Are Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome really the same platform?

Have you considered a membership with Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome?

In 2021, Harvest Hosts purchased the Boondockers Welcome platform and they have been integrating the platforms since then.

The camping programs are distinctly different though in that Harvest Hosts is more centered around businesses like farms, wineries, breweries, etc offering short 24-hour overnight stays and no hook-ups.

On the other hand, Boondockers Welcome is more like an individual host offering single to multi-night stays on their personal property, usually with hook-ups and sometimes with extra amenities like laundry.

In both cases, there is usually no fee paid (free camping!) to the host for an overnight, unless they otherwise state it in the listing (like for hook-ups, etc) and the apps make it really easy to contact the hosts for even a same-day booking in many cases.

A photo with text advertising a Harvest Hosts experienceand a picture an RV in a field.
Why should you camp with Harvest Hosts?

What is Harvest Hosts?

Harvest Hosts is a camping platform that brings together hosts that are RV & Skoolie-friendly to spend one night at their place of business.

These experiences are usually hosted through small businesses like:

  • farms
  • wineries
  • golf courses
  • breweries
  • distilleries
  • other attractions

How many locations does Harvest Hosts have?

Harvest Hosts has almost 4,000 camping locations that are great for RVers, whether you are in a more traditional vehicle or a skoolie (“school bus conversion”) like us. During our six-month skoolie tour of the east coast of the USA, we camped at over 10 locations using Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome as a family of five.

Is Harvest Hosts free?

In short, no. Annually, you’ll pay a Harvest Hosts membership fee starting at $99/year. Snag our discount code for 15% off! Additionally, the hosts and platform request that you shop at the business that you are camping at to support them, though the overnight camping spot itself is free.

Is Harvest Hosts worth joining?

In our opinion, it was. Our family of five traveled for six months full-time in our school bus conversion. During that time, we stayed at over 5 Harvest Hosts locations. We found the platform to be very user-friendly (both on website and mobile with the app), the hosts responded quickly (many for same-day bookings) and there were many camping locations to choose from along our route.

Though Harvest Hosts recommends you frequent and shop from the place of business that is hosting you, we found that to be a win-win for all parties because we were probably going to visit the business anyway. We parked on their property after all and wanted to explore after a long day of travel.

Is Harvest Hosts safe?

As a family of five, we only desired to stay at safe camping grounds. We felt comfort when we booked overnight stays with Harvest Hosts and all hosts that we spoke with were communicative and friendly.

Every host that lists on the Harvest Hosts platform must:

  1. Describe in detail the camping location(s), and
  2. Provide listing photos, so you can get a good idea of the type of location you’ll be camping.

Does Harvest Hosts have hookups?

No, hosts with Harvest Hosts typically do not provide hookups for overnight stays. However, the sister platform, Boondockers Welcome, does offer hookups for campers.

Does harvest host allow skoolies or school bus conversions?

Yes! According to the Harvest Hosts website, school bus conversions are allowed! The platform allows for self-contained vehicles, like a skoolie or schoolie. We personally used Harvest Hosts when traveling in our skoolie because it was so friendly to our type of rig.

All classes of RV’s are allowed (Class A, Class B, Class C) including motorhomes, fifth wheel trailers, travel trailers, toy haulers, camper vans, truck campers, and schoolies. Vehicles towed behind RVs are also allowed at our Host locations.

Harvest Hosts Website

Does harvest host allow camper vans?

Yes! According to the Harvest Hosts website, it states that the platform allows camper vans, vans designed for living quarters that is self-contained. The van must have four rigid sides, though a pop up roof for a bed is allowed. Something like a mini-van would not be allowed.

How many Harvest Hosts sites are there?

There are nearly 4,000 hosts sites available across North America. The Harvest Host locations are made up of a variety of business like wineries, breweries, farms, museums and much more.

How do you get a membership discount with Harvest Hosts?

To get 15% off your membership with Harvest Hosts, use our link to register.

What’s the difference between Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome?

From our personal experience using both platforms frequently during our skoolie tour, I would say the primary differences between Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Wecome is as follows.

Harvest Hosts

  • Are usually small businesses like farms, wineries, breweries and even some golf communities
  • Don’t offer hook-ups
  • Offer a 24-hour “overnight” stay
  • Cannot request multi-night stays
  • Won’t be parking on private property (since the host is usually a business)
  • Business purchases are encouraged

Boondockers Welcome

  • Hook-ups are available at 70% of the host locations
  • Can stay multiple nights
  • Parking on private property
  • No business purchase is encouraged

Take a look at the infographic below that shows in-detail the differences between the two sister platforms.


Image detailing the differences between Harvest Hosts & Boondockers Welcome
What are the differences between Harvest Hosts & Boondockers Welcome?

Can I get a membership discount with Boondockers Welcome?

Yes! Get 15% when you get an annual membership with Boondockers Welcome when you

  1. Use our link
  2. Enter the code “BWFRIENDS15” at check-out
An illustration logo of Boondockers Welcome

Disclaimer: We are affiliates of Harvest Hosts & Boondockers Welcome, which means if you purchase a membership with them, we get a small compensation.

Ingrid
Ingrid

Swedish-American mom, wife, travel vlogger & property manager. I like drawing on my iPad at cafes when I have a moment alone, and the idea of hiking and nordic skiing!

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