How to skip paying for campsite, buy wine instead

Camping purists, this probably isn’t for you.

This style of camping isn’t about backpacking through the wilderness and camping rain-or-shine in a tiny tent.

This is about finding a unique destination to park your RV for the night, and, more than anything, it’s about supporting small, family-owned businesses.

It’s all facilitated by a business called Harvest Hosts, a yearly membership that connects travelers to more than 2,000 unique destinations across the U.S.

“Since COVID, we’ve seen an uptick as people still want to travel but are making sure to do it safely,” said Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts.

Here’s how it works. Members pay a yearly fee of about $80 to get access to host locations across the country. The idea is that campers will then spend money at the winery, brewery or wherever they’re staying.

Many of the hosts are wineries or breweries, though South Dakota’s 17 destinations also include golf courses, distilleries, small farms and more.

Sioux Falls-area locations include Wilde Prairie Winery in Brandon, Humble Hill Winery in Garretson and Schade Winery in Volga.

During the pandemic, hosting campers has given businesses another option to bring in customers. Host locations don’t have to pay anything to participate.

“We’re ecstatic that Harvest Hosts was able to help so many small farms, businesses and other attractions … stay open and operational during such a trying time,” Holland said.

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