Anyone heard of harvest hosts (free camping database)

rvshrinker wrote:
I did, nothing showed up. I'll search again.

Using Google for finding forum posts can, in many instances, generate more results by using this search form: site:rv.net harvesthosts.com

rvshrinker - don't be discouraged by members here telling you to "look it up." You came here to hear from other people, so here goes:

We first heard of Harvest Hosts before we owned a travel trailer. I thought it sounded like a great program, so as soon as we got our trailer I signed up for Harvest Hosts. That was about 4 years ago I think. We are still members, renewing each year, so that should tell you something. There are some limitations to the program, but as long as you understand them and work within them, it's a great program. Here are some of the things I like:

* wineries and farms are fun places to stay, usually
* wineries and farms are typically small business, and you can usually meet the owners, talk with them, and get to know some fascinating people. This to me is the very best part.
* most of the places we've stayed are really quiet at night after the businesses have closed down for the night
* we've gotten off the interstates and into some areas of the country that we wouldn't have seen otherwise

We usually use HH when we're on our way to a distant destination that requires more than one day of travel. The HH's serve as overnights along the way. Sometimes we need to go a little off a straight course between point A and point B, but that's OK with us (leads to my final bulleted point above.) Occasionally we'll set up a short HH-to-HH trip just to get away from home for a few days. It can be fun to set out without a specific end-point destination, letting the string of HH's be our destinations. Again - not something we would do if we weren't in a program like HH.

About a year or so ago the original owners (founders) of HH sold the business. Almost immediately the annual membership fee went up significantly. At the same time, a change began to occur: lots of new hosts announced, and lots of old hosts dropped out of the program (without any announcement.) A few places that had become favorite stops for us are no longer in the program. No explanation as to why. It makes me wonder if the new owners are doing something to cause these dropouts. There must be a reason.

We still love our HH membership and what it opens up for us. I guess if you already love wineries and farms, that helps a lot.

-Speak

My back up to freecampsites is Campenium. They too, have a filter system. Both are totally free.

Check out Travleing Robert on You tube. He stayed at one. It can be hit or miss. Some places are nice and out in the country. Others are in a parking lot in the city.