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp Compare Head to Head?
Harvest Hosts charges one annual fee ($99 to $179) for unlimited stays at wineries, farms, and breweries; Hipcamp charges per night ($30 to $80+) at private land sites with no membership required.
| Feature | Harvest Hosts | Hipcamp | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Flat annual fee | Per night pricing | Harvest Hosts* |
| Number of Locations | 9,700+ (US/Canada) | Thousands (US/International) | Hipcamp |
| Stay Duration | 1 night per location | Multi night available | Hipcamp |
| Hookups Available | No (self contained only) | Varies by listing | Hipcamp |
| Location Types | Wineries, farms, breweries | Private land, farms, cabins | Different |
| Boondocking Included | Yes (Boondockers Welcome) | Some listings | Harvest Hosts |
| Tent Camping | RVs only | RVs, tents, glamping | Hipcamp |
| Best For Frequent Campers | 3+ trips = free stays | Pay each time | Harvest Hosts |
* For RVers who camp 3+ times per year. Occasional campers may prefer pay per night.
Each platform wins on the categories that match its model.
Harvest Hosts membership includes unlimited stays at all 9,700+ locations. See current membership pricing (affiliate link) →
Detailed Breakdown
The three biggest differences are pricing, location types, and stay length, and each one favors a different kind of traveler.
Pricing: Flat Fee vs Per Night
Harvest Hosts
- Flat annual membership fee
- Unlimited stays included in membership
- Boondockers Welcome (with All Access plan)
- Expected to patronize hosts
Hipcamp
- No membership fee
- Pay only when you camp
- $20-$75+ per night typical
- Service fee added to bookings
Bottom line: At 3+ stays per year, the Harvest Hosts membership saves RVers money over paying per night on Hipcamp. At 1-2 stays, Hipcamp's pay per use model costs less since there is no upfront commitment.
The suggested purchase at Harvest Hosts locations (a bottle of wine, some produce) is $30 or more — still far less than a Hipcamp per night fee.
Location Types: Curated vs Marketplace
Harvest Hosts
- Wineries and vineyards
- Farms, ranches, and orchards
- Breweries and distilleries
- Museums and attractions
Hipcamp
- Private campsites and land
- Farms and ranches
- Glamping options
- Cabins and treehouses
Bottom line: Harvest Hosts curates business based host locations — wineries, breweries, golf courses, farms — where you support the local business.
The All Access plan also includes Boondockers Welcome which adds private land parking from individual hosts.
Hipcamp is a separate marketplace where private property owners list their land for RV camping, tent camping, and glamping.
Both offer unique stays on private land you will not find at standard campgrounds.
Stay Duration and Flexibility
This is the biggest difference between the two platforms:
Harvest Hosts: 1 Night
Standard stays are one night per location. Some hosts allow extended stays up to 5 nights at their discretion.
Works best for road trips where you move between locations daily.
Hipcamp: Multi Night
Book for as many nights as the host allows. Some locations offer weekly discounts.
Better for destination camping where you want to stay put and explore an area.
Bottom line: If you travel between Harvest Hosts locations frequently and can dry camp for one night without hookups, HH fits naturally into your itinerary.
If you prefer to settle in one spot for several days, Hipcamp gives you that flexibility with multi night stays on private property.
Who Should Use Each Platform?
Pick Harvest Hosts if you camp three or more times a year in a self contained RV, and pick Hipcamp if you camp occasionally or want multi night stays with hookups.
Choose Harvest Hosts If...
- You camp 3 or more times per year
- You enjoy wineries, farms, and breweries
- Your RV is self contained (no hookups needed)
- You take road trips and move between locations
- You want to reduce campground costs significantly
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Choose Hipcamp If...
- You camp only 1-2 times per year
- You want multi night stays at one location
- You need hookups (water, electric, sewer)
- You camp in tents or want glamping options
- You prefer no upfront commitment
Hipcamp is a solid pay as you go option with unique locations across the US.
Can You Use Both?
Yes — and many RVers do. Think of Hipcamp and Harvest Hosts as different tools for different camping situations:
- Use Harvest Hosts for free overnight stops and boondocking at unique host locations during road trips
- Use Hipcamp when you want to stay multiple nights on private property at a destination
- Harvest Hosts for free camping at wineries, breweries, and golf courses — no per night fees
- Hipcamp when you need hookups, tent camping options, or a place to stay for longer (like an Airbnb for camping)
For even more variety, consider pairing Harvest Hosts with a Thousand Trails membership for hookup equipped parks.
Wondering if the annual fee pays back for your travel frequency? Our Harvest Hosts cost vs savings breakdown shows the break even math for every style of camper.
Ready to add Harvest Hosts to your camping toolkit? Explore membership options (affiliate link) →
Other Camping Options Beyond Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp
Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp are not the only options.
RVers who want free camping can also try boondocking on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, which offers dispersed camping for free across millions of acres in the western US.
Unlike Harvest Hosts, BLM land has zero amenities — no hosts, no businesses, no services. Just open land.
For campers who want unique places to stay with more of an Airbnb style experience, Hipcamp fills that niche nicely. Any private property owner can list their land on the platform.
If private property stays appeal to you, the Boondockers Welcome network inside Harvest Hosts serves a similar need.
Our Harvest Hosts vs Boondockers Welcome guide explains how private host stays differ from the business location network.
But unlike Harvest Hosts, you pay per night at every Hipcamp location — and the service fee adds up.
For RVers who want to dry camp at wineries and breweries while enjoying a wine tasting or craft beer flight, Harvest Hosts occupies a niche of its own.
It is a distinctive RV membership for overnight stops at stunning host locations across the US and Canada.
What members say
The Harvest Hosts app is highly rated on the Apple App Store based on member reviews. Members consistently highlight the unique overnight locations and significant savings compared to per night campground fees.
The flat fee model is the most commonly cited reason for choosing Harvest Hosts over per night platforms like Hipcamp.
Our Assessment
For frequent RV travelers with a self contained RV, Harvest Hosts delivers better value than paying per night on Hipcamp. The flat annual membership fee means your cost per stay drops with every trip.
At 10+ stays per year, each Harvest Hosts stay costs pennies compared to Hipcamp's per night fees at RV parks and campsites.
For a deeper look, read our full Harvest Hosts review.
Decided Harvest Hosts is your pick? Join Harvest Hosts and view current pricing across all three tiers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harvest Hosts or Hipcamp better for RVers?
Harvest Hosts is better for frequent RV travelers because the flat annual fee saves money the more you camp. Hipcamp charges per night, which adds up. However, Hipcamp has a wider variety of locations and allows multi night stays, making it better for occasional trips or longer visits.
Does Hipcamp charge per night?
Yes. Hipcamp uses per night pricing set by individual hosts, typically ranging from $20 to $75 per night depending on location and amenities. There is no membership fee, but each stay is a separate transaction.
Can you use Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp together?
Yes, many RVers use both. Harvest Hosts for free overnight stays during road trips and Hipcamp for longer stays at locations with hookups or when you want to stay multiple nights in one area. The combination gives you maximum flexibility.
Does Hipcamp have wineries and farms like Harvest Hosts?
Hipcamp has some unique properties including farms and rural land, but it focuses more broadly on private campsite rentals. Harvest Hosts specifically curates business locations like wineries, breweries, farms, and museums where overnight parking is part of supporting the business.
How much does Harvest Hosts cost compared to Hipcamp?
Harvest Hosts charges one flat annual fee that starts at $99 a year for unlimited stays. Hipcamp has no membership fee but charges per night, typically $20 to $75 depending on the site. At 3 or more stays a year, the flat fee usually works out cheaper for frequent travelers.
Does Hipcamp allow RVs at every site?
No. Hipcamp lists tent sites, glamping, and cabins as well as RV friendly sites, so you need to filter for RV access and check the size limits. Harvest Hosts is built for RVs only, so every host location accepts a self contained rig.
Can you stay multiple nights with Harvest Hosts?
Harvest Hosts stays are usually one night per location, though some hosts allow up to five nights at their discretion. Hipcamp is designed for multi night stays, so it is the better choice when you want to settle into one spot for several days.
Which platform is better for tent campers?
Hipcamp is the clear choice for tent camping and glamping, since it lists those options across the country. Harvest Hosts is an RV only membership, so it does not support tent stays at host locations.
See all guides in our Harvest Hosts Complete Guide.
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