HarvestHost......anyone using it?

As I see it, one of the benefits of RVing is the ability to park when needed, where needed, for free. The "free" part helps immensely with the cost of fuel for people like me who watch their expenditures.

With that said, we are most comfortable in Walmart parking lots, followed by rest areas. Places like Cabela's and Cracker Barrel don't suit us because of the lack of other RVers, and that those places are closed during over-night hours. There is something to be said about "activity and safety in numbers".

I can see taking advantage of HarvetHost if those are places you like to patronize.

As far as dumping waste water and replenishing fresh water, there are enough opportunities throughout.

Hmmm .... from what I can see - Harvest Hosts does show a zoomable map window at the link below, where you even can filter the types of hosts you want to see by clicking on the map filter icons at the bottom of the map window. You don't have to be a member to see this map that's available right on their general website.

What you can't see - unless a member - is specific details on each host, but you do know where each host is located on the map for trip planning. If you're a member, you can see specific host details on each host by clicking on each host location symbol on the map.

Here's the link: https://harvesthosts.com/host-locations/

Yes, the lack of a real map showing the HH sites prior to joining is really a poor business decision IMHO. We're all grown adults who have $$ to spend on memberships that may benefit us as well as the product being sold (overnighting). But "sight unseen" leaves an empty feeling inside and warning flags galore.

valhalla360 wrote:
The reason we haven't signed up is they don't let you see what sites are available until you pay for membership. They give some C&B story about protecting the privacy of hosts but that makes no sense as the whole point is it acts as a form of marketing to get people to these businesses.

Yeah, that's an obvious deal breaker.

I would consider signing up if I knew in my general RV path that I'd have places to stay; otherwise, what's the point if there is only one or two even remotely nearby?

They could at least develop a map with general locations or a general density map demonstrating areas of higher availability (of locations/member spots).

Bummer...I like the idea though.

chris3403 wrote:
I haven't found any campgrounds that charge less than $35 a night, the last place I stayed at wanted $60 for the night.
I've been a member of Harvest Hosts for over 6 years and never felt pressured to buy anything, that being said I do drink wine so I usually by at east 2 bottles. Once we just did the wine tasting for $10, 5 each. Once they let us do the wine tasting for free because we were members of HH.
I've never had a bad experience and would rather stay at a HH rather than a campground.
Downfall to HH's is usually no dump stations or free wifi or electric.
They do have some of the prettiest locations that we have ever seen.
We are also members of boondockerswelcome,com

Lots of RV parks under $35/n. You may want to use something like Passport America but even without that, if you watch, you can often find parks for less.

Harvest hosts can be OK if you are on the move only stopping for a night or two but yeah, the expectation to buy from the host, essentially negates much of the savings unless you would have stopped and spent money there anyway. And right on the HH website, they make it very clear you are expected to buy something.

The reason we haven't signed up is they don't let you see what sites are available until you pay for membership. They give some C&B story about protecting the privacy of hosts but that makes no sense as the whole point is it acts as a form of marketing to get people to these businesses.

We're lifetime members of HH and when the weather is nice we stay at HH places along our route. Wineries are our preferred stopover and we've found some that we really like. We recently stayed at the Tallahassee Auto Museum twice. Did the tour the first stop and just spent the night when passing through again.
That being said we've never felt pressured to buy anything. On the contrary most hosts are very appreciative if we buy anything from them. We've been to some HH's that the hosts were happy to see us and others where we didn't even see the hosts. Such a variety.

Dump stations here
And here

A lot of the listings are campgrounds, but there are also gas stations, city wastewater sites, rest areas, etc. You just have to look through the list or on the map of your chosen area. Note that some of the listings may not be up to date, so I would always call first.

I haven't found any campgrounds that charge less than $35 a night, the last place I stayed at wanted $60 for the night.
I've been a member of Harvest Hosts for over 6 years and never felt pressured to buy anything, that being said I do drink wine so I usually by at east 2 bottles. Once we just did the wine tasting for $10, 5 each. Once they let us do the wine tasting for free because we were members of HH.
I've never had a bad experience and would rather stay at a HH rather than a campground.
Downfall to HH's is usually no dump stations or free wifi or electric.
They do have some of the prettiest locations that we have ever seen.
We are also members of boondockerswelcome,com

The iffy part of HH is how much do you spend/donate to "show your appreciation" for your hosts? The HH suggested minimum is $20. I can see people spending 5 times that for any number of reasons. I'd rather use a commercial CG, NPS CG, State Park, freeway Rest Area, where I know the price up front, and it's done, no strings attached. No guilt or hard feelings if someone expects more than you decided to pay. Just my opinion.

these folks use it

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=embracing+detours

great channel