Consider Setting up Camp at Wineries and Farms (With Permission)
The journey looks very different now than it did at the beginning of the year. Most of these changes reflect social distancing guidelines and COVID-19 precautions, and the way travelers choose accommodation is no exception. While many hotels have taken action to stop the spread of the virus, some people would rather not have much contact with strangers.
Vacation rentals booked through sites like Airbnb or VRBO gained popularity during the pandemic, but even with the promise of improved cleaning procedures, some don’t like the idea of staying in another person’s home. This whole situation makes camping an attractive option – even for those who usually don’t want to sleep in a tent. Sure, you can rent a camper van and sleep there, but they can be expensive and it can be difficult to find a place to park overnight.
Of course, you also need to find a place to set up a shop for the night (or multiple nights) when you are camping in your tent. Conventional camping sites like parks and campgrounds have been particularly crowded this summer (it turns out everyone had the same idea), which isn’t ideal during a pandemic and probably makes it unreasonable why you’re camping in the first place … Fortunately, there is another option: camping at certain wineries and farms . Here’s what you need to know.
How to camp at a winery or farm
Before we go any further, let’s be clear that we strongly advise against going to a winery or farm and camping there without the permission of the property owners. Do not do this. But what you can do is check out everything in the area where you intend to see if they offer campgrounds.
With small businesses of all kinds trying to find new sources of income, a decent number of wineries and farms across the country have decided to offer campgrounds. If you have a specific location, check out their website and social media to see if it’s being advertised (or just give them a call).
If not, the easiest way to find a place is to use sites like Hipcamp and Harvest Hosts , which work like Airbnb, but for camping. It will be an adventure and you will be able to meet some really interesting people. Plus, roughing can be a little easier thanks to direct access to fresh produce and wine.