Do You Have to Buy Something During a Harvest Hosts Stay?

If you’re new to Harvest Hosts or are considering becoming a Member, one of the most common questions you might have is: Do you have to buy something during a Harvest Hosts stay?

It’s a fair question, and an important one to know so you can fully understand the proper etiquette before you request a stay.

The short answer is: Yes, you are strongly encouraged to purchase something during your stay.

In this guide, we’ll explain how Harvest Hosts works, what’s expected of guests, and why making a purchase is an important part of the experience.

How Harvest Hosts Stays Work

Harvest Hosts is built on a simple idea: connecting RV travelers with local businesses across North America, allowing for more meaningful and exciting travel experiences.

Instead of paying a nightly camping fee for an overnight stay, members are asked to support the Host’s business.

This creates a different kind of exchange:

• You get a unique place to stay
• Hosts get exposure and support from travelers

Core Host types include:

• Wineries
• Farms
• Breweries and distilleries
• Attractions
• Golf courses

Browse more Host locations here.

Do You Have to Buy Something?

Yes, you should buy something! Your purchases at a Host location are the only way they get compensated for Hosting. Harvest Hosts does not pay businesses to Host, or take a cut of their earnings.

We recommend checking out the Host’s profile ahead of time to see what they have for sale, and make sure it matches what you’re willing to purchase. It can be a tangible good, an experience, a meal, a drink, or an amenity during your stay. We’re not expecting you to fill up your RV with products you don’t want.

Why Supporting Hosts Matters

When you stay at a Harvest Hosts location, you’re not staying at a campground—you’re staying at someone’s business.

That means:

• They’re offering space on their property
• They’re welcoming travelers into their environment
• They’re sharing their time, resources, and space

Making a purchase helps ensure:

• Hosts continue participating
• The program remains sustainable
• Future travelers can enjoy the same experience

What Kind of Purchases Are Typical?

The type of purchase depends on the host. Here are some common examples:

At Wineries

• Bottles of wine
• Tastings
• Merchandise

At Farms

• Fresh produce
• Eggs, meats, or dairy
• Honey
• Homemade goods

At Breweries

• Craft beer
• Non alcoholic beverages
• Food
• Branded merchandise

At Attractions

• Admission tickets
• Tours
• Gift shop items

At Markets or Shops

• Local products
• Artisan goods
• Specialty foods

Additionally, you may find that Hosts offer hookups for a fee or take donations - these are alternative ways you can support your Host when they offer a limited selection of products.

How Much Should You Spend?

We recommend spending $30 per night’s stay to make your stay financially worthwhile for your Host, but it’s not a hard rule. If there’s a stay where you only end up spending $25, your Host should not chase you down for an extra five dollars.

We find that on average, Members spend between $30-$50 at each Host location, before we even started this spending guideline.

What If You Get The Chance to Buy Anything?

While purchases are strongly encouraged, there may be situations where you don’t make one.

For example:

• The host is closed when you arrive
• You arrive late or leave early
• The Host’s business is closed during your stay, but they’re still taking overnight guests
• The offerings don’t fit your needs
• Your Host doesn’t have anything for sale (e.g., wildlife rescues and houses of worship)

If the Host’s business is closed when you arrive, we recommend patronizing the business before you leave the next day. If your Host doesn’t have anything for sale, or nothing you’d like to purchase, we recommend sending them a donation. Your Host’s profile may include a link for this.

Why This Model Works

Harvest Hosts is different from traditional camping, and that’s what makes it special.

For RVers

You get:

• Unique overnight experiences
• Scenic locations
• A more personal travel experience
• No nightly camping fees

For Hosts

They get:

• New customers
• Increased visibility
• Direct support from travelers

This balance is what makes the system sustainable—and why guest participation matters.

Tips for Supporting Your Host

If you want to make the most of your stay, here are a few simple ways to support your host beyond the financial aspect.

Engage with the Experience

Instead of just parking overnight:

• Join a tasting
• Take a tour
• Walk the property

The experience is part of what you’re there for.

Be Respectful of Time and Space

Follow arrival times, parking instructions, pet policies, and any other guidelines or house rules provided.

Leave a Positive Review

After your stay, leave a review to let other Members know about your great experience, and boost the Host’s number of stay requests.

Common Misunderstandings

Let’s clear up a few common misconceptions.

“It’s Free Camping”

While there’s no camping fee for one-night stays, it’s not truly “free” in the traditional sense. The expectation is that you’ll support the host in some way. And if you book extra nights at a Host location, there may be fees.

“I Can Stay Without Interacting”

While some hosts offer a more hands-off experience, engaging with the host is part of what makes these stays unique.

“It’s the Same as a Campground”

Harvest Hosts stays are:

• Short-term (usually one night)
• Experience-focused
• Less about amenities and more about connection
• Usually more scenic and serene

Final Thoughts

By supporting your host’s business during your stay, you’re

• Helping a small business thrive
• Helping sustain the program
• Enhancing your own travel experience

And often, those purchases become part of the memories you take home.

Because at the end of the day, Harvest Hosts isn’t just about where you park. It’s about the memories you make and the places you discover along the way.

For more information about the expectations of Harvest Hosts Members, check out the code of conduct.