How Harvest Hosts Is Becoming the New Standard of the Camping Industry

Harvest Hosts is the 70th fastest-growing private company in the United States and number one in the travel and hospitality category, according to Inc. Magazine. This unique business has clearly figured something out and captured the attention of RVers all over North America in the process.

But what is it? What does Harvest Hosts know and do for campers that no one else does?

What is Harvest Hosts?

Harvest Hosts is a membership program that invites self-contained RVers to enjoy unique overnight stays outside of traditional campgrounds. (Think wineries, golf courses, farms, etc.)

But this alone doesn’t explain their success. The real key is what they’ve discovered about North America and its changing economy — namely, that today’s “share economy” is defined by support, not exploitation.

In a recent piece, Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts, said, “Our mission is to help millions of people live happier lives through road travel, while supporting wonderful small businesses and communities along the way.”

In other words, today’s economy is about elevating everyone to new levels of success and happiness, about creating memories and community. With this mindset, Harvest Host has created a new standard of RV living.

How Is Harvest Hosts Creating a New Standard in the RV World?

It isn’t just one thing. It's the way everything inside the Harvest Hosts ecosystem works together—creating “bucket list” experiences for their members, driving traffic to small businesses, and collaborating with outdoor industry leaders.

Let’s take a look at Harvest Hosts' impact on their RVing members as well as small businesses across North America. Here‘s what it cooperation (and competition) with other outdoor industry leaders looks like.

Harvest Hosts is Helping Millions Live Happier

Every RVer I know is looking to do three things:

Make more memories
Save some money
Stay on the road longer

Harvest Hosts delivers on all three of these goals for their members. When you sign up to become a Harvest Hosts member, you join thousands of other RVers in experiencing memorable, scenic overnight stays in more than 3,954+ extraordinary locations across North America. The best part is that members are able to stay at any of the stunning locations with no camping fees. (It’s all included in your annual membership.)

Members get to trade in the boring parking lot experience for something that makes an impression, and memories that will last forever. Harvest Hosts members get all of this for the same cost as 2-4 normal campground stays (depending on your membership selection).

All of this means more memories made for less money, allowing members to stay on the road longer than ever.

Families Are Being Served with New, Unique Experiences

Harvest Hosts is doing a huge service to the family unit, and parents are recognizing the value in it. It’s no secret that technology is creeping into every aspect of society. And while technology is a fantastic thing, families still need to connect in other ways. Harvest Hosts locations offer experiences that can trump even iPad time.

Parents are realizing the value of shared experiences that don’t break the bank, even as inflation continues to skyrocket. Why pay for multiple campsites throughout the year when you can pay for one membership and stay as many places as you wish?

Harvest Hosts is Supporting Small Businesses

The United States—and really North America—was built on the innovation of small businesses. The creativity of human beings is remarkable, and Harvest Hosts has figured out a way to tap into it. By connecting with over 7,000 small businesses, Harvest Hosts has created a network of places for RVers to camp. It doesn’t cost the small business or Harvest Hosts anything for a self-contained RV to stay, but it brings thousands of people to those small businesses.

These amazing small businesses—and the surrounding towns—have seen a growth in traffic and income because of the Harvest Hosts members. Harvest Hosts is anticipating that 40 million dollars will be spent in 2022 at these small businesses and nonprofits.

From my experience, a lot of these small businesses are off the beaten path, in small towns I’ve never heard of, and in need of some more attention. My wife and I have found some of our favorite places because of Harvest Hosts. I found my favorite coffee shop, and my wife found her favorite winery. And we’ve discovered the wonder of Alpaca-made products!

Being a Host Doesn’t Cost a Thing

You might think Harvest Hosts would charge a nominal fee for its free publicity and marketing, but they don’t. And they don’t take a cut of money spent from Harvest Hosts members either. So the previously mentioned 40 million dollars is free and clear to those small businesses. There aren’t any strings attached to that money except to be a good host. Many hosts have seen increases from 10,000 to 30,000 dollars per year in revenue.

Different non-profits have decided to join the efforts too. Harvest Hosts looked toward industries hurting during the pandemic and figured out ways to help. Churches have seen an increase in donations, restaurants an increase in sales, and many others are seeing the advantage to being a host.

How Do Harvest Hosts Members Sign Up and Use Their Membership?

So, how does this actually work? Signing up and using your membership is incredibly simple. Harvest Hosts has a great website. And their app is simple and easy to use too.

Membership Overview

Getting from here to there doesn’t have to be boring anymore. I find myself planning my destination around the journey now. You can create an entire trip of “bucket list” experiences with Harvest Hosts alone!

Stay on an Alpaca farm, tour a region of wineries, sleep in a lavender farm, visit a brewery, learn about different farming practices, and so much more. Harvest Hosts makes it easy for members to be on the road and make memories in the process.

Signing Up

Simply go to the main Harvest Hosts site, click “join now” (located in the navigation bar at the top right part of the page), and follow the prompts. In 3 to 5 minutes, you’ll be a member, and the fun begins!

Three Membership Options

Harvest Hosts Classic: The cost is currently $99 and offers members the chance to choose from over 3,550 host locations. These hosts are a variety of farms, wineries, attractions, breweries, and distilleries.
Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome: The cost is currently $169, which ups the number of location options by adding in 3,139 Private Community Hosts. This gives you 6,689+ locations to choose from.
All Access: The cost is currently $179, and this adds 404 Golf Courses to the menu. Once you add up all of these locations, you’ll have 7,039+ locations to choose from across North America.

Using the Membership

One of the ways Harvest Hosts makes its members happy is by providing an easy-to-use platform. I have had other memberships that were really clunky and frustrating. Because of that, I simply didn’t utilize what they had to offer.

Harvest Hosts is not like that at all. It’s incredibly easy to request stays, communicate with the hosts, and plan future stays inside of the app.

You can do pretty much everything inside the Harvest Hosts App, and there are versions for both Android and Apple users. This makes the members' lives much easier. The only thing I prefer to do on the main website is search for stays. But that’s just because the screen is much larger.

When you request a stay, your host will have to approve it. I have only ever had a host take more than 24 hours to respond. It was one of the Boondockers Welcome Hosts, and the delay was because they were backpacking in the backcountry.

Other Membership Bonuses

One of the ways Harvest Hosts connects with other companies is by promoting special savings for its members on their site. This cross-pollinating of businesses hasn’t always been the norm, but it’s refreshing to see Harvest Hosts take that path.

Coming Together Is Paying Off

When times are tough, we have options as humans. We can either live in fear or move forward boldly. Harvest Hosts chose the latter and have invited every RVer and small business owner to come along for the ride.

Ready for your next adventure? Use the code ETRAILER at checkout to receive 15% off of your first year of membership to Harvest Hosts.

Written by: Harvest Hosts Team

Dan B.

8/27/2022

I think that rhis is very interesting, and as a long time ETrailer customer I like their association with this program. But I am being asked to buy something in the blind, can you share more or offer more derail? Dan

David B.

8/27/2022

Hey Dan, you can go to the main website for the Harvest Host group. It is linked on the page and I'll provide a link for you here too. There you can browse what they have to offer and look at an interactive map that will show you the locations of hosts. You can also request more specific information from them directly if you wish.

Helpful Links

https://harvesthosts.com/

David C.

8/26/2022

I have a pop up Four Wheel Camper with a cassette toilet and gray water hose run to a sealed container. Am I eligible to join Harvst Hosts?

David B.

8/26/2022

Here is one of the rules of conduct on their website. I'll post a link to the rest too. Your RV must have an interior toilet and built-in holding tanks for waste water, there are NO exterior tanks allowed. Porta-potties are ok but must be dumped offsite at an appropriate facility. The dumping of any gray/black water on host properties is prohibited. You must have interior cooking facilities. No tents of any kind are allowed.

Helpful Links

https://harvesthosts.com/code-of-conduct/

David C.

8/26/2022

@DavidB thanks for the quick rsvp774

Martin P.

8/26/2022

I Would like to see locations within specific areas, for me it would be Northwest, Wash., Or., Id., Mt.

David B.

8/26/2022

You can just use the map on the website. Use the mouse to drag the map to the location you want and you can zoom in or out to see more details on the area.

Helpful Links

https://harvesthosts.com/host-locations/

Steve H.

8/26/2022

Why I didn't think of this years ago. Great idea and concept. We will be joining the All Access and test it out during the next few months.

David B.

8/26/2022

Outstanding! Let us know where you visit and how it all works out! I love hearing travel stories.

Gary D.

8/26/2022

Why doesn't Harvest Host give at least the city that the camp site is closest to? All the map shows is a tractor for a farm. Is it nice, next to a pond or out in the middel of a pasture? Western states seem to have a lot less hosts!

David B.

8/26/2022

Just keep zooming in on the map Gary. It will show you the towns/cities.

Art A.

8/26/2022

Can I get a look at the list of available locations to see if it fits my typical camping / trout fishing travels? My travel / camping locations are specific to cold water stream / river access; not the typical tourist type routes. However, I am not opposed to enjoying other features of an area, even though my major motivation is finding good trout streams and rivers to fly fish. And helping support small businesses makes it even more interesting.

David B.

8/26/2022

You can request information from them directly. I think that would be the best option for you. However looking at the map on their site(linked below) I do not think you will have any problems finding a great location.

Helpful Links

https://harvesthosts.com/host-locations/

James R.

8/26/2022

Do these sights offer Vinyard view with any amenities in power, water , waist removal

David B.

8/26/2022

You would need to contact the sites themselves. You can Go to the host locations tab on their website(I'll link it too). There are so many optional sites that it would be a crazy long list, over 7130 locations, to have all that information for each place. Looking at the short list: 756 wineries, 1359 farms, 984 attraction, 488 breweries and distilleries, 3139 community hosts and 406 golf courses. I would have to say that some would probably have something for your needs or have it near by.

Helpful Links

https://harvesthosts.com/host-locations/

Show All (7) Replies

Hide Replies

Explore Expert Info

on Trailers

Videos

for Trailers

Help Articles

for Trailers

Expert Answers

for Trailers

Hollywood Racks RV and Camper Bike Racks Review - 2008 Tiffin Phaeton Motorhome

Bestop Supertop Collapsible Truck Bed Cover Review

Yakima CBX Solar Rooftop Cargo Box Review - 2020 Subaru Crosstrek

Yakima OverHaul HD and OutPost HD Truck Bed Ladder Racks Rotopax Mounting Kit Manufacturer Product T

Yakima Recovery Track Mount Review

Yakima LockNLoad Platform Rack Hi-Lift Jack Carrier Review and Installation

Yakima Road Shower Portable Water Tank Installation - 2021 Toyota Tacoma

Review of Roadmaster Tow Bar Braking Systems - Second Vehicle Breakaway Vehicle Kit - RM-98160

Hollywood Racks RV and Camper Bike Racks Review - 2022 Jayco Greyhawk Motorhome

Blue Ox Tow Bars BX8875 Review

Review of Go Power RV Solar Panels - Flexible 190 Watt Solar Panel Kit - GP67MR

Lippert Components Camper Jack - A-Frame Jack - LC285318 Review

Harvest Hosts

How to Make Your Next Boondocking Trip the Best Yet

Enjoy The 2024 Eclipse With Harvest Hosts

How to Replace an RV Roof Vent Cover

How to Replace or Install an RV Roof Vent

Harvest Hosts Can Help You Discover More of St. Louis

How to Use a Roof Rack (Like a Boss)

2023 Best Gifts for RVers & Campers

How Much Solar Power Do I Need For My RV?

Calculating Portable Generator Power Needs

What is Boondocking

Trailer Maintenance Schedule

Can a Fan be Installed in a Roof Vent that Does Not Have a Fan

All of the fans and fan motors that we offer are replacement items for roof vents that came with fans. If the roof vent in your trailer did not come with a fan, then you may be able to add a fan, but you will likely have to fabricate a mount for the…

view full answer...

Rhino Rack Vortex Aero Roof Rack for 2015 Toyota Tundra

Rhino Rack does indeed offer vortex aero options for your 2015 Tundra Crew Max. The rack would consist of the following parts: 59 inch crossbars in sliver, part #RRVA150S-2 or part #RRVA150B-2 for black Roof rack legs, part #RRRLKVA Vehicle specific…

view full answer...

Alternate Mounting of Rhino-Rack Dome 1300 Awning

The Rhino-Rack Dome 1300 Awning, #RR32125 is designed as a bolt-on mount that uses top channels in certain models of roof racks for attaching the L-brackets. See attached image. As is, the designed mounting hardware supplied does not match this to…

view full answer...

Can the Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbar System for a 2010 Ford F-150 Be Left On Through Car Wash

The Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbar System part #RRVA150B-2, part #RRRLKVA, and part #DK150 which is a fit for a 2010 Ford F150 can be left installed on the vehicle while driving through an automated car wash. However, the automated car wash must be…

view full answer...

How To Use Middle Legs on Lippert Ground Control 3.0 Without Controller

The reason you're having this issue is because the middle jacks on the Lippert Ground Control 3.0 (6 point set) #LC675817 aren't designed to be run independently and will only come down after auto-leveling has been completed. There is not a…

view full answer...

How To Determine Which Size SnapPad Will Fit Your RV

The SnapPad EQ Round Jack Pads for Equalizer Leveling Systems w/ 10" Round Jack Feet - Qty 4 Item #SP64FR4 will fit the feet on your 2017 35K Fleetwood Bounder as long as they are round and 10" in diameter. There is not a guide showing the…

view full answer...

How to Measure For Snap Pad Size on 2020 Fleetwood Pace Arrow

You will want to measure the overall diameter of your landing gear feet, so you will want to include the "lips" as shown in the accompanying photo. The SnapPad Jack Pads for Class A and C Motorhomes w/ 10" Round and 10" Octagon…

view full answer...

Picking Out Foot Pads for Jayco Precept 2015 35UP w/ Power Gear Leveling System

Measure the diameter of the feet of your Power Gear setup and we'll be able to determine if the #SP64FR4 is a fit. This part number is for 10 inch diameter feet which is most likely what you have. If you had 9 inch diameter feet instead you'd…

view full answer...

How to Lower Center Jacks on Lippert 3.0 Ground Control System

Pressing the left and right buttons together will activate the middle jacks on the Ground Control 3.0 #LC675817 which is how you'll need to lower them so that you can raise them up and clear the out of stroke error code. Try that and let me know…

view full answer...

What Hardware Comes With the Demco Spare Tire Carrier

The Demco Spare Tire Carrier for up to 4" Trailer Tongue - Silver #DM15851-52 only comes with the trailer installation mounting hardware. The carrier does not come with the hardware to mount your spare tire on the carrier. This includes the…

view full answer...

Spare Tire Carrier For a 8" Tall Trailer Frame That Holds A 4 Lug Or 5 Lug Bolt Pattern Up To 5-1/2"

The only spare tire carrier I can suggest for you is the Demco Spare Tire Carrier #DM15851-52. While this carrier is designed to fit frames up to 4" tall, you can source longer bolts to be able to attach it to your 8" tall frame. The Fulton…

view full answer...

Trailer Hitch Receiver Extension for Ford F-350 With 3" Receiver and Lance Camper

The TorkLift Cannon Hitch Extension #TLE1648 is a 48" receiver extension. This extension will allow for 300lbs of tongue weight and 3,000lbs towing. If you use a weight distribution hitch the weight capacity is 600lbs of tongue weight and…

view full answer...