Quick Facts:
- Deal: The Choice Hotels Harvest Hosts agreement, announced September 30, 2026.
- Price: About $130 million enterprise value, all cash.
- Seller: Stripes and other shareholders.
- Expected close: October 1, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
- Brand: Harvest Hosts will stay standalone with CEO Joel Holland.
- Best for: Overlanders and truck camper owners who use host stays.
5 min read
In This Article
Overview
The Choice Hotels Harvest Hosts deal would put a large RV overnight-stay membership under a hotel franchisor. On September 30, 2026, Choice agreed to buy 100% of Harvest Hosts for an enterprise value of about $130 million. Stripes, a New York growth equity firm, also agreed to sell its stake, along with other shareholders.
Harvest Hosts sells annual memberships. Members park a self-contained RV overnight at small businesses such as wineries, farms, breweries and museums, with no camping fee. Choice also puts the network at more than 11,200 host locations.
The release announces no change to plans, prices or host rules. However, it leaves several questions open. This article covers what is known, what is not, and what it means for a truck camper or 4×4 rig.
Before your first host stay, check each host profile. Harvest Hosts says every profile describes the surface or setting of each spot. Pack leveling blocks and wheel chocks in case the lot slopes.
Leveling gear for uneven host lots
Andersen Hitches 2-Pack Camper Leveler Blocks for RVs and Trailers …
Key Facts at a Glance
These are the terms Choice Hotels and Harvest Hosts stated in the September 30 release.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Buyer | Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH) |
| Seller | Stripes and other shareholders |
| Price | About $130 million enterprise value, all cash |
| Funding | Cash on hand and Choice’s revolving credit facility |
| Expected close | October 1, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions |
| Leadership | Joel Holland stays as CEO |
| Brand | Standalone, under the existing name |
| Not announced | Membership prices, fees, host terms, rewards ties |
What the Choice Hotels Harvest Hosts Deal Says
Choice calls the purchase a move into outdoor and RV travel for value-minded travelers. Notably, the release says research shows Choice Privileges members over-index among RV travelers. Choice therefore sees a natural way to connect its loyal travelers with the Harvest Hosts network.
Harvest Hosts will keep operating as a standalone business under its existing brand. Joel Holland stays on as CEO alongside the current leadership team. The full team becomes Choice employees at close, while the release says the member and host experience is preserved.
Holland said the deal helps Harvest Hosts “accelerate our mission of creating millions of happier campers and communities.” Choice also gains the rest of the family, including Escapees RV Club, Boondockers Welcome, CampScanner and Brit Stops.
The release gives October 1, 2026 as the expected closing date. However, it does not confirm the deal has closed.
What the Release Leaves Out
Membership pricing is missing. For example, Harvest Hosts listed three annual plans on its plans page on October 2, 2026: Classic at $99, Harvest Hosts plus Boondockers Welcome at $169, and All Access at $179. Meanwhile, the release announces no change to those prices.
Host expectations are also missing. Harvest Hosts suggests spending about $30 at the host’s business for each one-night stay. The release says nothing about rewards, points or discounts for Choice Privileges members. Yet it speaks of connecting loyal travelers with the network.
Two host counts differ. The release cites more than 11,200 host locations, while the largest plan on the Harvest Hosts plans page lists 9,600 or more. Choice does not explain the gap, so treat both counts with care.
Who Qualifies for Harvest Hosts Today
Harvest Hosts requires a fully self-contained rig, with an interior toilet and onboard waste tanks. Because of the self-contained RV requirement, your rig decides whether this deal matters to you. Truck campers, camper vans, travel trailers, fifth wheels and motorhomes qualify if self-contained, according to Harvest Hosts.
Rooftop Tent Eligibility for Overland Rigs
Rooftop tent eligibility is a flat no. Harvest Hosts says tents, rooftop tents and vehicles without a built-in toilet do not fit the program. A Wrangler or a Tacoma with a rooftop tent therefore does not meet the rule. The deal changes nothing for those rigs.
What the Choice Hotels Harvest Hosts Deal Means for You
If you are a current member, expect no change on day one. The release describes a standalone brand and announces no new rules. Since annual plans renew one year after you join, Harvest Hosts sends reminder emails before charging your card. Use the renewal email to compare the price against what you paid.
If you do not qualify, or prefer not to pay, free camping alternatives exist. Dispersed camping on public land is often free, and our guide on how to find free camping covers the basics. Our state-by-state list of free dispersed camping in the USA also names specific areas. Boondockers Welcome has more than 3,300 private-property hosts, yet it belongs to the Harvest Hosts family, so it sits inside this deal.
Truck camper owners already know the routine from boondocking with a truck camper. Plan host nights without hookups. Some hosts offer electric or water hookups for a small fee, but Harvest Hosts calls hookups a nice-to-have. Many hosts allow brief generator use during the day, while quiet hours overnight are the norm. Your battery bank therefore powers the rig after dark. Our look at off-grid power for overlanding shows what has changed.
Because a fridge, lights and a fan draw power overnight, a portable power station helps on a host stay without hookups.
Portable power for hookup-free nights
Final Thoughts
My read on the Choice Hotels Harvest Hosts deal is simple. The standalone brand plan matters more than the $130 million figure. Members care about the host list, the price and the rules. However, the release leaves price and rules open, so the plan is no guarantee.
If your truck camper or van meets the self-contained RV requirement, Harvest Hosts stays a low-cost way to sleep somewhere memorable. With a rooftop tent, free camping alternatives such as dispersed camping are still your best fit. They also need no membership.
Next, plan your trip around what is known today. Then review each host profile before you book, and open your renewal email when it arrives. Either way, book the host whose profile matches your rig.
FAQ
Who owns Harvest Hosts after the Choice Hotels deal?
Choice Hotels agreed to buy 100% of Harvest Hosts from Stripes and other shareholders. The release gives October 1, 2026 as the expected closing date and does not confirm completion.
How much did Choice Hotels pay for Harvest Hosts?
Choice agreed to pay an enterprise value of about $130 million in cash. It will fund the purchase with cash on hand and its revolving credit facility.
Will Harvest Hosts prices change after the Choice Hotels deal?
The release announces no price change. Harvest Hosts also listed Classic at $99, Harvest Hosts plus Boondockers Welcome at $169 and All Access at $179 per year on October 2, 2026.
Do you need a self-contained RV for Harvest Hosts?
Yes. The program requires an interior toilet and onboard waste tanks. Truck campers and camper vans qualify when they meet this rule.
Is a rooftop tent allowed on Harvest Hosts?
No. Harvest Hosts says tents, rooftop tents and vehicles without a built-in toilet are not eligible.
Related Reading
Sources: Choice Hotels press release and the Harvest Hosts plans page.