Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome

[marret]

Anyone used Harvest Hosts and/or Boondockers Welcome?

As usual, I'm considering transit overnight options. Transit being the travel/getting to where one wants to spend time. Going to be heading west again soon and considering transit options.

I have heard mostly good things, but also within the last year or so these places are also more popular (maybe more crowded, no availability in small places, etc.) like many campgrounds and camp sites. I prefer to not use campgrounds except when resupply, laundry, etc. is needed.

Anyway, appreciate any comments and/or experiences. Thanks.

Websites for information:
https://harvesthosts.com/
https://www.boondockerswelcome.com/

[E-350]

That’s totally new to me, will have to check it out!

[dhally]

I looked in to Harvest Hosts. Deal breaker for us is they require RVs to be self contained. We have a porta pottie which doesn't qualify.

[marret]

My understanding after looking at it all again today is a portable toilet inside a camper is ok, but there is no dumping and one must dump it after they depart. Yep to being self contained so no outside shower use

From the website, note last part in different color text:

What type of vehicles are allowed?
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.

Traditional pop-up campers, otherwise known as folding camping trailers, where the middle and sides of the trailer pop up and out, are prohibited.

Also prohibited: Tents, such as ground tents or car rooftop tents; sleeping in cars, trucks, or minivans; overlanding in jeeps, bikes, or atvs.

We do allow hybrid (expandable) travel trailers where only the bed areas pop out, but the rest of the trailer is composed of four rigid sides. We allow camper vans where the bed area at the top of the van pops up (but again, the rest of the van has four rigid sides). We allow clamshell and teardrop trailers, but their outdoor cooking facilities may not be used while on Host properties (see below).

Important: All camping vehicles must be fully self-contained. Your RV must have an interior toilet and built-in holding tanks or bladders for waste water. Porta-potties that remain inside the vehicle at all times are acceptable, but must be dumped off-site at an appropriate facility. The dumping of gray water on Host properties is prohibited. You may only use your RV’s indoor cooking facilities at Host locations; the use of any outdoor cooking facilities is expressly prohibited.

[ShuttlePilot]

Hi marret.

I've pretty much deleted Harvest Hosts from my options based on reading the rules.. My "radical self reliant" friends seem to like using https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US to stay where there isn't boon-docking available. I haven't used it so no first hand experience yet. Just sharing an idea.

- Eric

[Twoxentrix]

I had investigated Harvest Host about two years ago, thought it was a novel idea. But moved on when I found there were a very limited number of participants involved (probably more now). I also looked at some pictures people posted about the places and many were in designated areas on the “host’s” premises that were very awkward (sides of barns, small clearing with no scenery, etc). Most didn’t offer anything like electricity or water - so it seemed more of a pre-authorized boon-dock scenario (which you pay for) than anything else. So, Never gave it another thought. Those restriction would opt me out as well.

[marret]

Issues you all note are certainly valid, exactly right on a pre-authorized boondock location. There isn't a cost, per se, for staying although the expectation is for a small purchase, and of course the annual membership.

I've pondered it as well for a couple years, but never joined either and am curious if anyone has actual experience. These locations are for transit only when other more suitable boondocking locations are not available. They would absolutely be better than a Walmart although they are never my first choice for a transit RON location.

My wife will never stay in a Walmart parking lot again after the first time when we were woken up at 2 am by a guy with a backpack blower and a street sweeper.

Thanks for the input.

[Twoxentrix]

Would get real excited if a bunch of Wineries & Distilleries would get involved. They could easily establish a 4 bottle minimum/day (per person would also be acceptable), provide a place to park/sleep without worrying about driving - rinse, repeat. It would take at least 4 or 5 days to get us to leave.
Years ago we had the opportunity to stay a couple days in the Estancia guest cottage which was located out in the Vineyard - invited some friends, and remember it like it was yesterday (well, most of it anyway).
IMHO that would be an exceptional time!

[pjpvi]

My wife and I use Harvest Host (and now Boondockers Welcome) with our travel trailer and have really enjoyed staying at wineries, breweries, and distilleries (no judging ... haha). I haven't used with the van as I'm on different type of trips when I'm in the van. We've also used Hipcamp a couple times and it has worked out well when needed (again, with the travel trailer, not the van).

When I'm in the van I'm normally off the grid somewhere so it doesn't apply there.

[marret]

Yeah, what's not to like when overnighting at a winery, brewery or distillery?

Thanks for sharing first hand experience Phil.