Frequently Asked Questions

Qualified self-contained vehicles include motor homes (classes A, C and B), fifth-wheels, travel trailers, hybrid trailers and truck campers. All vehicles must have INTERIOR toilets, BUILT- IN gray water tanks and INTERIOR cooking facilities (NO EXCEPTIONS). Sorry, but pop-up tent trailers of any style and clam shell kitchens are not allowed.  All other vehicles including tiny houses, converted vans, custom conversions and buses must be approved – please email us descriptions and photos before joining. No tents of any kind allowed.
 

Self-contained means that your RV MUST have an INTERIOR toilet and BUILT IN holding tanks for waste water. You must have INTERIOR cooking facilities and be able to supply your own power and water. Porta-potties are acceptable but must be dumped off-site at an appropriate location. Gray water tanks must be built-in. No buckets or portable containers. No exceptions. If your vehicle is found to be non-compliant, your membership will be terminated without refund.
 

We’re sure you’re a very nice person, but as the Hosts are not campgrounds, we have made a commitment to only send qualified, completely self-contained RVs to overnight. We have tried to make our requirements very clear and it is always difficult for us when nice people ask us to make an exception, but we are asked frequently.  It wouldn’t be fair to make an exception for you and then say no to the next person.  We are sorry to disappoint you but it is our duty to look at the bigger picture and at what the consequences would be if we disregarded the requirements and commitments that have been set for the program.

Membership is $49/year, and it lasts for 12 months from the date you join. There are options for auto-renewal ($45), 3 year ($115) and lifetime ($300) memberships.

You will receive a $4.00 discount on your membership each year you renew through the Auto-Renewal Program.  Your card will be charged on your expiration date and your membership will renew for an additional 12 months.  If you change your mind you can opt out without any fee at any time up to your renewal date by emailing us.  Membership changes after that date may incur a $4.00 transaction fee.

Harvest Hosts is an online program.  A username and password give you access to the Members website where you can:

• Download your Harvest Hosts membership card and vehicle badge;
• Download the free Harvest Hosts App;
• Customize Host Lists;
• Search the interactive Map of Host locations;
• Prepare custom trip routing;
• Download a free Host Directory – downloadable/printable listings that include the size and number of vehicles accepted at each Host along with contact information, GPS coordinates, business hours and type of operation;
• Upload and read comments, reviews and photos directly on the Host pages or from the App.

We do ask that you make a purchase to thank your Host. It is the only compensation they receive for their hospitality. When considering how much to spend, please consider how much money you are saving by not being in a campground.  We suggest spending a minimum of $20 in support of your Host.

The Hosts are, first and foremost, farms and do not provide the services that you would find at a campground.  However, a small number of the Hosts do offer electricity or water. This will be called out on the Host page.

Yes, but please be courteous and ask beforehand so that the Host can park you where no one will be disturbed by it. If you are parked near the Host’s neighbors, please use your generator sparingly.

Approximately 80% of the Hosts can accept vehicles of any length. Icons are used on the Host listing to indicate the vehicle length accepted at each Host. The Class A (coach) icon denotes vehicles of all lengths; a Class C icon denotes up to 44 ft in total length; and a Class B (van) icon denotes vehicles up to 29 ft in total length. These lengths INCLUDE any trailer or towed vehicle. If you are comfortable disconnecting your tow, then you are welcome to classify your vehicle by the length of only the RV.

Harvest Hosts is set up as an overnight program with stays of a maximum of 24 hours. At your Host’s discretion he/she may invite you to stay an additional night but we discourage multiple night stays as to not “wear out our welcome”.

Please make a purchase to show your appreciation to your Host.  This is their incentive to allow you to park overnight.  You’ll enjoy buying local products and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping a small business grow and thrive.  If you don’t see anything for yourself, please consider purchasing a gift for a friend.

Do not arrive without calling first! The Hosts appreciate advance notice and we request that you call a day ahead. By calling ahead, you can ensure that the Host (1) is open and can accommodate you, (2) can tell you if there is a special entrance and (3) can be specific about where you should park when you arrive. Be sure to ask for the contact person listed in the Host Directory; new employees may not always be up-to-date.

Not only do you need to call ahead to arrange your visit, you must arrive during the Host’s business hours.  Interacting with the Hosts as well as supporting them with a purchase is an integral part of Harvest Hosts.  Make your stop your destination, arrive early enough to enjoy your visit and make new friends.

Supervised children are welcome at all of the Hosts, especially at the farms and attractions. Wineries, breweries and distilleries are typically geared toward adult visitors but as long as your children are supervised they are welcomed there as well.

Nearly all Hosts permit pets on a leash at your vehicle.  Please note that farm dogs may be present, so if a pet is accompanying you, please check with your Host before bringing them out.  Please be a responsible pet owner and clean up after your pets. Pets may only be allowed in parking areas.

We understand that many RVers travel with only loosely laid out plans so that they have the flexibility to change their routes or stay longer in places that they’ve found. With this in mind, we have designed Harvest Hosts so that you need only to provide the Hosts with as little as 24 hours notice that you’d like to visit.

If you like to plan out your trip and stick to an itinerary, we recommend calling the Host and asking if you can set a date to visit no more than 2 weeks in advance. As the Hosts are not campgrounds, they do not have reservation systems and are unable to “reserve” dates months in advance. Likewise, if you have already arranged a date to visit and you change your plans, please let the Hosts know so that they are not waiting for you to arrive as scheduled.

Some Hosts may be closed until the start of their growing season.  This is generally true of most farms wherever they are located, however most wineries, breweries and museums are open either year-round or beginning in April.  Be sure to check as many Hosts are still open by appointment.

We understand that you may prefer to see the list of Hosts before joining, but we know you will understand that the Hosts do not want their information posted on the public portion of the website. Non-members can view the general locations on the public Host Map page.

Most wineries have gift shops with lots of interesting items and local products available for purchase.  If this makes you uncomfortable, there are hundreds of non-alcohol venues for you to visit.

No problem, you’ll be able to print your Membership Card right from the Members’ website. No printer? No problem. Email yourself the card as an attachment and save it to your phone, tablet or computer.

Not at all.  Hosts are offering you an overnight stay as an opportunity to meet new people and have fun, new experiences.

Absolutely!  Many of the Hosts are small operations and gladly welcome extra help.  If you are interested, ask when calling.

The Host Directory is available for free as a download in PDF format.  You can save the Directory to your computer or smart phone to have available whenever you want to find a Host.  Should you desire one, a printed copy of the Host Directory is available from our publisher for an additional fee.

Yes, but please be considerate and use jack pads on asphalt as heavy weight can cause damage.

Approximately 80 percent of the Hosts are able to accommodate any length RV. Vehicle size accommodated is shown on each Host’s listing. We recommend that you inform your Host of your vehicle length when calling to arrange your visit.

The Hosts are inviting you to their properties to introduce you to their way of life and what they produce. They hope that you will appreciate what they have created and will make a purchase either for yourself or a friend. This is the only compensation they receive for inviting you to stay overnight.

Yes, self-contained rental vehicles are invited to join. Just enter “rental” on your membership form in place of a license plate number.

Can’t find the answer to your question? Feel free to contact us, we are always ready to assist.