What Is Harvest Hosts? A Beginner's Guide to Unique RV Camping
By Smart RV Hub Team · Updated March 2026 · 5 min read
📋 What you'll discover
- What Harvest Hosts is and how the membership works
- How it differs from a campground
- The three membership tiers and what each includes
- What to expect on your first stay
- Who it's a great fit for, and who should skip it
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What Is Harvest Hosts?
Harvest Hosts is an annual membership program that gives self contained RVers overnight access to more than 5,900 unique locations across the US and Canada.
Instead of a campground, you park at a working winery, a family farm, a craft brewery, a museum, or a golf course, for free, with no hookups.
In exchange, you support the host's business by purchasing something during your stay.
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How Does Harvest Hosts Differ from a Traditional Campground?
Harvest Hosts is a single night, no hookup, annual membership network at small business venues; traditional campgrounds offer multi night stays with hookups for a per night fee. Different model, different use case.
Harvest Hosts is not a campground network.
The difference matters.
Traditional Campground
Electric, water, and sewer hookups available.
Designated sites, often with neighbors close by.
Fees per night, typically $35 to $80+.
Harvest Hosts
No hookups, no nightly fees, no campground infrastructure.
You park at a private business, enjoy the surroundings, and buy something from the host.
If your RV needs shore power to run, Harvest Hosts is not a good fit.
Weighing Harvest Hosts against other unique camping platforms? Our Harvest Hosts vs Hipcamp comparison breaks down when each model saves you more.
You need to be fully self contained: battery power, fresh water onboard, and holding tanks with room for the night.
Not sure if your rig qualifies?
Our RV classes explained guide covers which types are typically self contained.
Types of Locations
The variety is one of the program's biggest selling points.
Wineries and Breweries
The program's roots.
Wake up surrounded by vineyards or hop fields.
Buy a bottle or a six pack and call it a win.
Farms and Orchards
Pick-your-own farms, lavender fields, Christmas tree farms, and working ranches.
A genuinely different experience from pavement campgrounds.
Museums, Golf Courses, and Attractions
Some of the most memorable spots in the network.
Antique car museums, hot air balloon operators, living history farms.
Boondockers Welcome
Private driveways and properties offered by fellow RVers.
Access is included in the Classic + Boondockers Welcome plan ($169/yr) and the All-Access plan ($179/yr).
See our Harvest Hosts vs Boondockers Welcome comparison for a full breakdown.
Membership Tiers
Harvest Hosts offers three annual membership tiers.
Prices are as of early 2026, so check the current pricing on their site. If you are signing up soon, our Harvest Hosts discount code page tracks current savings available at checkout.
Classic
$99/yrAccess to 5,900+ Harvest Hosts locations: wineries, farms, breweries, museums, and attractions. One vehicle per membership.
Classic + Boondockers Welcome
$169/yrEverything in Classic plus access to the Boondockers Welcome network of private driveways and RVer hosted properties.
All-Access
$179/yrFull access to both networks, two vehicle coverage, and early access to new host locations. Best value if you travel with two rigs or have a toad.
Most solo travelers and couples start with Classic.
Upgrade to All-Access if you want the Boondockers Welcome network or travel with two vehicles.
Not sure which tier makes sense for your travel style?
Read our guide on whether Harvest Hosts is worth it.
What to Expect on Your First Stay
Find a host in the app. Search by location, type, or amenities. Read reviews from other members before booking.
Contact the host directly. Some hosts require advance booking; others are first come, first served. Always confirm before you drive in.
Arrive self contained. Full fresh water tank, charged batteries, and room in your holding tanks. There are no hookups on site.
Buy something from the host. This is the unwritten rule that keeps the program working for everyone. A $15 purchase for a free overnight is an excellent deal.
Leave by checkout time. Most hosts ask you to be gone by 10 to 11 am. Respect that, as it keeps hosts happy and the program alive.
Planning a route between multiple hosts? A good RV trip planning app makes it easy to map Harvest Hosts stops along your route.
Ready to sign up? Our full breakdown of Harvest Hosts membership tiers and pricing walks through each plan and how to join.
Who Should Join, and Who Should Skip It
Great fit if you...
- Have a self contained RV with battery power and holding tanks
- Travel at least 10 to 15 nights per year
- Enjoy unique, off the beaten path experiences
- Want to break up drives with interesting overnight stops
- Already boondock and want more location variety
Skip it if you...
- Need hookups every night to run your rig
- Only camp at one or two fixed destinations per year
- Prefer full service campgrounds with amenities and activities
- Camp in a tent (membership is for self contained vehicles only)
Ready to Try Harvest Hosts?
A Classic membership pays for itself in two overnights.
Check our Harvest Hosts discount code page for the latest deals before you sign up.
Affiliate Disclosure
This page contains affiliate links.
When you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
This helps support our free calculators, guides, and research tools. Read our full disclosure
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Related Guides
Harvest Hosts Hub
All our Harvest Hosts guides in one place.
Harvest Hosts Review
Is the membership worth it? Our honest take.
What Is Boondocking?
Free camping on public land: the complete beginner guide.
Harvest Hosts vs Thousand Trails
Unique winery stays compared to full hookup RV parks.
Free RV Overnight Parking
Where to park overnight for free across the US.
FAQ
Do you need hookups for Harvest Hosts stays?
No. All Harvest Hosts locations are hookup free.
You must be self contained, meaning your RV has its own fresh water, battery power, and waste tanks.
Is there a limit on how long you can stay at a Harvest Hosts location?
Most hosts allow one night. Some allow two.
Always check the individual listing and confirm with the host before you arrive.
Do you have to buy something at every host location?
Yes. The program runs on goodwill: you stay for free in exchange for supporting the business.
Buy a bottle of wine, pick up some farm produce, or grab a pint at the brewery.
Can you use Harvest Hosts in a van or truck camper?
Yes, as long as your vehicle is self contained. Tent campers are not eligible: the membership is for RVs, vans, and truck campers with onboard sleeping and waste systems.
Browse all Harvest Hosts guides in our Harvest Hosts hub.